Howlin' Wolf

Men in Burka defies convention with purpose and promise

Denver's ten best jukeboxes

More and more, you've probably noticed an influx of Internet jukeboxes, the kind that offer a seemingly endless assortment of songs, cropping up in bars. But there are still a handful of spots rocking old school CD jukeboxes that require a bit of taste-making. Here's the ten best, including this yea ... More >>

Here's what we're all listening to right now. What's rocking your world this week?

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 >>

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 >>

Black Joe Lewis: "I always just figured I'd play the type of music I enjoy listening to."

Black Joe Lewis (due tomorrow at the Westword Music Showcase on the mainstage) isn't one to make fancy comparisons to the musical legacies of blues giants and soul progenitors. Lewis and his band, formerly known as the Honeybears, have earned comparisons to everyone from Howlin' Wolf to Muddy Waters ... More >>

Denver's ten best jukeboxes

Just as music collections say a lot about people, a jukebox can do the same for a bar; it often reflect the place's personality. A lot of times, variety is key to a well-stocked jukebox, and 3 Kings Tavern, this year's winner in the Best of Denver, had that with balls, to boot. Here's a look at the ... More >>

Sounds of Blackness: Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix is widely considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in history. Before being gifted with a guitar at the age of fifteen, Hendrix used a broom stick in place of the instrument that would later become his most beloved method of communication. Born Johnny Allen Hendrix in November 1 ... More >>

Jam together during the holidays at Otis Taylor's Trance Blues Festival

Bootsy Collins on his unique persona and getting his start in funk playing with James Brown

David Carlo​Bootsy Collins (due tonight at The Boulder Theater), a bass player with a larger than life persona, first came to promience in the James Brown band. After leaving Brown's outfit, Collins was convinced by a friend to go to Detroit, where he hooked up with George Clinton, with whom C ... More >>

Various Artists

Live From Ebbets Field Vol. 4
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RIP Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart

​The music world is a little less surreal this week. Don Van Vliet, better known to fans as Captain Beefheart, died from complications tied to multiple sclerosis in California on Friday. He was 69 years old. Beefheart is survived by his wife of forty years, Jan Van Vliet -- and by a musical le ... More >>

Air Dubai, Lil Wayne and DJ Krush fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Grinderman, RJD2 and Dismemberment Plan fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Five facts about T-Model Ford you should know

Peter Lee​ T Model Ford is sweet tea spiked with moonshine -- something simple and sweet but with a hell of a kick. In the late 1990s Fat Possum Records discovered him and put out his first album, Pee-Wee Get Your Gun. Since then, he's recorded five more albums, including his latest, I'm a La ... More >>

Jim Dandy to the Rescue

The Southern-rock wildman on sex, politics and firing one up with the president.