Various Artists: Roadhouse Soundtrack (1989)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 9, 1989 By Steve Newton Hard-core Jeff Healey fans who've already worn out their copies of See the Light and can't wait for the guitar wizard's next LP may want to pick this record up, 'cause Healey goes hog wild on four tracks, including the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" … Continue reading Various Artists: Roadhouse Soundtrack (1989)

Bob Seger’s 20 best songs, from wicked to freakin’ awesome

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

Is Jim McCarty’s lead break on Bob Seger’s “Get Out of Denver” the second-greatest guitar solo of all time?

By Steve Newton Back in 2015 I wrote a fun blog in which I declared that Mick Ronson's guitar solo on Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy was "the greatest guitar solo of all time". Now, I know as well as anybody that it's pointless to try and rank guitar solos--or guitar players, for that … Continue reading Is Jim McCarty’s lead break on Bob Seger’s “Get Out of Denver” the second-greatest guitar solo of all time?

Bob Seger’s killer band helps the rock legend shine in Vancouver

  photos by Jet Sutherland By Steve Newton Bob Seger's choice of walk-on music for his current tour is "The Old Man Down the Road", which could be Seger's way of acknowledging that he'll turn 70 in two months. Or it could be that he just loves John Fogerty's swamp-rock classic from '84. Either way, it was … Continue reading Bob Seger’s killer band helps the rock legend shine in Vancouver

The best hit single Bob Seger never had

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 6, 2015 By Steve Newton In case you weren't aware, American rock legend Bob Seger is playing Vancouver tomorrow night. He turns 70 in two months, so who knows how long he's gonna keep touring. If you haven't seen him yet, now might be the time. The first time I saw … Continue reading The best hit single Bob Seger never had

Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1978

I'll always remember 1978 as the year I saw Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, when they were touring behind You're Gonna Get It. I'll also remember it for that time Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham took me backstage when the band opened for Styx at the Coliseum. Unfortunately, I'll … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1978

Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1975

Ah, 1975. The year I graduated high school. Talk about dazed and confused. Albums listed alphabetically by title, including three choice tracks from each one to help you remember how wicked they really were. Against the Grain: Rory Gallagher ("Bought and Sold", "Out on the Western Plain", "Lost at Sea") America's Choice: Hot Tuna ("Sleep … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1975

Seger, Sabbath, Satch & the Mule: Vancouver’s top concerts of 2013

JOE SATRIANI PHOTO BY THE NEWT As far as huge events go, 2013 didn't boast the killer Roger Waters and Paul McCartney concerts that made 2012 such a memorable year for stadium shows in Vancouver. But in terms of club and theatre gigs there wasn't much to beef about during the last 12 months. Especially if you like the … Continue reading Seger, Sabbath, Satch & the Mule: Vancouver’s top concerts of 2013

Taking my sis to see the Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man

By Steve Newton It's nice when you can pay somebody back for turning you on to great music when you were a kid. Back in the '70s, my older sister got me into everybody from Steely Dan to Robin Trower to Lynyrd Skynyrd. But I'll always be especially thankful for her getting me into Bob … Continue reading Taking my sis to see the Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man

Bob Seger has all the Night Moves in Vancouver

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 28, 2013 By Steve Newton At the aftershow party following Bob Seger's near sell-out gig at Rogers Arena last night (March 27), his longtime saxophonist Alto Reed--best known for the stirring intro to "Turn the Page" and the party-hearty solo on "Old Time Rock and Roll"--was asked about Seger's recent … Continue reading Bob Seger has all the Night Moves in Vancouver

Blue Öyster Cult: “The world’s biggest underground band” (in 1982)

By Steve Newton One of the first interviews I ever did with a rock band I was totally nuts about happened way back in August of 1982. The mighty Blue Öyster Cult was playing Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum--with Aldo Nova opening up!--and the weekly paper I was still new at, the Georgia Straight, wanted me to … Continue reading Blue Öyster Cult: “The world’s biggest underground band” (in 1982)