ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 8, 1994 By Steve Newton This two-hour-long double CD is basically a digitally remixed and remastered version of the 1973 Derek and the Dominos double-album In Concert, which is a good thing in itself, but the bonus is that it includes five previously unreleased performances, all culled from … Continue reading Album review: Derek and the Dominos, Live at the Fillmore (1994)
Tag: Eric Clapton
Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page, but Mick Fleetwood says “he was the guy”
Steve Newton Sad news for music fans today. Peter Green, the British guitarist who made a name for himself with his stunning work in the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac, has passed away at the age of 73. Long before the pop-minded duo of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham put their radio-friendly stamp on Fleetwood Mac, … Continue reading Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page, but Mick Fleetwood says “he was the guy”
That time Doyle Bramhall II told me about his dad’s connections to Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan
By Steve Newton If you're a Stevie Ray Vaughan fan who also likes reading liner notes you've no doubt noticed the name Doyle Bramhall on a number of Stevie Ray Vaughan albums. Bramhall is credited with cowriting such SRV tunes as "Dirty Pool" (from Texas Flood) and In Step's "The House is Rockin'", "Tightrope", "Wall … Continue reading That time Doyle Bramhall II told me about his dad’s connections to Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan
That time Doyle Bramhall II told me what it was like touring with the “brilliant” Eric Clapton
By Steve Newton Over the years I've asked various famous guitarists who they'd most like to play with, if they could choose anyone in the world, and more often than not the answer is Eric Clapton. Doyle Bramhall II is one of the lucky ones who've swapped solos with Slowhand. When I interviewed him back … Continue reading That time Doyle Bramhall II told me what it was like touring with the “brilliant” Eric Clapton
That time I asked J.J. Cale which covers of his songs he liked best and Clapton’s didn’t even come up
By Steve Newton When you think about the J.J. Cale songs that other artists have covered and made famous, Eric Clapton's versions of "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" usually make the cut. (Lynyrd Skynyrd's take on "Call Me the Breeze" and Santana's rendition of "The Sensitive Kind" also come to mind.) But when I did my … Continue reading That time I asked J.J. Cale which covers of his songs he liked best and Clapton’s didn’t even come up
That time Doyle Bramhall II called from Chicago and told me how he came to work with Eric Clapton
todd v. wolfson photo By Steve Newton Unless you're a hardcore fan of bluesy music or a devoted follower of Eric Clapton you may not recognize the name Doyle Bramhall II, but he's been one of the most in-demand guitarists in the blues-rock world for many years. I did my first interview with him back … Continue reading That time Doyle Bramhall II called from Chicago and told me how he came to work with Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton stopped the car when he heard Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar solo on “Let’s Dance”
By Steve Newton Where were you when you first heard Stevie Ray Vaughan's killer guitar playing on David Bowie's 1983 hit single, "Let's Dance"? It was definitely the type of thing that caught your ear, because you sure as shit didn't hear much Albert King-style soloing on commercial radio up until that point. According to … Continue reading Eric Clapton stopped the car when he heard Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar solo on “Let’s Dance”
That time I asked Buddy Guy about the greatest musical moment of his life and it turns out there’s a few
By Steve Newton I've been fortunate enough to have interviewed Buddy Guy five times so far, and every time I did I was psyched to chat with him. In case you didn't know, that dude can play! And he was playing particularly well the first time I talked to him, back in 1991, just after … Continue reading That time I asked Buddy Guy about the greatest musical moment of his life and it turns out there’s a few
That time I asked Dr. John which musician he was most proud of working with
By Steve Newton If you're a dedicated music fan you’ve no doubt heard by now that Dr. John passed away the other day. He was one helluva musician, which is why everybody and their dog wanted to play with him. He started hanging with folks like Professor Longhair and Earl King as a teenager. When … Continue reading That time I asked Dr. John which musician he was most proud of working with
Album review: Tina Turner, Tina Live in Europe (1988)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 20, 1988 By Steve Newton When you're arguably the world's best female rock vocalist, you make friends easily. Tina Turner does, and a lot of those friends show up on her new double-live album, recorded last year in Britain, West Germany, and Sweden. Ms. Turner sings duets with Bryan Adams on … Continue reading Album review: Tina Turner, Tina Live in Europe (1988)
Atlanta guitar hero Tinsley Ellis on covering Leon Russell, adoring Eric Clapton, and listening to Tom Dowd
By Steve Newton The last time yours truly interviewed American blues-rocker Tinsley Ellis was 10 years ago, when he called the Georgia Straight in advance of a gig at the Yale Hotel, Vancouver’s top blues venue for decades. Sadly, the Granville Street joint hasn’t been a real home of the blues for years now, a fact not … Continue reading Atlanta guitar hero Tinsley Ellis on covering Leon Russell, adoring Eric Clapton, and listening to Tom Dowd
Album review: Eric Clapton, Me and Mr. Johnson (2004)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 22, 2004 By Steve Newton Ten years ago, Eric Clapton issued an astounding love letter to the blues titled From the Cradle, which featured some of his most fiery electric-guitar work since the Derek and the Dominos days. Apart from two overdubs, the 16-track CD was a live, … Continue reading Album review: Eric Clapton, Me and Mr. Johnson (2004)
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)