ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, By Steve Newton Methinks Colin James has been listening to a little too much ZZ Top of late. Don’t get me wrong—I can play the Texas boogiemeisters’ first five albums all day long and still have a hankering for more Tres Hombres. But on “Man’s Gotta Be a Stone”, the … Continue reading Album review: Colin James, Rooftops and Satellites (2009)
By Steve Newton Back in August of 1995 I interviewed Canadian blues-rocker Colin James, who I’d been a fan of since his self-titled 1988 debut album. At the time he was touring behind his fourth album, Bad Habits, which saw him playing quite a bit of slide guitar on tunes like “Real Stuff” and “Walkin’ … Continue reading That time Colin James told me that playing electric slide-guitar was a challenge for him
Colin James performs as part of the BlueShore at CapU 25th Anniversary Gala By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Kenny vs. Spenny at the Harbour Event & Convention Centre sees lifelong frenemies Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice using personal attacks and lifelong grievances to create cringe-inducing comedy. FRIDAY: soul, jazz, and R&B singer Krystle Dos Santos performs with her five-piece band at the ACT … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, Oct. 14-16
stewart copeland joins the VSO Friday and Saturday By Steve Newton Canadian blues-rocker Colin James plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Friday, with guests the Ally Venable Band. Japanese psych-rock quintet Kikagaku Moyo plays a SOLD OUT show at the Rickshaw on Friday, with guest Yu Su. The B.C. Lions take on the Ottawa Redblacks in CFL action at … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 things to do in Vancouver this weekend
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings play the Commodore By Steve Newton MONDAY: American singer-rapper Lizzo plays Rogers Arena on The Special Tour, with guest Latto. MONDAY: AEG and MRG Live present New Zealand’s Bret McKenzie–one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords–performing at the Vogue Theatre on his Songs Without Jokes Tour. … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 11) things to do in Vancouver this week, Nov. 7 to 11
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Stevie Ray Vaughan in July of 1990, six weeks before his death, I asked him what he’d been listening to in his spare time–if he had any. “Well I really haven’t had time to look up!,” he declared, before adding that he’d been mostly paying attention to the record … Continue reading That time Stevie Ray Vaughan told me how much he liked Colin James
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 24, 2003 By Steve Newton When you talk about the Winnipeg music scene, one name that tends to crop up repeatedly is Big Dave McLean. He’s a fixture of the city’s blues joints who’s been championed for years by the likes of Colin James. But Brent Parkin is … Continue reading Brent Parkin has worked the Winnipeg blues beat longer than Big Dave McLean
By Steve Newton As a youngster growing up in Guinea, West Africa, Alpha Yaya Diallo took in a lot of culture. His family moved around a lot, and he was exposed to musical influences from the Susu, Maninka, and his own Fulani people. He also spent time in nearby Senegal, where mbalax dance music was … Continue reading Alpha Yaya Diallo likes to hear millions of guitar players
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 26, 1994 By Steve Newton After hearing that Canuck guitar-rock great Kim Mitchell had reunited with longtime lyricist Pye Dubois–and then recorded their new tunes with ace producer Joe Hardy (ZZ Top, Colin James, the Tragically Hip)–I had high hopes for the resulting CD, Itch. Those hopes were … Continue reading Album review: Kim Mitchell, Itch (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 14, 1991 By Steve Newton His name might not be particularly well-known to the common Canadian music fan, but Toronto rocker Jack de Keyzer has been a fixture on this country’s recording and performing scene for most of his 35 years. While still in his teens, de Keyzer joined Canuck harp … Continue reading Toronto rocker Jack de Keyzer gets to do what he wants every day
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 18, 1988 By Steve Newton The percentage of rock ‘n’ roll bands that make it big–or even to the point of just being able to put records out and tour–has never been high enough to make a career in rock a likely one. And if you’re from some place like Saskatoon, … Continue reading Northern Pikes pack prairie punch on new Secrets of the Alibi
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 8, 1994 By Steve Newton When the time comes to interview Bob Rock about the recent resurrection of the Payola$, the prospect is particularly appealing. Rumour has it that the big-time Vancouver producer (the Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe) is to work with Metallica again soon, and I’m … Continue reading Bob Rock resurrects the Payola$ with Paul Hyde and sets up a helluva three-night benefit for B.C.’s Children’s Hospital
By Steve Newton I’ve long held the opinion that AC/DC’s Powerage is their best album. Keith Richards agrees, and he knows a thing or two about rockin’. And more importantly, Malcolm Young himself has named Powerage as Number One. When I met Young backstage after an AC/DC show in Vancouver back in 2001 I mentioned that … Continue reading Eddie Van Halen’s favourite AC/DC album was Powerage
