John Legend

The ten best concerts this weekend: Sept. 14-16

Welcome to the weekend! The weather has finally cooled off a bit, but the shows haven't. Whatever your inclinations are this next couple of days, there are a plethora of options, from Devin Townsend Project tonight at the Summit Music Hall to Deltron 3030 tomorrow night at Cervantes' Masterpiece Bal ... More >>

David Torn on his textural guitar approach and the need to orchestrate and fill in spaces

Known for his innovative, textural approach to guitar playing, David Torn has released a number of albums under his own name and under the Splattercell moniker. He's also used his talents for film scoring and collaborated with a diverse set of artists including David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, Sting an ... More >>

David Torn composes music he can't describe

The ten best jazz shows in Colorado this month

Denver gets its share of national jazz talent, but September proves to be an exceptionally good month, with some legendary folks like Esperanza Spalding, John Ambercrombie, David Torn, Brian Blade and Allison Miller coming to town, as well as a fine selection of estimable local talent. Keep reading ... More >>

Ten best Denver arena concerts of 2011

​As another year comes to a close, this one's going to be remembered for some stellar concerts. All week, we'll be running down a list of our favorites from the past year beginning with this one: Best arena concerts of 2011. Page down to see which shows made the cut. (Click on the band name fo ... More >>

They're Playing Our Song

Labor Day: Let's recap the ten best concerts of the summer

Summer's about sweating after dark.​From Lil Wayne's on-stage clowning and Katy Perry's cooing, to a perspiration-and-PBR soaked reunion of Planes Mistaken for Stars, and even those teenage, Danish punks Iceage melting the audience Rhinoceropolis, the summer of 2011 was as good as any for live ... More >>

Review: Sade and John Legend at the Pepsi Center, 8/11/11

Brandon Marshall​SADE & JOHN LEGEND at PEPSI CENTER | 8/11/11Sade brings a level of splendor, sophistication and smoldering seductiveness to her work unlike anyone else. While plenty of other vocalists admittedly possess a more expansive range, few carry themselves with the sort of grace and g ... More >>

John Legend on the resurgence of soul, touring with Sade and the foibles and fortunes of fame

Catch John Legend tonight at the Pepsi Center with Sade​John Legend considers everything, especially when he's being interviewed. He pauses long enough for you to imagine him considering several inferior answers and tossing them before choosing one that sounds just right. Back in the fall of 2 ... More >>

Tonight: Adrian and the Sickness at the Rockaway

​Adrian & The Sickness (playing the Rockaway Tavern tonight with No Good Reason) is much more than just the front for guitar great Adrian Connor's original material. Connor -- also known also as the "Angus Young" of the wildly successful AC/DC tribute, Hell's Belles -- has been writing and pla ... More >>

DJ Vajra wins Red Bull Thre3Style competition in Boulder

Photo: Ru JohnsonDJ Vajra in Boulder last night.​ RED BULL THR3STYLE TOURNAMENT 04.07.11 | Boulder Theater Last night at the Boulder Theater, the Red Bull Thre3Style tournament was live and absolutely direct. Beyond the blazing marquis outside and the multi-Mini Coopers with the gigantic Red B ... More >>

Slim Cessna, A. Tom Collins, Serious Moonlight and DJ MU$A top our weekly playlists

​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 >>

Mile Highlights: Shows announced/on sale this week, local radio playlists and top local sellers

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week. On the concert front: Peter Gabriel and Widespread Panic are coming to Red Rocks in June, while Sade is due at the Pepsi Center in August. Meanwhile on local radio, My Body Sings Electric, Pacific Pride, the Sunshine House and String Chees ... More >>

Kanye West's SNL performance and a collection of everything else he's been up to

Kanye West has been busy the past couple of months making everyone else in music look lazy. Not only did he perform on Saturday Night Live over the weekend with two of the best musical performances we've seen in a while, but he's also been dropping free MP3s in a series called "G.O.O.D. Fridays." ... More >>

Neil Young, Deerhunter, Blonde Redhead, Ice Cube top sellers at local stores

​Le Noise, Neil Young's collaboration with producer Daniel Lanois, released last week on Reprise, claimed the top spot at Twist & Shout, checked in at number three at Albums on the Hill and rounded out the top ten at Wax Trax for the week ending October 3. Deerhunter's Halcyon Digest, meanwhil ... 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 >>

