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
Category: blues
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
Drum great Terry Bozzio livens up Omar and the Howlers’ Big Delta
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 26, 2002 By Steve Newton If you’re a blues-rock guitarist-vocalist looking for a guy to play drums with you, you could do worse than have Terry Bozzio—renowned skinbasher for Jeff Beck—living three doors down. At least that’s what Kent Omar Dykes—the Omar in Omar and the Howlers—discovered recently. “He’s my neighbour, … Continue reading Drum great Terry Bozzio livens up Omar and the Howlers’ Big Delta
Robert Plant calls Shemekia Copeland, 23, “the next Tina Turner”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 26, 2002 By Steve Newton There are a number of things that can boost an up-and-coming recording artist’s career; one of the most effective might be having Robert Plant call you “the next Tina Turner”. Blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland, 23, had no complaints when the shaggy-maned former Zepman made that terse … Continue reading Robert Plant calls Shemekia Copeland, 23, “the next Tina Turner”
Sue Foley teams with Colin Linden to kick ass on Where the Action Is
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 29, 2002 By Steve Newton Ottawa-based blueswoman Sue Foley recorded her Juno Award–winning 2000 CD, the Colin Linden–produced Love Comin’ Down, in Kingston, Ontario, but travelled down to New Orleans to mix it. On her new album, Where the Action Is, she went full-on with the southern treatment, both recording and … Continue reading Sue Foley teams with Colin Linden to kick ass on Where the Action Is
Deborah Coleman switched from bass to guitar after hearing Jimi Hendrix
Deborah Coleman is a captivating soloist in her own right, but on her latest CD she let her buddy Jimmy Thackery get his licks in as well.
Charlie Musselwhite knew that playing the blues in Chicago was better than doing factory work
Charlie Musselwhite was just 13 when he started playing the instrument that he’d use so well while staking out his place in the blues world.
James Cotton on blowing harp for Muddy Waters at Newport Jazz Festival
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 7, 2002 By Steve Newton Throughout the classic 1960 blues album Muddy Waters at Newport—which fans of the late legend should note was recently released on CD in remastered form, with bonus studio tracks—a young James Cotton can be heard blowing some serious harp at the Newport Jazz Festival. At one … Continue reading James Cotton on blowing harp for Muddy Waters at Newport Jazz Festival
Lester Quitzau was a Zeppelin-loving wheelie king as a kid
On his latest CD, So Here We Are, Lester Quitzau makes a strong case for his being touted as among this country’s finest blues-roots pickers.