By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

A look into the story of the electric guitar in concert music. Featuring music by Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet, Bang On A Can, Stephen Mackey, D.J. Sparr, Anthony Joseph Lanman, Bryce Dessner, and Sonic YouthBy Matthew Cochran

The jazz guitarist discusses his new album "Homes"By Matthew Cochran

The Punch Brothers guitarist opens up about his musical beginnings, life in the band, and his duo with Julian LageBy Matthew Cochran

2 very different stories about rehearsals, and the reasons why musicians do what we doBy Matthew Cochran

From Oregon to the Moon, Towner has been churning out great music for over 40 yearsBy Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

Richard Thompson is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who’s pretty hard to pin down, musically. As a founding member of Fairport Convention, Thompson was a leading figure of the 1960’s folk rock movement. His long-running duo with Linda Thompson produced one of the classics in the singer-songwriter genre: the tortured and world-weary Shoot Out th…

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

Baden Powell was a composer, singer, and guitarist inextricably linked to the Bossa Nova craze of the 1960’s. If you’re at all familiar with Bossa Nova from the early 60’s, you’ll recognize what a radical departure Powell’s music was from the highly sophisticated stuff that was catching on in the U.S. around this time. We listen to “How Insensitive…

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

At the Crossroads Between Truth and LegendBy Matthew Cochran

By Matthew Cochran

PART 1: LATE TO THE PARTY Andres Segovia. Even the mention of his name elicits tones of hushed reverence in certain circles. But in the 70’s, there was a backlash against the style of playing that Segovia popularized. I began my guitar studies at a time when the guitar world was reassessing Segovia’s legacy. As a result, I was a latecomer to recogn…

INTRO: THE INHERENT HEALTH RISKS OF PLAYING GUITAR A couple common themes have emerged with the four guitarists we’ve covered so far. First of all: being a world-renowned guitarist is, without question, bad for your health. Another lesson we can take away from Joe, Paco, and Frank is that good music rarely occurs in a vacuum. What is often consider…

INTRO A quick warning: today’s episode contains profanity and adult content. Sensitive listeners may want to skip ahead to next week’s discussion of Michael Hedges. Also, I’ve changed some names around so that the people that acted like jerks in my story can continue doing so in relative anonymity. Recordings: Matthew Cochran, “Cicadas at the Equin…

Goes2Eleven continues its tribute to guitar heroes with flamenco superman Paco de Lucía. We discuss Paco’s traditional flamenco roots and his explorations beyond the folk form into jazz and world music, plus his legendary collaboration with Camerón de la Isla, and Paco’s chart-topping trio with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin. INTRO A reminder to G…

Goes2Eleven starts its run with a tribute to the jazz giant Joe Pass (1929-1994). We take a look at the guitarist’s early years in Johnstown, PA, his struggles with addiction throughout the 50’s, and his ascent to stardom through legendary collaborations with Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson, and his final years as a peerless solo guitar virtuoso…