Michael Franti, Santana, Blonde Redhead top sellers at local stores

​Michael Franti & Spearhead's The Sound of Sunshine , released last week on Capitol, grabbed the top spot at Albums on the Hill and checked in at number three at Twist & Shout for the week ending September 26. Santana's new Arista release, Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All T ... 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 >>

Part two: Big Game's Leo Harvey dishes on trashy cheese dip, his biggest embarrassment and Gordon Ramsay

Lori Midson ​This is part two of my interview with Leo Harvey, executive chef of Big Game Restaurant & Lounge. To read part one of that interview, click here. Favorite dish to cook at home: Braised chicken thighs and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. It's a very comforting dish that's hearty, easy ... More >>

MSTRKRFT

Friday, June 25, Ogden Theatre, 303-830-8497.

The world according to Ya Ya's Aaron Whitcomb: pork is overrated, Espelette pepper powder is amazing and pho is pho-king awesome

Lori Midson Aaron Whitcomb​Aaron Whitcomb YaYa's Euro Bistro 8310 East Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village 303-741-1110 www.yayasbistro.com Aaron Whitcomb wants to show off his new menu at YaYa's Euro Bistro, the Greenwood Village restaurant whose kitchen he's commanded since April of last ... More >>

Top Ten Dance Albums of 2009

​The past year brought the worst economy since the malaise of the 1970s, and like that era, it also saw dance music sweep the nation. Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas, Beyoncé and P. Diddy all dabbled in the sound. Even Michael Jackson was said to be working on a dance album with the Peas' Will ... More >>

Fresh Breath Committee's Purpose getting his 'Idol' on

While Fresh Breath Committee holds its breath for the results of the Westword Music Showcase, one member of the collective is participating in another contest. Purpose, aka Mykal Hudson, is a finalist in FOX 31's Denver Idol competition.Yes, he sings as well as raps. Who knew? He performed for local ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top five spins for the week of April 20, 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 a ... More >>

When it comes to production, the men of MSTRKRFT live up to their name

Q&A with Jesse F. Keeler and Alex "Al-P" Puodziukas of MSTRKRFT

Photo by Geoff McLean What began as a simple phone interview with Jesse F. Keeler for this week's profile of the dance duo MSTRKRFT turned into something considerably stranger, and more amusing. Yes, Keeler talked at length -- but when he had to use the primitive toilet in the group's new Toronto s ... More >>

From Akon to Usher, today's R&B is a shadow of its former self

CNN hero gets advice on rocking from former Westworder

Penny Parker's amusing column in today's Rocky Mountain News spotlights Yohannes Gebregeorgis, founder of Denver-based Ethiopia Reads, which raises funds to bring books and libraries to Gebregeorgis' native land. Our November 13 blog "Vote for Ethiopia Reads' Yohannes Gebregeorgis as CNN's Hero of ... More >>

This Just In 11/20-12/3

John Legend visits the Paramount Theatre January 8. There's a bit more action this week with concert announcements, including John Legend's January 8 show at the Paramount, Galactic's Valentine's Day show at Fillmore and a bunch of good shows at the Bluebird. Celine Dion's show originally schedu ... More >>

Soul Men

MSTRKRFT

Tuesday, October 28, Ogden Theatre, 303-830-8497.

Al Green is still as soulful as ever

Paradox Lounge

Put some teeth into it!

Crown Jewel

Concerts for Kids makes it easy to do the right thing.

Al Green

Lay It Down
Blue Note

Street Sign Artist Remixes Graffiti

Sanity Claus

Separating holiday-music gifts from seasonal disorders.

Corinne Bailey Rae

Tuesday, April 10, Wells Fargo Theatre, 303-830-8497.

John Legend

Once Again
G.O.O.D. Music/Sony Urban Music/Columbia

John Legend

Monday, November 13, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Westword Music Showcase 2006

Be there or be square!

Black Eyed Peas

Monkey Business (A&M Records)

Off Limits

Monkey Business

Legendary

It's a very good time to be John Legend.

The Hustler

DJ Clinton Sparks has become a rising star by working harder than anyone else.

John Legend

Get Lifted (Columbia Records)

Slum Village

Detroit Deli: A Taste of Detroit (Priority Records)