Influences: Carlos Santana and José Feliciano take Spain’s most celebrated (non-alcoholic) invention and lift the music to new levels. ¡Arriba!

Kickin’ in Your Stall: Carl Gustafson on the dubious virtues of lubricating the vocal cords with beer

Festivals: Lakes, rivers, oceans east and west, mountains or downtown, upcoming festivals worth the journey

On The Record: The White Stripes create an Alternate Universe in just 700 MB: The question is, Do you want to live there? Del McCoury Band, on the other hand, shows us the way to Heaven. Willie Nile, Peter Rowan, Popa Chubby, Rodrigo y Gabriela and others remain earthbound—but barely.

Also Appearing: Southside Johnny gives his considerable all, Adam Gussow gives us a good read on life lessons learned on or near stages, and Bob, Bruce and Kenny Wayne on DVD

Re.Issues: Do you really know who Leonard Cohen is? Meet a low-key Renaissance man and his music. Foo Fighters, Mugwumps, Maynard Ferguson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and a few more groups with normal names… just kidding, no normal names, just good music

Collecting: Sometimes you go to a record store not to buy, but to bond. Treasures Arnie Goodman found at Village Music and Finyl Vinyl, before they closed