Chet Atkins

Johnny Marr on the importance of developing his personal style

Johnny Marr on how he created the sound for "How Soon is Now?" without effects pedals

Johnny Marr is an iconic and influential guitarist best known for his work in The Smiths, which broke up in 1987. His guitar phrases and his genius for crafting textured and tonally rich rhythmic leads has influenced countless rock guitarists of the last quarter century. After leaving The Smiths, Ma ... More >>

Backbeat's top five spins: This is what we're listening to this week. What's on your playlist?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it's not surprising that the most common (and favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off we go, on and on about t ... More >>

Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli on being chased by Meat Loaf for helping himself to Meat's leftovers

While the Afghan Whigs are probably not the first band people think of when they think of the '90s, album for album, the band consistently put out quality material. The outfit's soul-inflected rock, which could just as easily be called power pop even though it packed a lot more punch than some of th ... More >>

Richard Thompson on Fairport Convention, Nick Drake and Sufism

Pamela Littky​These days, the legendary folk-rock band Fairport Convention isn't as widely known as it once was, and yet Richard Thompson, the band's most storied guitarist, is often cited as an influence by a wide range of musicians and frequently included on the short list of the most talent ... More >>

Guitar hero: An evening with Richard Thompson at the Boulder Theater

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 26, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of August 17, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Fun is the name of the game at Castle Bar & Grill

Live Review: Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down with tUnE-YaRdS, A Weather

Delegating Denver #47 of 56: Tennessee

Suzy Bogguss

Once country’s next big thing, this sassy lady is driven by her spontaneity.

Tommy Emmanuel

Saturday, September 23, First Church of Divine Science, 303-777-1003.

Critic's Choice

Robert Eldridge

Mistletunes

Rounding up holiday discs that offer season's greetings -- and beatings.

Gillian Welch

Time (The Revelator) (Acony)

The Man Who Would Be King

The thrill still isn't gone for B.B. King, American royal.

Songs of the Century

Part one of a pre-millennial salute to the music that made America sing.

Music for the Holidaze

Digging out from a blizzard of seasonal CD releases.

Last Call

Nobody played the blues like Bobby Hornbuckle. Now he's living them to the end.

Free Willie

A gospel album on a Denver record label is the latest step in the rehabilitation of Willie Nelson's career.

FEATS OF THE CLAYMORES