don ross plays the Mel Lehan Hall on Sunday. By Steve Newton The 41st annual Vancouver International Film Festival features over 300 films being shown at the VIFF Centre, Cinematheque, and Rio Theatre until Sunday. The Vancouver Canucks take on the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Arena on Friday. Vancouver jazz guitarist Jared Burrows and Italian pianist Carlo Morena lead their … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend
Al Stewart admits that he might be lynched if he doesn’t play “Year of the Cat”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 12, 1985 By Steve Newton In 1976, British singer-songwriter Al Stewart had a massive hit with the title track of his seventh album, Year of the Cat. A smooth and snappy number with a nice piano intro, acoustic and electric guitar solos, a breezy sax break, and evocative lyrics, "Year of … Continue reading Al Stewart admits that he might be lynched if he doesn’t play “Year of the Cat”
Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre on the legacy of Aqualung
By Steve Newton Legendary rock guitarist Martin Barre of Jethro Tull fame was touring B.C. in July with a crack band, performing the Aqualung album in its entirety. He called me from a friend's house near Nanaimo and filled me in on the tour. SN: First off I wanted to ask a little bit about Aqualung, … Continue reading Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre on the legacy of Aqualung
Album review: Pride & Glory, Pride & Glory (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 5, 1994 By Steve Newton It comes as somewhat of a surprise that Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde is a dyed-in-the-swamp southern-rock maniac, but the New Jersey native is at the forefront of the current trend toward repopularizing the style epitomized by the Allman Brothers Band. On its … Continue reading Album review: Pride & Glory, Pride & Glory (1994)
Album review: Gilby Clarke, Pawnshop Guitars (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 5, 1994 By Steve Newton Sometimes I wonder if guitarists join Guns N' Roses just so they can get in the position to release their own solo recordings of punk-inspired garage-rock and blues-based boogie. (I doubt if they do it so they can bask in the positive vibes … Continue reading Album review: Gilby Clarke, Pawnshop Guitars (1994)
Album review: Little Jimmy King, Something Inside of Me
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 29, 1994 By Steve Newton The death of blues guitarist Albert King in December of '92 was a real downer for anyone who had followed the stellar career of the big bulldozer operator and master of the Flying V. King's influence on the likes of Jeff Beck, Eric … Continue reading Album review: Little Jimmy King, Something Inside of Me
Jimmie Vaughan’s supertasty live licks tell the story of brother Stevie’s final flight
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 12, 1994 By Steve Newton I count myself among the lucky few who got to see Jimmie Vaughan's little brother, Stevie Ray, play the Commodore in the mid-'80s. Back then, when you went to an SRV show you knew what to expect: bass, drums, and the wildest blues-rock guitar this side … Continue reading Jimmie Vaughan’s supertasty live licks tell the story of brother Stevie’s final flight
Album review: Yngwie Malmsteen, The Seventh Sign (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 29, 1994 By Steve Newton Four years ago Yngwie Malmsteen released an album, Eclipse, that showed the Swedish guitar demon finally overcoming the songwriting deficiencies that had made his previous recordings little more than launching pads for his incredibly fast, classically bent solos. Tuneful craftsmanship had previously been … Continue reading Album review: Yngwie Malmsteen, The Seventh Sign (1994)
Scott Smith was thinking about both Duane and Dickey on Terminal Station’s Allman-like tune
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 16, 2020 By Steve Newton The coronovirus pandemic is a global catastrophe that has led to massive death, economic ruin, and untold suffering. But it hasn't stopped Scott Smith from rocking out. It did slow him down a bit, though, as he admits on the line from his home near Trout … Continue reading Scott Smith was thinking about both Duane and Dickey on Terminal Station’s Allman-like tune
Album review: Paul Dean, Machine (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 22, 1994 By Steve Newton I first heard the Texas blues-style rhythm intro and moaning lead surge of Paul Dean's "Couldn't Get Arrested" on the radio while mixing margaritas in my kitchen one sunny afternoon a month or two ago, but I had no idea who it was until the announcer … Continue reading Album review: Paul Dean, Machine (1994)
Album review: the Allman Brothers Band, Where It All Begins (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 15, 1994 By Steve Newton Like a hearty handshake from a rarely seen high-school buddy, every new Allman Brothers release is a hazy reminder of my teenage glory days, when the purchase of a southern-rock LP such as the Allmans' Eat A Peach made everything right in my small-town world. Nowadays … Continue reading Album review: the Allman Brothers Band, Where It All Begins (1994)
Album review: Bryan Adams, Into the Fire (1987)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 10, 1987 By Steve Newton The most highly anticipated album ever by a Vancouver artist, Bryan Adams' Into the Fire comes 2-1/2 years after the release of his seven million-selling Reckless LP. Recorded in the living room of the 27-year-old's North Van home, Into the Fire contains 10 … Continue reading Album review: Bryan Adams, Into the Fire (1987)
Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week
king gizzard & the lizard wizard plays the pne forum on wednesday By Steve Newton American garage-rock duo the Black Keys plays Rogers Arena on their Dropout Boogie Tour on Monday, with guests Band of Horses. Australian boogie-rockers Airbourne play the Commodore Ballroom on Monday, with guests the Native Howl and Steel V. MRG Live … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Vancouver this week