ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 9, 1998 By Steve Newton Don’t let the cheapjack horror-movie cover fool ya, ’cause Heaven Forbid—Blue Öyster Cult’s first new recording since 1988’s substandard Imaginos—is one classy slab of hard rock. It’s not a masterwork in the league of Tyranny and Mutation or Agents of Fortune, but … Continue reading Album review: Blue Öyster Cult, Heaven Forbid (1998)
The Beat Farmers’ Country Dick Montana offers tips for men and insight into The Pursuit of Happiness
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 6, 1987 By Steve Newton Devoted fans of serious music should make a point of being as far away as possible from the 86 Street Music Hall this Tuesday (November 10). However, those with less cultivated tastes--and a penchant for rowdy, party-time country rock with … Continue reading The Beat Farmers’ Country Dick Montana offers tips for men and insight into The Pursuit of Happiness
Album review: John Fogerty, Premonition (1998)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 11, 1998 By Steve Newton The one concert that got me foaming at the mouth last year was John Fogerty’s Orpheum gig, and I did everything within my power as a Media Slut From Hell to make the most of it. I wangled front-row-centre seats to get … Continue reading Album review: John Fogerty, Premonition (1998)
Album review: Van Halen, Van Halen 3 (1998)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 16, 1998 By Steve Newton Ever since Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth as Van Halen’s frontman on 1986’s 5150, the band’s legions of followers have been split into the Sam and Dave camps. Roth proponents feel his macho bravado and hog-in-heat performing style suited the group’s early music; Sammy … Continue reading Album review: Van Halen, Van Halen 3 (1998)
Album review: Bryan Adams, Unplugged (1998)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 19, 1998 By Steve Newton I don’t enjoy slagging hometown heroes, but Bryan Adams has gone too far with this desperate cash grab in the worn-out “unplugged” market. That incredibly sappy duet he recorded with Barbra Streisand a while back must have gone to his head, Michael … Continue reading Album review: Bryan Adams, Unplugged (1998)
Album review: The Tragically Hip, Live Between Us (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 5, 1997 By Steve Newton It beats the hell outta me why the most Canadian rock band of all time had to go and record its historic live album in the all-powerful U.S. of A. Even if Detroit is Rock City, it doesn’t make sense for these proud … Continue reading Album review: The Tragically Hip, Live Between Us (1997)
Album review: Alice Cooper, A Fistful of Alice (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 21, 1997 By Steve Newton Strolling around the Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas last year, I stumbled across a bar called the Cabo Wabo Cantina, which had a sign in the parking lot proclaiming “Reserved for Sammy Hagar”. Realizing that this must be the watering hole … Continue reading Album review: Alice Cooper, A Fistful of Alice (1997)
Album review: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Live at Carnegie Hall (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 21, 1997 By Steve Newton If there was ever any doubt that Stevie Ray Vaughan was a guitarist with skill and soul on a par with any rock legend living or dead, this live CD—recorded at New York’s Carnegie Hall on October 4, 1984, the day after … Continue reading Album review: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Live at Carnegie Hall (1997)
Album review: John Fogerty, Blue Moon Swamp (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 17, 1997 By Steve Newton To me, John Fogerty is the ultimate rock ’n’ roller. His songwriting—as evidenced by a myriad of deathless Creedence Clearwater Revival hits and some stunning solo tunes—is untouchable. He’s one hell of a swamp-rock lead guitarist. And when it comes to singing, man—what … Continue reading Album review: John Fogerty, Blue Moon Swamp (1997)
Album review: Joe Satriani/Eric Johnson/Steve Vai G3—Live in Concert (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 10, 1997 By Steve Newton Talk about a rock-guitar freak’s dream gig! Three American masters of the electric six-string unite for a tour that sees each of them performing a separate set before they combine on a three-song jam-o-rama. Break out the air guitars, kids—and dust up on … Continue reading Album review: Joe Satriani/Eric Johnson/Steve Vai G3—Live in Concert (1997)
Album review: Forbidden Dimension, Widow’s Walk (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 1, 1997 By Steve Newton Keeping horror-based guitar-rock alive, Forbidden Dimension opens its third full-length release with a blast of heavy-metal bombast that churns into “My Family Curse”, a rocketing ditty about mayhem and blood. The trio has been recently bolstered by the addition of former Huevos Rancheros … Continue reading Album review: Forbidden Dimension, Widow’s Walk (1997)
Album review: Various Artists, Dragon Attack: A Tribute to Queen (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 5, 1997 By Steve Newton The folks behind previous Jeff Beck, Ace Frehley, and Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute CDs deliver a fourth laudatory project, which pays its respects to the estimable Queen catalogue while allowing an all-star lineup of hard-rock guitarists to get their fret-hopping jollies. The list … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, Dragon Attack: A Tribute to Queen (1997)
Album review: Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Beautiful World (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 3, 1997 By Steve Newton Its previous two albums—1993’s Sister Sweetly and 1995’s Strategem—were sterling examples of well played and wonderfully sung roots-pop, but on Beautiful World, Colorado’s Big Head Todd & the Monsters venture winningly into seriously funky and soulful territory. The title track—featuring former Parliament-Funkadelic … Continue reading Album review: Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Beautiful World (1997)