kevin statham photo, 1993 By Steve Newton Just heard the terrible breaking news: that legendary vocalist Tina Turner has passed away, after a long illness, at the age of 83. An announcement of her death has been posted on her Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” … Continue reading R.I.P. Tina Turner: seeing the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll three times wasn’t nearly enough
You’d smile if you were next to Tina too! By Steve Newton Way back in October of 1984 I interviewed Cy Curnin, lead vocalist for the Fixx. That was one year after the band released its most popular album, Reach the Beach, which went platinum in the States on the strength of hits like “Saved … Continue reading That time Cy Curnin of the Fixx told me about his love for Tina Turner
mila geran photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 19, 1985 By Steve Newton “I’ve always wanted to sing like a black lady,” says Lori Paul. “They strike me as being the most genuine on stage, the most sincere. I guess that’s what a soul singer is… and I want to be known as a soulful singer.” … Continue reading Vancouver vocalist Lori Paul sets her sights on soulfulness
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 4, 2001 By Steve Newton Some music writers are quite skilled at describing certain artists by pointing to the attributes of others. Take Mac MacDonald of the Monterey Herald, for instance, who penned this stylistic sketch of California blues vocalist Monica Parker, aka Sista Monica: “She has the … Continue reading Sista Monica says the blues can’t help but support a healing process for people
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!
By Steve Newton You may have heard that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recently announced the nominees for its class of 2021. And man does the list suck in spots. The Go-Go’s? Dionne Warwick? That’s what passes for rock and roll these days? Here’s the full list of 15 nominees: Mary J. Blige, Kate … Continue reading Halfwits at Rock Hall again ignore Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, and Link Wray, instead nominate the Go-Go’s and Dionne Warwick
By Steve Newton Iron Maiden are one helluva rock band. If they weren’t I wouldn’t have interviewed them six times. But those inept turdballs down at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame seem to think that a group like the Go-Go’s–who put out three studio albums in their heyday and another one 17 years … Continue reading Iron Maiden loses out to the Go-Go’s and Jay-Z as the Rock Hall’s head plunges even further up its ass
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton When you’re arguably the world’s best female rock vocalist, you make friends easily. Tina Turner does, and a lot of those friends show up on her new double-live album, recorded last year in Britain, West Germany, and Sweden. Ms. Turner sings duets with Bryan Adams on … Continue reading Album review: Tina Turner, Tina Live in Europe (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 13, 1985 By Steve Newton Like Tina Turner and Patti Austin, Chaka Khan is one of those commanding vocalists who–no matter how great a song is–always make their singing the best thing about it. Chaka Khan has been making beautiful music for many years now, both on her … Continue reading Album review: Chaka Khan, I Feel For You (1985)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 21, 1986 By Steve Newton John Fogerty found himself with a hard act to follow after 1985’s top-notch Centerfield album. While his new LP. Eye of the Zombie, is far from being a bad record, it still doesn’t contain any tracks that match Centerfield‘s title track or “The Old Man … Continue reading Album review: John Fogerty, Eye of the Zombie (1986)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 19, 1986 By Steve Newton Steve Earle Guitar Town Catchy country-rock with a down home feel that sounds fresh even after repeated listenings. Eurythmics Revenge Irresistible little rock gems that make you hum whether you want to or not. Brian Setzer The Knife Feels Like Justice Stray Cat … Continue reading Newt’s Top 10 albums of 1986
Sora: Desire and Truth (2009) Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe 2 (2009) Rod Stewart, Soulbook (2009) Joe Perry: Have Guitar, Will Travel (2009) Damon Fowler, Sugar Shack (2009) Lynyrd Skynyrd: God & Guns (2009) John Fogerty: The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again (2009) The Bottle Rockets: Lean Forward (2009) Various Artists: True Blood, Music from the … Continue reading album reviews
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 29, 1987 By Steve Newton When Michael Jackson struck it huge five years ago with the Thriller LP, the phenomenal success of that album was not only seen as a breakthrough for Jackson himself, but as one for black music in general. Since then Jackson’s buzz has pretty much … Continue reading Los Lobos reaches beyond roots-rock with By the Light of the Moon
