taste of mn

Sunday, the Fourth of July itself, culminates with fireworks, but before the rockets’ red glare, the CP tent has its best back-to-back acts of the festival with the high-steppin’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band at 4:15, followed by the East Texas gumbo and grit of Marcia Ball at 6. Here is the DDBB at this year’s Heritage and Jazz Festival in New Orleans, and here they are in club last October. Marcia Ball’s terrific version of “Big Shot” from Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa can be heard here. After Ball, the headliner Counting Crows can be a tad too precious at times, butoccasionally hits the melodic sweet spot. Not a bad way to while away the time before the fireworks.Monday extends the festival a fourth day, and all six acts on the Red House Stage are recommended, but especially Ray Bonneville, whose wry wit, sage insights and steady, chug-a-lug rhythms are reminiscent of J.J. Cale. Here he is performing “Going By Feel” on guitar and harmonica. His 3 p.m. set presents a little conflict when the fine and sharp hip-hop band The Taste of Minnesota 2010 is a great place to take the family for a nice mini-vacation. However, charging up to $30 for this event is ludicrous. It was FREE 2 years ago. Especially during this recession every penny counts and this is not fair. For more information on the fair please go to the Taste of Minnesota 2010 main website at: Faris and his partners believe Taste will now rival the Twin Cities’ three most popular summer music soirees, all of which cost more: the July 9-10 Basilica Block Party ($35-$45 per day), last weekend’s Rock the Garden concert ($40 per ticket) and the Minnesota State Fair ($9-$11 admission, plus $22-$70 for grandstand tickets).