ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 17, 2013 By Steve Newton Guess I shoulda known, from song titles like "Kickback City" and "Loanshark Blues"—not to mention "Continental Op"—that Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher had a passion for the crime-noir genre. For anyone else who might have missed out on that angle, Eagle Rock Entertainment is going to set … Continue reading Rory Gallagher crime-noir interests spawn Kickback City
35th anniversary Halloween Blu-ray brings classic horror back in HD
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 26, 2013 By Steve Newton The last Halloween movie to be released—Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 in 2009—was one nasty, gruesome bit of business. But unlike John Carpenter's 1978 original, it wasn't particularly scary. "Relentlessly disturbing though it is, the movie is not particularly frightening," opined one of the world's most esteemed and insightful horror-movie … Continue reading 35th anniversary Halloween Blu-ray brings classic horror back in HD
Black Sabbath to release live Blu-ray on which Ozzy’s vocals might not suck
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 3, 2013 By Steve Newton As anyone who went to see Black Sabbath in Vancouver six weeks ago knows, Ozzy Osbourne's vocals were hurtin' pretty bad. It really helped if you focused on the wicked performances of the other three players in the band, especially legendary riffmasterTony Iommi. But just today Sabbath posted … Continue reading Black Sabbath to release live Blu-ray on which Ozzy’s vocals might not suck
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s soul shines on Texas Flood Legacy Edition
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 28, 2013 By Steve Newton I consider myself extremely lucky when it comes to Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's one of my all-time fave guitarists--right up there with Rory Gallagher and Jeff Beck--and I was fortunate enough to see him play live several times before his tragic death on August 27, 1990, at the age … Continue reading Stevie Ray Vaughan’s soul shines on Texas Flood Legacy Edition
Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes joins Joe Bonamassa on Deep Purple tribute
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 11, 2012 By Steve Newton Deep Purple fans saddened by the cancer death of keyboardist Jon Lord last month have something to look forward to, as a 40th-anniversary tribute to the group's biggest album, Machine Head, is scheduled for release this September. On Re-Machined, some of the world's loudest bands will be covering songs from … Continue reading Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes joins Joe Bonamassa on Deep Purple tribute
Gary Moore plays Hendrix on upcoming Blues for Jimi Blu-ray
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 26, 2012 By Steve Newton The music world was shocked last year when, on February 6, word spread that Irish guitar legend Gary Moore had suddenly passed away while holidaying at a luxury resort in Spain. For some, it was bad news on a par with the tragic death of Jimi Hendrix, … Continue reading Gary Moore plays Hendrix on upcoming Blues for Jimi Blu-ray
The Stones & Muddy Waters make blues magic on Chicago’s south side
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JULY 31, 2012 By Steve Newton Eagle Rock Entertainment recently released the DVD Muddy Waters/The Rolling Stones/Checkerboard Lounge/Live Chicago 1981, and, man, is it a sweet treat for fans of electric blues. The coolest part of the concert comes when the Stones arrive while Muddy's a minute-and-a-half into "Baby Please Don't Go" … Continue reading The Stones & Muddy Waters make blues magic on Chicago’s south side
“Transmaniacon MC” an apt soundtrack for the mayhem of Altamont
The infamous concert at Altamont Speedway in northern California, which took place December 6, 1969, is often viewed as "the anti-Woodstock", its violence signalling the end of the peace-and-love era. A YouTube video that blends footage of the event from the 1970 Rolling Stones documentary Gimme Shelter with the 1972 Blue Oyster Cult song "Transmaniacon MC" makes … Continue reading “Transmaniacon MC” an apt soundtrack for the mayhem of Altamont
Deep Purple’s monumental Made in Japan gets box-set treatment
By Steve Newton Yesterday on its official YouTube channel, legendary rock band Deep Purple posted a video announcing the upcoming rerelease of its Made in Japan album in various formats, which include previously unseen footage on DVD, bonus material and mixes, memorabilia, and a hardback book. Made in Japan was recorded in Osaka and Budokan between August 15 and … Continue reading Deep Purple’s monumental Made in Japan gets box-set treatment
Jeff Beck, the world’s greatest rock guitarist, knocks the socks off a sold-out crowd in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 28, 2011 By Steve Newton British guitar legend Jeff Beck blew away the sold-out crowd at the Centre in Vancouver last night, performing his Stratified renditions of everything from the Beatles' "A Day in the Life" to The Wizard of Oz's "Over the Rainbow". But his amazing licks wouldn't have seemed … Continue reading Jeff Beck, the world’s greatest rock guitarist, knocks the socks off a sold-out crowd in Vancouver
Rolling Stones to release Some Girls Live in Texas 1978 on DVD and Blu-Ray
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, SEPT. 11, 2011 By Steve Newton A lot of diehard Rolling Stones fans feel strongly that the band's 1972 double album, Exile on Main St., is its finest recording ever. I'm more of a Some Girls guy myself, which is why I'm psyched that Eagle Rock Entertainment will be releasing Some Girls Live in Texas … Continue reading Rolling Stones to release Some Girls Live in Texas 1978 on DVD and Blu-Ray
Lick Library DVD reveals the secrets of Thin Lizzy’s timeless guitar licks
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 13, 2011 By Steve Newton Aspiring skinbashers with dreams of being the next Neil Peart may have abandoned all hope after seeing the Rush drummer's performance on Late Night With David Letterman last week. But fret freaks who've always wondered how the guitarists in Thin Lizzy made their magic can see numerous secrets … Continue reading Lick Library DVD reveals the secrets of Thin Lizzy’s timeless guitar licks
Rory Gallagher’s long-shelved studio album finally released
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 17, 2011 By Steve Newton Rory Gallagher fanatics have had a lot to be thankful for of late. Last September saw the release of Ghost Blues: The Story of Rory Gallagher, a revealing documentary that covered the Irish rock hero's entire career, and included commentary from such huge Gallagher fans … Continue reading Rory Gallagher’s long-shelved studio album finally released