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

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 ON 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 another blues veteran … 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 ON 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 his solo show, … 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 ON 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 the floor. As … 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 ON 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 soul of Aretha … 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

Anson Funderburgh says Sam Myers talks about making moonshine with Elmore James

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 9, 2000 By Steve Newton One listen to the new Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets CD, Change in My Pocket, and you can tell the guitarist is from the less-is-more school; his tasty, laid-back approach would put him in the same homeroom as Jimmie Vaughan. Both pickers are from Texas, and … Continue reading Anson Funderburgh says Sam Myers talks about making moonshine with Elmore James