Last night Carnegie Hall hosted the biggest assortment of megastars this side of the Orpheum for a (RED)NIGHTS charity show, benefiting the Global Fund‘s efforts against the African AIDS epidemic. The night was billed as “Hal Willner Presents: An Evening With Gavin Friday and Friends,” and it turns out that the erstwhile Virgin Prunes frontman Friday has a great friend in Bono, and by extension, some of the music world’s most iconic faces. It was the night of a thousand collaborations, some likely (Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson), some not so much (Rufus Wainwright, Scarlett Johansson, and Prince-imposter Fred Armisen). Others pitching in to the superjams included Courtney Love, Lady Gaga, Antony Hegarty, Shane MacGowan, Jim White, Lydia Lunch, the rest of the U2 guys, etc. We offer three ways to relive it: your imagination (get with the program), still photos (courtesy of photographer Jessica Amaya), or this video of Gavin, Bono, Courtney, Scarlett, Shane, et al taking on Bowie’s “The Jean Genie.” Courtney and Scarlett are a study in stage-shimmy contrasts.

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Though Nina was open to shaking things up for her forthcoming, fifth full-length, some things you don’t mess with — like enlisting Steve Albini on recording duties. But instead of taking a solo billing this time, the NYC singer-songwriter brings along drummer Jim White (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Beth Orton, Smog, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey) for an aesthetic shift. The results of the collab are gorgeous, and there’s no need for bass when Steve’s mixing the kit. This one’s our fave, with Jim and Nina’s fingerpicking-and-fills interplay keeping the elegy rolling with a slow-cooking simmer.

Nina Nastasia & Jim White – “The Day I Would Bury You” (MP3)

You Follow Me is out 8/14 on FatCat.