Oh My God's triumphant appearance at the MidPoint Music Festival six weeks ago was more than merely a great gig by a renowned Chicago band with a fervent Queen City following. It was a celebration of survival, a transcendent Rock show that tapped into the joie de vive of life itself.  

Tom Moon, long a music journalist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and NPR, had a daunting task narrowing the field for his new book, "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die." There is room for both Wagner's "Gotterdammerung," as performed by the Vienna Philharmonic, and the soundtrack to "Trainspotting"; Benny Goodman's "Complete 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert" and the Mars Volta's recent "The Bedlam in Goliath." Not to mention Arvo Part, Dolly Parton, Pavement, Johnny Paycheck, Steve Reich, Pere Ubu, Art Pepper, Public Enemy, Puccini and Propellerheads ... just a sampling of the "P"s in his book. (Entries are listed alphabetically by artist.) Moon discusses his favorites and wants to hear about yours tonight at 7 p.m. at Joseph-Beth.  

"The idea of coming up with a list that takes in any kind of human endeavor — music, painting, books, or places to see — from the perspective of 'there may not be much time left so choose wisely' is compelling to me," Tom Moon says. "I like to think there's a broad audience of curious people who want to use their time wisely. I also think the idea of 'curated experience' is appealing."  

I don't think I've ever written anything about Jake Speed without mentioning Woody Guthrie. Call me lazy, but the political Folk pioneer is such an obvious influence on Speed's songs and lyrics it almost seems dishonest not to mention it.  

In Julia Cho’s new play Durango is getting its Midwestern premiere at the Cincinnati Playhouse. This fine play not only describes a road trip, but it will make everyone who sees it think about where they might be going. Tuesday-Sunday. Through Oct. 19.   

Sexsmith is a classic Pop stylist, writing melodies that transcend the meager tag of "catchy," tickling the soul and seething a timelessness that few capture. He's Brian Wilson, Nick Drake and Paul McCartney all rolled into one.   

Chances are, if you went out to see live original music in Cincinnati in the late '80s/early '90s, you've likely seen Jim Antonio on stage. Antonio was one of the best frontmen in town when he led Lizard 99, an Art Punk band in the vein of early Jane's Addiction.