ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 5, 2013 By Steve Newton You might think that the pressure of travelling around the world with an 11-piece band that includes your soul mate might be a tad hard to take at times. But guitarist Derek Trucks—coleader of the Tedeschi Trucks Band with his wife, singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi—says not so … Continue reading Tedeschi Trucks enlists Clapton collaborator Doyle Bramhall II
Tag: Eric Clapton
14-year-old guitarist Quinn Sullivan was blown away by a “terrifyingly good” Buddy Guy at the age of six
The latest young whippersnapper to draw the attention of blues-rock fans is 14-year-old Quinn Sullivan, who started out real early.
Buddy Guy dedicated his Blues Singer album to John Lee Hooker
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 19, 2004 By Steve Newton Chicago blues great Buddy Guy has played the Commodore Ballroom many times during his 45-year career, but the next time he visits the historic venue he won't be sporting his trademark black Strat with the big white polka dots. For the first time here, the guitar … Continue reading Buddy Guy dedicated his Blues Singer album to John Lee Hooker
Dr. John says that he has 180 songs in the band book
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 4, 2004 By Steve Newton You learn pretty quickly as a music writer not to put too much faith in recording artists' bios. Once in a while, though, the proclamations heard in those promotional sheets actually turn out to be true. Take the opening line of the current PR blurb for … Continue reading Dr. John says that he has 180 songs in the band book
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
Eric Clapton gets shown up by Doyle Bramhall II in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 28, 2007 By Steve Newton A few days before attending last Friday's (March 23) Eric Clapton/Robert Cray show, I came across a timely TV broadcast of Taylor Hackford's 1986 concert documentary, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll. Both Clapton and Cray are featured in it, the former performing the … Continue reading Eric Clapton gets shown up by Doyle Bramhall II in Vancouver
Sheryl Crow keeps it classy in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 5, 2008 Sheryl Crow doesn’t suffer fools—or dickheads like Karl Rove— gladly. That’s why, after getting involved in a heated exchange on global warming with George W. Bush’s former deputy chief of staff at a White House dinner last year, she became hell-bent on using her art to strike back … Continue reading Sheryl Crow keeps it classy in Vancouver
Sonny Landreth’s smokin’ slide heats up the Yale in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 20, 2009 A sell-out crowd of slide-guitar freaks converged on the Yale Hotel last night (February 19) to take in one of the world's most amazing bottleneck players. Louisiana's Sonny Landreth kept the audience entranced with a set that focused on material from his star-studded new CD From the Reach—which boasts … Continue reading Sonny Landreth’s smokin’ slide heats up the Yale in Vancouver
Leon Russell and Doyle Bramhall II help pedal-steel ace Robert Randolph shine
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 16, 2010 By Steve Newton Pedal-steel virtuoso Randolph had no problem getting people like Ben Harper and Leon Russell to perform on his upcoming CD, We Walk This Road, which is set for release on June 22. His mind-blowing musicianship alone might have convinced them to offer their talents, but having … Continue reading Leon Russell and Doyle Bramhall II help pedal-steel ace Robert Randolph shine
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
Clean-living music-biz veteran John Mayall has still got the blues
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 10, 2011 By Steve Newton While prepping for my interview with British blues-rock legend John Mayall I browsed my trusty CD collection and came up with the remastered version of his 1971 album, Back to the Roots. This turned out to be a fine choice from a guitar freak’s standpoint as it … Continue reading Clean-living music-biz veteran John Mayall has still got the blues
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
Texas blues great and Stevie Ray Vaughan collaborator Doyle Bramhall dies
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 13, 2011 I just learned via a tweet from guitar great Joe Bonamassa that one of the true heroes of the Texas blues scene, Doyle Bramhall, passed away today at his home in Alpine, Texas. Initial reports say that Bramhall--the father of Eric Clapton guitarist Doyle Bramhall II--died as a result of … Continue reading Texas blues great and Stevie Ray Vaughan collaborator Doyle Bramhall dies