By Steve Newton Yesterday I came across a tweet from the awesome bluesharp Twitter feed that included a couple of minutes of guitar legend Albert King tearing up it up on his Flying V in the company of Stevie Ray Vaughan. After I retweeted it, I got to thinking that maybe I should post another … Continue reading That time I made Albert King laugh by saying that I thought “King of the Blues” was B.B.’s title
Tag: Albert King
Rory Gallagher’s stunning Blues should be his ticket to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
By Steve Newton Life is full of unanswered questions. Like, is there life after death? Are UFOs real? And why the hell isn't Rory Gallagher in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? I've been asking that last question for a few years now, via various blog posts, and the usual response from dedicated Gallagher … Continue reading Rory Gallagher’s stunning Blues should be his ticket to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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)
Albert King’s “adopted grandson” Little Jimmy King salvages Vancouver gig with Hendrix-style string-chomping
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton Sometimes greatness takes a while to reveal itself, and that was certainly the case at the Commodore on June 30. After a set of gospel-laced blues and spiritual tunes by the Holmes Brothers that included some soulful harmonizing on dusty standards such as … Continue reading Albert King’s “adopted grandson” Little Jimmy King salvages Vancouver gig with Hendrix-style string-chomping
That time I asked B.B. King who his “King of the Blues” would be
By Steve Newton Way back in 1984 I did my first interview with B.B. King when he was playing a string of shows at the Plazazz Showroom in North Vancouver. Man, was he ever a nice guy. Here he is talking about what it's like to carry the title of King of the Blues, and … Continue reading That time I asked B.B. King who his “King of the Blues” would be
That time I tried telling Albert King that Elmore James was his biggest influence
By Steve Newton When I look back over my 39-year career in music journalism, there are some folks that I'm really, really glad I got to talk to. Like Albert King. Of the three big Kings--sorry B.B. and Freddie--I think I appreciate Albert the most. There was something about the way he could wring deep, … Continue reading That time I tried telling Albert King that Elmore James was his biggest influence
Coco Montoya was transformed by the sheer soul of Alberts Collins and King
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 18, 2003 By Steve Newton Many guitarists can pinpoint a moment in their youth when they knew they were destined for a life in music. For blues-rocker Coco Montoya it happened in 1969, at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. He’d gone there to see Creedence Clearwater Revival and … Continue reading Coco Montoya was transformed by the sheer soul of Alberts Collins and King
The Doors box set documents the band in all its unrefined glory
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 11, 1997 By Steve Newton This four-disc package of Doors material, spanning the years 1965 to ’71, favours previously unreleased live tracks and demo recordings over studio-polished hits, and documents the band in all its eccentric, unrefined, and—with tunes that pass the 18-minute mark—excessive glory. Its mix of … Continue reading The Doors box set documents the band in all its unrefined glory
Warren Haynes on the Allman Brothers reunion, Dickey Betts’ signature sound, and Where It All Begins
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 27, 1994 By Steve Newton Word on the street is that the Allman Brothers Band is playing some of the finest, most intense gigs of its illustrious career. And according to people who have seen the group recently, it’s not just the best-known members—Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman—who are making things … Continue reading Warren Haynes on the Allman Brothers reunion, Dickey Betts’ signature sound, and Where It All Begins
My one and only interview with legendary bluesman Albert King
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 30, 1990 By Steve Newton The influence of the blues on British supergroups is well documented. The Stones, Zeppelin, Cream—they all lapped up the seminal works of people like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Howlin’ Wolf. Across the sea in Ireland, a young guitarist named Gary Moore also picked up on … Continue reading My one and only interview with legendary bluesman Albert King
Rock Hall fucks up royally again, nominates Chic instead of Rory Gallagher
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 16, 2013 By Steve Newton The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has done it again. It's made a complete ass of itself by nominating, for the eighth time, Chic. When you consider that somebody like Irish guitar hero Rory Gallagher hasn't once been given the nod, it's utterly preposterous. No less … Continue reading Rock Hall fucks up royally again, nominates Chic instead of Rory Gallagher
Albert King gets inducted into the Rock Hall tonight: it’s about fucking time
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, APRIL 18, 2013 By Steve Newton The brainiacs over at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will redeem themselves for years of bad calls when they finally induct blues legend Albert King into their hallowed institution tonight. The gatekeepers at the Cleveland-based facility have been getting flack for years for not inducting Canadian … Continue reading Albert King gets inducted into the Rock Hall tonight: it’s about fucking time
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson calls the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “a popularity contest”
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 20, 2012 By Steve Newton If you're a Rush fan, you've no doubt heard that the Canuck power trio has finally been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group has been eligible for induction since 1999--25 years after the release of its self-titled debut album (featuring … Continue reading Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson calls the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “a popularity contest”