ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 2, 1988 By Steve Newton Donald Kinsey knows the meaning of the blues. Lately--in the wake of Roy Buchanan's suicide--he knows it better than ever. Kinsey was a good buddy of Buchanan's, and played guitar on his last two albums, Hot Wires and Dancing on the Edge. Since Buchanan was found … Continue reading Donald Kinsey laments the death of Roy Buchanan, relives the attempted assassination of Bob Marley
Category: blues
Warren Haynes calls Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” one of the most haunting recordings ever
By Steve Newton Gov't Mule is one of my favourite bands, and not just because their original music is so damn fine. Once in a while they'll do a cover of an old blues tune that inspires me to search out previous versions, with wonderful results. Like back in 1998 when they recorded "John the … Continue reading Warren Haynes calls Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” one of the most haunting recordings ever
Blues-rocker Candye Kane puts aside her porno past
“It was kind of the perfect song for me, just being a big woman and celebrating my size. I mean, I am a whole lotta love.”
Mason Ruffner was inspired by Jimmy Page to inject fire into his Gypsy Blood
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 31, 1987 By Steve Newton The Fabulous Thunderbirds are from Austin, Texas. Mason Ruffner is from Forth Worth. The Fabulous Thunderbirds hit it big last year with an album produced by Dave Edmunds. Mason Ruffner is hitting it big this year with an album produced by Dave Edmunds. Is there a … Continue reading Mason Ruffner was inspired by Jimmy Page to inject fire into his Gypsy Blood
Telecaster queen Sue Foley didn’t pick up a guitar to get chicks–or even guys, for that matter
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 2, 1992 By Steve Newton Talk about the harried, high-pressure life of a traveling blueswoman! In her Phoenix, Arizona hotel room, Sue Foley is getting it from all sides. It’s check-out time, and room service is banging on the door; she’s playing Tucson that night, and her fellow musicians are out … Continue reading Telecaster queen Sue Foley didn’t pick up a guitar to get chicks–or even guys, for that matter
Mick Fleetwood says he’s more expressive with his blues band than with Fleetwood Mac
Eight years before Fleetwood Mac became the multiplatinum voice of mid-’70s pop, it was a gritty blues-rock band led by Peter Green.
The Newt Commute #2: Muddy Waters’ “Champagne and Reefer”
By Steve Newton Couple weeks ago I banged out a little blog about how I played Neil Young's "I'm the Ocean" eight times on my shitty commute. That was kinda fun to write, so while I was cruising into work this morning I kept my mind open for another song-based subject to blather on about. … Continue reading The Newt Commute #2: Muddy Waters’ “Champagne and Reefer”
Blind Willie Johnson’s blues genius lauded in upcoming tribute album
By Steve Newton Blues legends don't get much more legendary than Blind Willie Johnson, whose recordings in the 1920s of songs like "John the Revelator", "It's Nobody's Fault But Mine", and "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" have inspired versions by everyone from Hot Tuna to Warren Haynes to Led Zeppelin. So it's more than … Continue reading Blind Willie Johnson’s blues genius lauded in upcoming tribute album
Texas blues-rock guitarist Smokin’ Joe Kubek dies from a heart attack at 58
By Steve Newton Blues fans are learning some sad news today. Smokin' Joe Kubek, the Texas blues-rock guitarist best known for his work alongside guitarist-vocalist Bnois King, died of a heart attack yesterday (October 11). Kubek, 58, passed away minutes before he was to appear on stage at the Pleasure Island Seafood & Blues Festival … Continue reading Texas blues-rock guitarist Smokin’ Joe Kubek dies from a heart attack at 58
Koko Taylor, Queen of the Blues, says Willie Dixon was her right arm
When Koko Taylor was a poverty-stricken youngster she used to find joy in her meagre existence through the music B. B. King liked to play.
Big Dave McLean got pointers from John Hammond as a teen
When he was just a teen, Dave McLean attended the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, Ontario, and got pointers from John Hammond.
Delta bluesman Big Jack Jackson says you can’t hardly tell the rap kids nuttin’
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 24, 2003 By Steve Newton When I contact 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 been for a while. … Continue reading Delta bluesman Big Jack Jackson says you can’t hardly tell the rap kids nuttin’
Michael Burks always played a Gibson, but he keeps a coupla Strats handy too
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 30, 2002 By Steve Newton I know a couple from Richmond who were such huge Stevie Ray Vaughan fanatics that they named their first-born child Vaughan. That’s pretty cool, but I’d like to go one better, and have my own son actually become a blues-rock guitar wizard! My trusty white … Continue reading Michael Burks always played a Gibson, but he keeps a coupla Strats handy too