Concert crown jewels: The best places to see concerts in Utah continue to be Red Butte Garden and the Deer Valley Amphitheatre. Once again, both provided stellar lineups in 2007 including Chris Isaak, Ryan Adams, Lyle Lovett and Tony Bennett.

Just as good: But let's not forget the sound systems at the USANA Amphitheatre and The Depot, and the long list of concerts brought to those venues by United Concerts. Consistent as always. United also scored big points this year for changing USANA into a more environmentally friendly concert venue.

Best annual holiday bash: Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Keeps getting bigger and better each year.

Neither rain nor snow ... The annual X-96 BASH was forced indoors for the first time because of bad weather. Combine that with LDS General Conference weekend, and you had a poorly attended show despite good performances from Social Distortion and Jimmy Eat World.

Roots rockers hit big at Suede: Roots rock and independent bands had a big year in Utah, thanks to Park City's Club Suede. Todd Snider, Cracker, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Cross Canadian Ragweed and The Drive-by Truckers were just some of the acts that made an appearance or two.

Speaking of RCPM: "One of the best live bands on the planet. (Roger Clyne &) The Peacemakers are one of the rare acts you can go see, having never heard them, and leave a huge fan." Not my words. Rather, a comment left on the Deseret Morning News' message board. But I'm not going to disagree. New songs being debuted in Mexico in January, and the News will be there. Stay tuned.

Best reason '80s bands should keep touring: Tesla. Their July show at Saltair was their best in years.

Best reason old guys should keep touring: Rush. Billy Joel. Rush especially still pumps out worthy new songs and delivers such high-energy, well-produced concerts that you'd swear the Canadian trio was still in their 20s (OK, maybe early 30s).

Most predictable set list: Poison. The band somehow still has enthusiasm, and remarkably still plays amphitheaters, but their shows are as fresh as Bret Michaels' crusty headbands.

Best comeback: Great White. No, really! With the members of the pre-fire lineup reunited, sober and in a good headspace, it's a treat watching what a group of veteran musicians can do. I'm not saying if you hated Great White before you'll like them now. But from what they were just a couple of years ago, they've rebounded well.

Biggest potty mouth: Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. A few swear words here and there is expected at rock shows. Pearcy, however, managed to drop the F-bomb every time he addressed the crowd in just about every #$%* sentence.

Reunion? What reunion?: Utah no-shows in 2007 ... Van Halen, The Police, Genesis. Just sayin'.

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com