By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones snubbed Vancouver when it came time to book their current Zip Code Tour, which could very well be the group's last major trek outside the nursing home. But hardcore fans who've been bawling about that omission for months now can take some comfort in the fact that the money … Continue reading Rolling Stones super-deluxe box set falls short without Keith Richards mini cut-out
Tag: DVD
Paul McCartney & Wings deluxe-edition box sets are pretty sweet
By Steve Newton Nineteen-seventy-five was one hell of an awesome year for rock. That was when Floyd released Wish You Were Here, Zep dropped Physical Graffiti, and Lizzy unleashed Fighting.And a band named Wings, featuring ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, joined the fray with a 13-track monster titled Venus and Mars. Man, I played the crap out of that album. From the … Continue reading Paul McCartney & Wings deluxe-edition box sets are pretty sweet
Rush to issue box set with previously unreleased live footage (of John Rutsey!)
By Steve Newton If you're the type of diehard Rush freak who thinks who've seen everything the band's ever put to video, get ready for this. The Canuck prog-rock legends announced today that, on November 11, they'll be releasing R40, a 10-DVD/6-Blu-ray collector's boxed set which also includes all eight songs from a show in … Continue reading Rush to issue box set with previously unreleased live footage (of John Rutsey!)
The Life of Riley shows B.B. King’s talent flowing from a huge heart
There's a ton of incredible musicians who make appearances in B.B. King: The Life of Riley, a documentary about the Mississippi blues legend released on DVD and Blu-ray today (July 1). The lineup includes such amazing guitarists as Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Derek Trucks, Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, Jonny Lang, Johnny Winter, Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Wayne … Continue reading The Life of Riley shows B.B. King’s talent flowing from a huge heart
Quadrophenia: Live in London gets primo packaging in a collector’s edition
By Steve Newton I've long posited that the Who's Quadrophenia is the greatest rock album of all time. The 1973 double-disc captured the British rock quartet at its creative peak, firing on all cylinders, and—thanks to Pete Townsend's songwriting skills—told a thoroughly engrossing tale of a young man's struggle for identity amid the Mods vs. Rockers turmoil … Continue reading Quadrophenia: Live in London gets primo packaging in a collector’s edition
Horror review: In Fear
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 28, 2014 A couple of weeks ago the fine folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment sent me a DVD copy of their latest horror release, In Fear, a British film that saw only limited theatrical release in North America last year, and never even made it into Vancouver theatres. The cover … Continue reading Horror review: In Fear
David Bowie’s A Reality Tour could have used some Aladdin Sane
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 5, 2010 By Steve Newton The first time I saw David Bowie in concert was at the Pacific Coliseum in early ’76 on the Station to Station tour. While it was an entrancing show—all blinding white light and Earl Slick’s biting, feedback-laden guitar—the Thin White Duke’s performance was clinical and … Continue reading David Bowie’s A Reality Tour could have used some Aladdin Sane
Drive-By Truckers captured at its raw and raucous best on Live from Austin TX
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 12, 2009 By Steve Newton Drive-By Truckers fans had cause for concern when long-time guitarist-vocalist Jason Isbell—one of the group’s main songwriters, along with cofounding singer-guitarists Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley—decided to leave the southern rock–influenced alt-country band in 2007. But the group simply responded by recruiting guitarist and pedal-steel … Continue reading Drive-By Truckers captured at its raw and raucous best on Live from Austin TX
Jeff Healey’s amazing legacy captured on three-disc package
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 3, 2008 By Steve Newton At eight months old Jeff Healey lost his eyesight to a rare form of cancer, but he would overcome that monumental setback to achieve critical acclaim and international stardom. The Toronto blues-rocker died way too soon—just last March at the age of 41—but he left … Continue reading Jeff Healey’s amazing legacy captured on three-disc package
Nine Lives box set best suited for hardcore Robert Plant fans only
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 13, 2006 By Steve Newton Only hard-core fans of Robert Plant’s post-Zeppelin output should invest in the 10-disc Nine Lives set, which includes his nine solo albums—from 1982’s Pictures of Eleven through last year’s Mighty Rearranger—plus bonus tracks and an hourlong DVD. Nine Lives isn’t Christmas music, obviously, but that … Continue reading Nine Lives box set best suited for hardcore Robert Plant fans only
The Strat Pack DVD is a guitar freak’s dream come true
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 24, 2005 By Steve Newton Last year, in celebration of the Fender Stratocaster's 50th anniversary, an impressive array of electric guitarists got together at London's Wembley Arena to see what kind of joyful noise they could all make with Leo Fender's masterpiece of metal, plastic, and wood. The result is … Continue reading The Strat Pack DVD is a guitar freak’s dream come true
Cream live reunion DVD wasn’t worth hounding Clapton for
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 13, 2005 By Steve Newton In the interview portion of the new Cream DVD, Royal Albert Hall London 05, Eric Clapton explains how he's been dogged for the last 30 years by queries about whether the British power trio-which also included bassist-vocalist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker-would ever re-form. … Continue reading Cream live reunion DVD wasn’t worth hounding Clapton for
Ballsy blues-metal of AC/DC’s Family Jewels riles the budgie
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 26, 2005 By Steve Newton Some AC/DC fans feel that the band never recovered from the death of original vocalist Bon Scott; others argue that the Aussie earbusters hit their peak when Brian Johnson took over the mike on Back in Black. No matter which side you're on, if you're … Continue reading Ballsy blues-metal of AC/DC’s Family Jewels riles the budgie