If you watched the local news, you might have heard Neil Young's "Powderfinger" coming from Peter Gammons, Theo Epstein, and a host of local musicians for the Hot Stove, Cool Music benefit concert at the Paradise.

The sight of Peter and the Hot Stove All Stars rocking the "Powderfinger" tickles Bostonist's fancy, and all media outlets, the Globe in particular, praised the overall musicianship of the event.

However, VickieVictoria, who took this and other photos of the event, notes that, while the event was for a good cause, the stove was "slightly warm":

It’s hard to really knock “Hot Stove, Cool Music.” A benefit for worthy organizations…goodwill gestures…helping CHILDREN…And THAT is the root of the problem, I realized last night as I stood within Paradise’s main room. I was suddenly convinced that everyone in the Boston scene who has ever written anything about Hot Stove was so afraid of knocking the event that they lied to me!

It's fantastic to see Peter Gammons rocking out. And it's always wonderful to support the Foundation to Be Named Later and the Jimmy Fund. Yay, children! As an event, Hot Stove Cool Music is top notch, but VickieVictoria's notes suggest that those writing up the event may have had trouble separating the good intentions of the event from the actual music.

VickieVictoria notes that a few of the performers seemed to be phoning it in. She writes, "When Kay Hanley introduces another song with 'And here’s another song I don’t know how to play,' that makes me roll my eyes." And Theo Epstein seemed so distant that she had trouble figuring out if he was supposed to be "super-removed" or "brooding."

Bostonist wasn't there, so we don't know who's right, but it does raise an interesting "Great Debate." Should critics be hands-off when it comes to benefit concerts? A few mild criticisms of a show might actually up the ante for next year. Besides, the people going to see "Hot Stove, Cool Music" are probably going more for the opportunity to see so many local celebs in one place, and they'll pay at the door anyway.

Photo of the recovered and rocking Peter Gammons hanging with Theo Epstein used with permission from VickieVictoria.