ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 6, 1992 By Steve Newton At first glance, George Harrison’s new double-disc, Live in Japan, looked promising. The subtitle read, “With Eric Clapton and Band”, and the song list included some of my fave Beatles tunes (“While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Old Brown Shoe”, “Here Comes the … Continue reading Album review: George Harrison, Live in Japan (1992)
Album review: Def Leppard, Adrenalize (1992)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 11, 1992 By Steve Newton “Do you wanna get rocked?” asks Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott at the beginning of the lead-off track from the band’s first album in five years. The answer is sure—but not by a boring, go-nowhere piece of bubblegum pop/metal like “Let’s Get Rocked”. … Continue reading Album review: Def Leppard, Adrenalize (1992)
Album review: The Black Crowes, The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion (1992)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 11, 1992 By Steve Newton Few rock ’n’ roll bands have managed to cause as big a stir with their debut album as the Black Crowes did with Shake Your Moneymaker in 1990. It took a while to “work” the album, as record reps say, but once … Continue reading Album review: The Black Crowes, The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion (1992)
Album review: Big Country, The Buffalo Skinners (1993)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 17, 1993 By Steve Newton Having heard very little of Big Country since the mid-’80s, I’d pretty well written the band off as a one-hit-wonder for its early smash single, “In a Big Country”. But, surprisingly, the band’s latest disc is a superb recording, and one that’s … Continue reading Album review: Big Country, The Buffalo Skinners (1993)
Album review: Kim Mitchell, Aural Fixations (1992)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 11, 1992 By Steve Newton There are two things Canadians can count on when summer approaches: one is an increase in the price of beer, and the other is a new Kim Mitchell release. The first of these is obviously the Devil’s work, but the second makes that … Continue reading Album review: Kim Mitchell, Aural Fixations (1992)
Album review: James Reyne, Any Day Above Ground (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 9, 1992 By Steve Newton James Reyne’s previous solo album, 1988’s self-titled effort, was one of the strongest mainstream rock albums of that year, and the former leader of the Australian Crawl has followed up with another catchy batch of tunes that showcase his smart songwriting and … Continue reading Album review: James Reyne, Any Day Above Ground (1991)
Album review: Johnny Winter, Let Me In (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JAN. 9, 1992 By Steve Newton Is there anything sweeter than the sound of Johnny Winter’s bony white fingers doin’ the dirty up and down a headless guitar neck, those speedy rock riffs flying off like sparks from a grinder? I kinda doubt it. And you can’t complain … Continue reading Album review: Johnny Winter, Let Me In (1991)
My 50 fave Vancouver concerts of all time (so far)
By Steve Newton In celebration of the Georgia Straight turning 50 this year, I figured I'd offer a roundup of the 50 top Vancouver concerts I've reviewed while writing for the paper since 1982. Maybe you made it out to a couple yourself! Although I doubt you weaseled your way backstage at the Orpheum in '93 to … Continue reading My 50 fave Vancouver concerts of all time (so far)
Album review: Alice Cooper, Hey Stoopid (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 28, 1991 By Steve Newton “Hey, hey, hey, hey...hey stoopid!” Why do I keep singing that line to myself when people are within hearing distance? Shouldn’t a 30-something guy like myself have grown out of such juvenile practices? No friggin’ way. Alice Cooper is still my hero, even … Continue reading Album review: Alice Cooper, Hey Stoopid (1991)
Album review: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Weld (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 21, 1991 By Steve Newton Any folks crazy enough to miss Neil Young & Crazy Horse at the Pacific Coliseum earlier this year now have a chance to redeem themselves quite admirably by purchasing Weld, a live double-disc release that faithfully recaptures Young and his band in … Continue reading Album review: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Weld (1991)
Album review: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, The Sky Is Crying (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 21, 1991 By Steve Newton Stevie Ray Vaughan fans who thought they were getting a treat when his posthumously released Vaughan Brothers album came out have more reason to smile with the release of 10 more studio tracks by the cherished blues-rocker. But while The Sky is Crying … Continue reading Album review: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, The Sky Is Crying (1991)
Album review: John Mellencamp, Whenever We Wanted (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 14, 1991 By Steve Newton First it was Johnny Cougar, then John Cougar, then John Cougar Mellencamp, and now John Mellencamp. On his next album he’ll probably just be John. But that’s okay, ’cause names aren’t important when your music’s as brilliant as it is on Whenever … Continue reading Album review: John Mellencamp, Whenever We Wanted (1991)
Album review: Richie Sambora, Stranger in This Town (1991)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, OCT. 17, 1991 By Steve Newton Who would have thought that Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora—the only member of that band cuter than BJ himself—would have what it takes to deliver an album as mature and diverse as Stranger in This Town? Aided by primo bassist/Stick-man Tony Levin and … Continue reading Album review: Richie Sambora, Stranger in This Town (1991)