ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT ON APRIL 14, 2021 By Steve Newton I was born on April 14, 1957, so the Beatles‘ “When I’m Sixty-Four” is my favourite song today. Listening to that tune really takes me back…to a happier time? Maybe so. Not that I’m doin’ too bad right now, having just gotten … Continue reading When you’re 64, that old Beatles tune really means something
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 26, 1989 By Steve Newton Before checking out he Romantics’ show last weekend, I couldn’t remember what their fourth hit single was. I could recall tunes like “Talking in Your Sleep”, “One in a Million”, and “What I Like About You”, but that’s basically it. I remember thumping my dashboard and … Continue reading Old-school Romantics revive the spirit of Cavern Club-era Beatles in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 31, 2002 By Steve Newton If you want to hear simply beautiful—and beautifully simple—pop tunes, look no further than Five Star Motel, the new CD by Toronto singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andy Stochansky. When developing the material for the major-label follow-up to his two indie discs, While You Slept … Continue reading The first album Andy Stochansky ever purchased was The Beatles: 1967-1970
By Steve Newton Now here’s a list that was hard to keep down to 20 songs. Really hard. “All My Loving” (With the Beatles, 1963) “Can’t Buy Me Love” (A Hard Day’s Night, 1964) “I’m Looking Through You” (Rubber Soul, 1965) “I Saw Her Standing There” (Please Please Me, 1963) “Eleanor Rigby” (Revolver, 1966) “Come … Continue reading The Beatles’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 16, 2000 By Steve Newton Jesse Cook is the first to admit that Celtic music isn’t his forte, but that doesn’t mean he won’t give it a shot. The Toronto flamenco-pop guitarist got the opportunity to sit in with one of the genre’s legendary groups recently when he … Continue reading Jesse Cook thinks the best of Crowded House is right up there with the best of the Beatles
By Steve Newton I’ve just been watching the TV news, and apparently there’s quite an uproar among Celine Dion fans because she wasn’t included in Rolling Stone‘s new list of “The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Well, here’s another uproar for ya: why the hell isn’t Phil Lynott’s name on the list? You know, … Continue reading Rolling Stone shockingly omits Phil Lynott from its Top 200 singers list. And Paul Rodgers too!
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 22, 2022 By Steve Newton Doing research for an interview with guitarist Stephen Ulrich can be a fun thing–especially if you’re a Beatles fan. Searching around on YouTube, it doesn’t take long to discover a version of the John Lennon-penned “Girl”, off the 1965 Rubber Soul album. The tune, performed by … Continue reading New York guitar ace Stephen Ulrich likes working with a gun to his head
Crowded House plays the Orpheum By Steve Newton TUESDAY: Australasian pop band Crowded House, led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Neil Finn, plays the Orpheum Theatre. If they forget to play “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, you should ask for your money back. TUESDAY: F7 Entertainment Group presents Australian prog-rock guitar wizard Plini at the Rickshaw … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this week, May 1 to 5
The Modelos play the Admiral Pub By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Rogue Folk Club presents the six-piece Get Back band performing unplugged interpretations of Beatles songs at Mel Lehan Hall at St. James, with guest Jenny Allen from Calgary. FRIDAY: Vancouver blues artist and actor Jim Byrnes performs as part of the Listening Lounge Series at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge. SOLD OUT. FRIDAY AND … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 14) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, May 5 to 7
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1988 By Steve Newton If you were in a young Canadian band about to make its first record, who would you like to see behind the controls in the producer’s chair? How about Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, who–with 14 years experience making his own band’s vinyl–would certainly know a thing … Continue reading Toronto rockers Clean Slate kickstart their career with a boost from producer Alex Lifeson
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 16, 2009 By Steve Newton Back in 2006, power-pop stalwart Matthew Sweet and sometimes-Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs collaborated on Under the Covers Vol. 1, in which they performed versions of ’60s hits by groups like the Beatles, the Who, and the Beach Boys. On Under the Covers Vol. 2 the … Continue reading Album review: Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, Under the Covers Vol. 2 (2009)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 15, 2000 By Steve Newton Atlanta’s Forty Fives were hugely influenced by the British Invasion of the early ’60s, so it’s no big shock that singer-guitarist Bryan Malone winds up sounding a lot like “Twist and Shout”–era John Lennon on a couple of tunes from the band’s debut … Continue reading Atlanta’s Forty Fives employ Lennon-style screams and guitars to Get It Together
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 19, 2008 By Steve Newton The original Odds team of singer-guitarists Craig Northey and Steven Drake was a pairing made in pop heaven. On its best songs, like “I Would Be Your Man” and “Nothing Beautiful”, its melodic sensibilities rivaled the Beatles-esque beauty of Crowded House. Mind you, … Continue reading Album review: The New Odds, Cheerleader (2008)
