That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she idolized Bonnie Raitt

By Steve Newton When I did my first interview with Susan Tedeschi, back in 1998, she was touring behind her Just Won't Burn album, which included a cover of John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery". When I asked her how she came to record that tune we got to talking about Bonnie Raitt, so I inquired … Continue reading That time I asked 28-year-old Susan Tedeschi if she idolized Bonnie Raitt

Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues overflows with deathless blues classics

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 18, 2003 By Steve Newton Many music fans have discovered the beauty of the blues while uncovering the roots of rock, yours truly included. Twenty-some-odd years ago I got set on that course by a pedal-steel guitarist and country-bluegrass performer named Smokin’ Joe Michno. As a dedicated hard-rock … Continue reading Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues overflows with deathless blues classics

Album review: Various Artists, A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan (1996)

  ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 29, 1996 By Steve Newton The folks behind this latest tribute to blues-rock guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan could hardly lose when they got Vaughan’s older brother (and biggest influence) Jimmie to organize and host a one-off concert featuring Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan (1996)

Susan Tedeschi just enjoys being a musician, pretty much

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 3, 1998 By Steve Newton When Susan Tedeschi’s cell phone rings in an L.A. hotel room, a female voice answers, but it isn’t the one I’m looking for. It’s actually Tedeschi’s mom, who, in a very motherly way, explains that her daughter’s in the bathtub. Sounding concerned that … Continue reading Susan Tedeschi just enjoys being a musician, pretty much

The Newt takes a wrong turn on Granville and winds up at a freakin’ jazz show

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 30, 1993 I like guitars a lot. I really do. As a matter of fact, up until last Thursday (Sept. 23), I don’t think I’d ever attended a concert that didn’t feature at least one of those six-stringed glories. So when I sat down at the Vogue and … Continue reading The Newt takes a wrong turn on Granville and winds up at a freakin’ jazz show

Rolling Stones give good bang for big-buck tickets

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 29, 2006 A lot has been made of the astronomical ticket prices the Rolling Stones charged on their recent stop in Vancouver, but considering today’s out-of-control construction costs (see 2010 Olympics), there’s some merit to their exorbitance. It looked as if the Stones’ 300-person production crew had built a five-storey … Continue reading Rolling Stones give good bang for big-buck tickets

Little Feat drummer and founding member Richie Hayward dies of liver cancer

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 13, 2010 Richie Hayward, the founding drummer and longtime member of rootsy southern-rock greats Little Feat, passed away yesterday at the age of 64 after a long battle with liver cancer. Hayward formed the band in 1969 with keyboardist Bill Payne and former Mothers of Invention members Lowell George (guitar) … Continue reading Little Feat drummer and founding member Richie Hayward dies of liver cancer

Well-travelled John Hiatt ponders life from the road

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, 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 … Continue reading Well-travelled John Hiatt ponders life from the road