Tag: B.B. King

Vancouver guitar ace Russell Marsland travels to the heart of the blues with Dig Deep

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 2004 By Steve Newton Local guitar ace Russell Marsland has been a powerful presence on the Vancouver music scene for more than 30 years. At 15, he would sneak out of his parents' East Van residence to play between strip shows at the Penthouse; two years later he was in … Continue reading Vancouver guitar ace Russell Marsland travels to the heart of the blues with Dig Deep

Sonny Landreth hoped some of Albert King’s cosmic dust would rub off on him

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 25, 2004 By Steve Newton Unless you're an avid follower of guitar players--and slide-guitar specialists, in particular--you may not have heard of Sonny Landreth. According to Eric Clapton, he is "probably the most underestimated musician on the planet". But that didn't stop Landreth from earning a Grammy nomination for his 2003 … Continue reading Sonny Landreth hoped some of Albert King’s cosmic dust would rub off on him

As a kid Kenny Wayne Shepherd imagined he was Johnny Winter playing guitar on Muddy Waters’ Hard Again LP

"On this project I was up there playing with that entire [Muddy Waters] band, and the only one that was really missing was Muddy, man.”

Legendary guitar creator Les Paul dies

Ir ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 13, 2009 Les Paul, famed guitar player and creator of the solid-body Gibson guitar that bears his name, died today (August 13) at the age of 94 in White Plains, New York. Paul, the electronics mastermind who also created multitrack recording and tape delay, first gained popularity in the … Continue reading Legendary guitar creator Les Paul dies

John Hiatt recalls the “Old Days” at the Commodore when the weed smelled like cat pee

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 25, 2010 By Steve Newton John Hiatt is a songwriter's songwriter, which is why such esteemed artists as Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, and Bonnie Raitt have recorded his tunes. When Canuck blues-rocker Jeff Healey blasted onto the scene in 1988 he doubled up on the Hiatt material, using both “Confidence Man” … Continue reading John Hiatt recalls the “Old Days” at the Commodore when the weed smelled like cat pee

Carlos Santana says you get the tone with what you’re thinking

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 24, 2011 By Steve Newton There's a quote on Carlos Santana’s official website that reads: “When you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day in your life.” If that’s true, then anyone who’s heard Santana effortlessly channel the sound of pure joy through his instrument knows that he hasn’t … Continue reading Carlos Santana says you get the tone with what you’re thinking

Joe Bonamassa says “a good bashing” is due after Rolling Stone’s lame Greatest Guitarists list

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 14, 2011 By Steve Newton When blues-guitar great Hubert Sumlin passed away on December 4 at the age of 80, it didn’t take long for the condolences and accolades to hit cyberspace. Within hours, ace picker Joe Bonamassa had tweeted his heartfelt sentiments, saying what a huge effect the “extraordinary” musician … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa says “a good bashing” is due after Rolling Stone’s lame Greatest Guitarists list

Buddy Guy lets Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks get their licks in on stellar Skin Deep

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 2008 By Steve Newton When Buddy Guy calls from Las Vegas at 7 on a Saturday morning, the sleep-deprived interviewer on the receiving end is still waiting for the coffee to kick in. But the 72-year-old Guy has already been up for hours. "Oh man, I was born and raised … Continue reading Buddy Guy lets Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks get their licks in on stellar Skin Deep