Buddy Guy embraces North Mississippi hill-country blues on Sweet Tea

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 28, 2001 By Steve Newton Buddy Guy has always gotten by just fine with the time-tested, Chicago-style blues he’s famous for. In the ’60s and ’70s, his work was a huge influence on the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan; later on it paid off with the widespread popularity … Continue reading Buddy Guy embraces North Mississippi hill-country blues on Sweet Tea

Richard Pryor’s convictions cut deep on Joe Henry’s Scar

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21, 2001 By Steve Newton Richard Pryor is my favourite comedian of all time. Back in the ’70s I used to buy all his records; later on I’d go see all his concert movies, or rent them on video. And I couldn’t put down his brutally honest biography, Pryor Convictions, when … Continue reading Richard Pryor’s convictions cut deep on Joe Henry’s Scar

Sax great Bobby Keys was much more than a sideman for the Stones

Bobby Keys passed away this morning at the age of 70 after battling cirrhosis. He was best known as the saxophonist for the Rolling Stones, having blasted out that unforgettable solo on "Brown Sugar". He also blew like crazy on such Stones gems as "Happy" (from Exile on Main Street) and "Live With Me" (from Let It … Continue reading Sax great Bobby Keys was much more than a sideman for the Stones

AC/DC studio ace Mike Fraser is happy Phil Rudd doesn’t tickle the drums

Today is the big day for AC/DC fans, when the Aussie blues-metal legends release their new album Rock or Bust. The band has been making a lot of headlines in the past few months, though not the positive kind you'd expect from a group that has, for over 40 years, been giving the world some of … Continue reading AC/DC studio ace Mike Fraser is happy Phil Rudd doesn’t tickle the drums

Myles Goodwyn says that April Wine was one of the first bands to hit all the small towns in Canada

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 24, 2001 By Steve Newton Back in high school in the mid-’70s, I knew a lot of people who were big April Wine fans. Heck, even now I know a lot of people who are big April Wine fans. I try to avoid them, but they’re everywhere! You can even find … Continue reading Myles Goodwyn says that April Wine was one of the first bands to hit all the small towns in Canada

Guitar Shorty says Jimi Hendrix used to go AWOL to catch his gigs

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 17, 2001 By Steve Newton Hordes of rock guitarists have been influenced by Jimi Hendrix, but only a few would claim that he was influenced by them. According to Guitar Shorty’s latest bio, in the ’60s Hendrix would go AWOL from the U.S. Army in order to catch Shorty’s gigs at … Continue reading Guitar Shorty says Jimi Hendrix used to go AWOL to catch his gigs

Chicago blues ace Lil’ Ed Williams learned to be nice from his uncle J.B. Hutto

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 3, 2001 On the cover of his latest CD, Get Wild!, blues-rocker Lil’ Ed Williams is pictured atop his rhythm guitarist’s shoulders, lookin’ sharp in a black-and-gold fez, sporting a huge grin and a red Washburn guitar with the name Pamela in block letters on the front. That’s … Continue reading Chicago blues ace Lil’ Ed Williams learned to be nice from his uncle J.B. Hutto

David Gogo gets tongue-tied around Jeff Beck, “the best guitarist in the world”

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 26, 2001 One of the best perks of being a Media Slut From Hell—I mean, music journalist—is getting backstage to pose for photos with your fave rock gods. At my house, there’s a hallowed location on an office wall where I’ve hung a framed snapshot of me and … Continue reading David Gogo gets tongue-tied around Jeff Beck, “the best guitarist in the world”

Malcolm Young calls Powerage his favourite AC/DC album backstage in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 26, 2001 By Steve Newton There are three things that are inevitable in this world: death, taxes, and a ringing in your ears after seeing AC/DC. As I write this review, it’s been two hours since the Aussie rockers left the Coliseum stage in a flurry of golden confetti, and the … Continue reading Malcolm Young calls Powerage his favourite AC/DC album backstage in Vancouver

Rock or Bust mixer Mike Fraser picks his all-time favourite AC/DC song, and it’s a Bon Scott tune!

The new AC/DC album, Rock or Bust, hits stores tomorrow, boasting 11 songs crammed into 35 minutes. Maybe your all-time favourite AC/DC tune will be among them. Maybe not. It's pretty hard to beat the old AC/DC stuff--just ask Langley's Mike Fraser, who engineered and mixed Rock or Bust, and has been working with the band since 1990. … Continue reading Rock or Bust mixer Mike Fraser picks his all-time favourite AC/DC song, and it’s a Bon Scott tune!

Brent Butt lauds the authenticity of Corner Gas…and Trailer Park Boys too

So Brent Butt called me up last week to chat about his upcoming film, Corner Gas: The Movie--which opens in select theatres December 3--and we got to talking about his TV series Corner Gas in relation to Trailer Park Boys, another Canadian TV sitcom that flaunts its Canuck-ness while garnering chuckles aplenty. There's a little more swearing … Continue reading Brent Butt lauds the authenticity of Corner Gas…and Trailer Park Boys too

Ear of Newt exclusive: Mike Fraser says AC/DC was all business on Rock or Bust: “We were there to get it done.”

By Steve Newton The anticipation surrounding the impending release of the new AC/DC album, Rock or Bust, has been building for months. The fact that it's the legendary Aussie hard-rockers' first release without original rhythm-guitarist and co-songwriter Malcolm Young has been making headlines, and this Tuesday (December 2) the physical product will hit stores. With or … Continue reading Ear of Newt exclusive: Mike Fraser says AC/DC was all business on Rock or Bust: “We were there to get it done.”