ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Today he's regarded by critics and musicians alike as one of the most distinctive guitarists in the world. He's been the principal soloist for the likes of U.K., Gong, Bill Bruford, Soft Machine, Tony Williams' Lifetime and Jean-Luc Ponty. And he's one of the few players … Continue reading Humble guitar master Allan Holdsworth always struggles to pay the rent
That time Tony Iommi told me that a second Black Sabbath album with Ian Gillan would probably turn out better than Born Again
By Steve Newton A few days ago I posted a blog that featured a snippet from my 1984 interview with Tony Iommi, in which he talked about blowing up Black Sabbath singer Ian Gillan’s boat during the recording sessions for Born Again. As any Sabbath fan knows, the band only made one album with Gillan … Continue reading That time Tony Iommi told me that a second Black Sabbath album with Ian Gillan would probably turn out better than Born Again
That time Gord Downie told me that talking about the Tragically Hip’s new Fully Completely album made him sound like a commercial pitchman
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1992 I did my second interview with Gord Downie, when he called me up to promote the Tragically Hip's new album, Fully Completely, which I firmly believe is their best ever. I started off by observing that it was their most varied album yet, and Downie took it … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that talking about the Tragically Hip’s new Fully Completely album made him sound like a commercial pitchman
The Shallows is harrowing and ridiculous, just like Jaws
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 23, 2016 By Steve Newton As a horror director, Jaume Collet-Serra has had his ups and downs. He impressed with his feverishly twisted 2005 debut House of Wax, then lost all credibility with the godawful Orphan four years later. It seems like the third time is the charm, though, as Collet-Serra totally … Continue reading The Shallows is harrowing and ridiculous, just like Jaws
The Neon Demon takes an arty puke on the fashion industry
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 22, 2016 By Steve Newton L.A.’s high-fashion industry gets eaten alive and puked back up in Danish provocateur Nicolas Winding Refn’s depraved and baffling The Neon Demon, a psychosexual satire on the quest for female beauty masquerading as an arthouse horror flick. Elle Fanning stars as virginal 16-year-old Jesse, whom we … Continue reading The Neon Demon takes an arty puke on the fashion industry
That time Tony Iommi told me about the guys from Black Sabbath blowing up singer Ian Gillan’s boat
By Steve Newton Back in January of 1984 I called Tony Iommi up for a chat at his home in Birmingham, England. I was pretty psyched, since Sabbath albums like Paranoid, Volume 4, and Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath had meant a lot to me as a metal-loving teenager in the '70s, growing up in the wilds of … Continue reading That time Tony Iommi told me about the guys from Black Sabbath blowing up singer Ian Gillan’s boat
Susan Tedeschi thinks Derek Trucks is “a little burnt out” from the Allman Brothers Band
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Susan Tedeschi recently, in advance of the Tedeschi Trucks show in Vancouver this month, I asked her what she'd been listening to in her spare time. She replied that her and hubby Derek Trucks had been really enjoying the latest Wood Brothers album Paradise--which they played on one track … Continue reading Susan Tedeschi thinks Derek Trucks is “a little burnt out” from the Allman Brothers Band
Susan Tedeschi bought Derek Trucks binoculars for his birthday ’cause he already has too many guitars
By Steve Newton The day before Susan Tedeschi called me to chat about the Tedeschi Trucks Band, her husband and bandmate Derek Trucks celebrated his 37th birthday. Since Trucks is revered as one of the world’s top slide-guitarists, I ask Tedeschi if she bought him a new six-string to mark the occasion. Her answer isn’t … Continue reading Susan Tedeschi bought Derek Trucks binoculars for his birthday ’cause he already has too many guitars
The greatest concert experience of my life: Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Greek Theatre, June 13, 1986
By Steve Newton As far as rock concerts go, I've been a very lucky mofo. My 30-some-odd years as a music journalist have provided me with scores of awesome memories. But the one that stands out as tops is seeing Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, on … Continue reading The greatest concert experience of my life: Bob Dylan with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Greek Theatre, June 13, 1986
Susan Tedeschi can’t wait to get Doyle Bramhall II’s new album
By Steve Newton Susan Tedeschi called me up from her home in Florida last week in advance of the Tedeschi Trucks Band show in Vancouver this month. We go way back, as I first interviewed her in 1998 when she was a solo artist with a new debut album. While we were chatting about her … Continue reading Susan Tedeschi can’t wait to get Doyle Bramhall II’s new album
Bass god Stu Hamm compares Joe Satriani to Steve Vai and raves about Jaco Pastorius
By Steve Newton Way back in October of 1991 I did an interview with bassist Stu Hamm, a giant of the four-string who was best known for his work with guitar heroes Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. He had recently released his album The Urge, and was headed to Vancouver for a club gig. At … Continue reading Bass god Stu Hamm compares Joe Satriani to Steve Vai and raves about Jaco Pastorius
That time Gord Downie told me about the music scene in Kingston and being influenced by the Yardbirds and Stones
By Steve Newton Back in 2016, when the awful news about Gord Downie's incurable brain cancer came out, I started posting excerpts from the first interview I did with him in 1989. The first one had him talking about a couple of the tunes on the Hip's then-new album, Up to Here, and the second one … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me about the music scene in Kingston and being influenced by the Yardbirds and Stones
The Conjuring 2 is so long it hurts
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 10, 2016 By Steve Newton My biggest beef with The Conjuring 2 isn't that it's an overbaked and predictable possessed-kid-in-a-haunted-house flick. Or that it's one of those "based on a true story" projects that you just know is all fiction. The worst thing about it by far is its running time. Why … Continue reading The Conjuring 2 is so long it hurts