By Steve Newton I'm sure some folks will complain that "Night Moves" isn't #1, but man, "Till It Shines" just does it for me. "Take the chip off of my shoulder/Smooth out all the lines/Take me out among the rustling pines/Till it shines." 20. "Against the Wind" (Against the Wind, 1980) 19. "Roll Me Away" … Continue reading Bob Seger’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s
By Steve Newton Remember how you'd set the needle down on the opening track of a new rock album and the first tune would just blow you the funk away? Me too. "(Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party" (Bloodshot, J. Geils Band, 1973) "All the Way From Memphis" (Mott, Mott the Hoople, 1973) "Already Gone" … Continue reading The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s
That time I asked Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes about working with legendary producer Tom Dowd
By Steve Newton that's Dowd on the far left, hangin' with Warren and the Brothers By Steve Newton Legendary producer Tom Dowd has worked with some of the biggest names in the music biz, including--as Warren Haynes points out in this audio excerpt from 1994--Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and John Coltrane. But it was Dowd's … Continue reading That time I asked Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes about working with legendary producer Tom Dowd
Rock and Roll Damnation: the heavy-metal concert review as post-secondary writing exercise
By Steve Newton There's a comedic reading series running in Vancouver called Teen Angst Night, where people read embarrassing things they wrote as a youth. This is kinda like that. When I was taking English 304 at UBC one of the assignments was to write something where each sentence started with a different letter of … Continue reading Rock and Roll Damnation: the heavy-metal concert review as post-secondary writing exercise
The Drive-By Truckers’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton So far I've posted these wacky "20 best songs" lists for some of my fave bands from the '70s, including Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Robin Trower, Van Halen, AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, and Thin Lizzy. When I decided to compile one for the Drive-By Truckers, who are … Continue reading The Drive-By Truckers’ 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
Steve Cropper says that he knows his limitations as a guitar player
Steve Newton It was one of the biggest thrills of my 37 years of rock writing to chat with Steve Cropper for the first time in 2019. He's recorded and performed with many of the world's finest musicians, and is widely regarded as one of the top guitarists of all time. So I was kinda … Continue reading Steve Cropper says that he knows his limitations as a guitar player
That time Warren Haynes told me that his Allman Brothers song “Soulshine” was inspired by his dad
By Steve Newton There some tunes that just grab you by the heart with their simple beauty and honesty and, if you're lucky, maybe a wailing Les Paul guitar. "Soulshine" is one of 'em. When I interviewed Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes for the first time, a quarter-century ago, the band was touring behind its … Continue reading That time Warren Haynes told me that his Allman Brothers song “Soulshine” was inspired by his dad
I just did the Toddcast Podcast, with a little help from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ronnie James Dio, Gregg Allman, and Bruce Fairbairn
By Steve Newton I can't believe I opened for Corey Hart today! Okay, it wasn't like I warmed up the audience for the "Sunglasses at Night" guy on his Back from the '80s Seeking Cash Tour or anything. But I did make my first-ever guest appearance on a podcast, so that's pretty cool. Todd Hancock--the … Continue reading I just did the Toddcast Podcast, with a little help from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ronnie James Dio, Gregg Allman, and Bruce Fairbairn
Deep Purple’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
By Steve Newton Machine Head still rules. 20. "And the Address" (Shades of Deep Purple, 1968) 19. "Flight of the Rat" (Deep Purple in Rock, 1970) 18. "Lay Down, Stay Down" (Burn, 1974) 17. "Gypsy" (Stormbringer, 1974) 16. "Wring that Neck" (The Book of Taliesyn, 1968) 15. "Hush" (Shades of Deep Purple, 1968) 14. "Soldier … Continue reading Deep Purple’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome
That time Lemmy from Motörhead made me feel like a twit because I hadn’t heard Skunk Anansie yet
By Steve Newton One thing you had to love about Lemmy Kilmister--apart from his brain-rattling music--was how good he was at being himself. He wasn't the type to put on airs. He said whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And if he happened to hurt your wittle bitty feelings being Lenny, tough titty. That was … Continue reading That time Lemmy from Motörhead made me feel like a twit because I hadn’t heard Skunk Anansie yet
Steve Cropper says that his favourite living guitarist isn’t Clapton, Beck, or Page–it’s Feliciano
By Steve Newton I interviewed guitar legend Steve Cropper last week, in advance of his gig with Dave Mason in Vancouver this Wednesday, and man was I psyched about that. You just can't find musicians with more cred than Crop. So of course I had to ask the 77-year-old fretmaster my standard question for players … Continue reading Steve Cropper says that his favourite living guitarist isn’t Clapton, Beck, or Page–it’s Feliciano
Dick Dale signed the Ear of Newt guitar
By Steve Newton Way back in July of 1993 I did my first interview with Dick Dale, the pioneering surf-rock guitarist who passed away two nights ago. I chatted with the 56-year-old Californian in advance of a show at the Commodore Ballroom, one of the top live venues in Vancouver. After the gig I hung … Continue reading Dick Dale signed the Ear of Newt guitar