By Steve Newton I interviewed Rhode Island blues guitarist and vocalist Duke Robillard back in February of 1995, when he was touring behind his eighth album, Temptation, and about to play a show at the famed Antone's in Austin, Texas. A few years earlier he'd been playing with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, having taken over the … Continue reading That time I asked Duke Robillard if there were big shoes to fill replacing Jimmie Vaughan in the Fabulous Thunderbirds
Category: blues
Sue Foley’s stunning guitar licks make for a killer night of Texas blues at the Rio
michele gare photo By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Sue Foley, back in 1992, she was 23 years old and about to play a show at the Commodore Ballroom as part of the Antone’s Women Blues Revue, which saw her in the company of blues belters Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton, … Continue reading Sue Foley’s stunning guitar licks make for a killer night of Texas blues at the Rio
Former Muddy Waters guitarist Jimmy Rogers brings real blues to the Yale
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 17, 1985 By Steve Newton "People who can't dig the blues, they must have a hole in the soul." That's how veteran bluesman Jimmy Rogers puts it--and he oughta know. For many years Rogers played guitar behind one of the most admired and influential figures in the genre, Muddy Waters. Muddy … Continue reading Former Muddy Waters guitarist Jimmy Rogers brings real blues to the Yale
That time I asked Magic Slim if Magic Sam was okay with him having some of the magic
By Steve Newton Back in the summer of 1999 I interviewed blues guitarist and vocalist Magic Slim (real name Morris Holt), who'd been a major contributor to the Chicago blues scene with his band Magic Slim and the Teardrops. I called him up at his then-home in Lincoln, Nebraska, before he headed out to Vancouver … Continue reading That time I asked Magic Slim if Magic Sam was okay with him having some of the magic
Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver
By Steve Newton Two of the top talents in Canadian and American blues-rock collided in a fine way at the York Theatre in Vancouver last Friday (March 10). That's when the New Jersey-born bluesman Walter Trout--formerly of Canned Heat and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers--invited Nanaimo's David Gogo up to jam. Gogo had opened the show with … Continue reading Can-Am blues-rock summit sees David Gogo trading fierce licks with Walter Trout in Vancouver
Slide-guitar ace Harry Manx praises Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Kevin Breit, and his first blues influence, Johnny Winter
By Steve Newton When I call up Harry Manx for an interview, I have no idea where he's located. The area code (250) signifies that it's somewhere in B.C., but that's about it. Turns out he's been residing on Salt Spring Island for the last 20 years or so. And as luck would have it … Continue reading Slide-guitar ace Harry Manx praises Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Kevin Breit, and his first blues influence, Johnny Winter
That time blues legend John Mayall told me why he handles his own gear and never uses roadies
By Steve Newton I did the second of my three interviews with British blues great John Mayall back in May of 1990, when he was heading to Vancouver for a show with his band the Bluesbreakers. He was touring to promote his latest album, A Sense of Place, which featured slide-guitar ace Sonny Landreth on … Continue reading That time blues legend John Mayall told me why he handles his own gear and never uses roadies
Big Jack Johnson likes the sauce cooked into his barbecue
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 24, 2003 By Steve Newton When the Straight contacts Big Jack Johnson—the veteran bluesman, not the youthful chart-topping surfer dude—at his home in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he’s just gotten back from Milan, Italy. To hear him tell it, the blues is definitely alive and well in Europe, and has … Continue reading Big Jack Johnson likes the sauce cooked into his barbecue
Brent Parkin has worked the Winnipeg blues beat longer than Big Dave McLean
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
Guy Davis says that Taj Mahal gave him the real concerted blues lesson
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 20, 2003 By Steve Newton Blues fans who enjoy their music with a theatrical twist should make an effort to get out to the North Shore on Sunday (March 23), when singer-storyteller-guitarist Guy Davis plays the Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre. The New York bluesman will be performing … Continue reading Guy Davis says that Taj Mahal gave him the real concerted blues lesson
Ray Bonneville was fine with Sue Foley beating him out for the best blues Juno
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 18, 2002 By Steve Newton Rough Luck, the latest CD from Montreal-based blues artist Ray Bonneville, is about as solo as you can get. It’s just him, his guitar, an occasional harmonica, and his trusty footboard—a piece of plywood with four rubber stoppers to get it up off … Continue reading Ray Bonneville was fine with Sue Foley beating him out for the best blues Juno
Sista Monica says the blues can’t help but support a healing process for people
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
Michael Hill say fans were eyeing the skies when Jimi Hendrix played the national anthem at Woodstock
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 20, 2000 By Steve Newton Ever since Woodstock happened, the music world’s been hearing about Jimi Hendrix’s performance at the fabled ’69 rock fest. I’ve seen some of the film footage and heard the recordings, and indeed the legendary guitarist appears in good form—but sometimes I wonder if … Continue reading Michael Hill say fans were eyeing the skies when Jimi Hendrix played the national anthem at Woodstock