The Tallest Man on Earth  Let's get the silly stuff out of the
way first: Kristian Mattson (a.k.a. the Tallest Man on Earth)
isn't really all that tall. But his majestic songs are indeed
colossal, even if they are performed solely by a man and his
battered guitar. Mattson's music is striking in its simplicity,
and the unvarnished nature of his sound only serves to add to
its appeal. The Swedish singer is touring behind his recently
released gem The Wild Hunt, which should (in a just world) end
up on many year-end 'Best Of' lists. And while his stellar
recording output is enough to make a lasting impression on music
fans everywhere, it's performing live where Mattson truly shines
and his stately songs take flight. Though the Dylan comparisons
continue to shadow him, Mattson wears the burden like a badge,
even cheekily name-checking "Boots of Spanish Leather" on his
excellent new single, "King of Spain." The plush confines of the
Varsity Theater should be the perfect setting to witness one of
the best songwrite