ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, DEC. 9, 1998 By Steve Newton The lineup of incredible guitarists on this all-instrumental string-fest says it all: Alvin Lee, Randy California, Eric Johnson, Leslie West, Ronnie Montrose, Steve Howe, Paul Manzanera, Rick Derringer, Pete Haycock, Steve Hunter, Hank Marvin, and Robby Krieger. Each player does one song, and … Continue reading Album review: Various Artists, Guitar Speak (1988)
Tag: Eric Johnson
Joe Satriani compares the musical styles and backgrounds of recent G3 tourmates John Petrucci, Uli Jon Roth, and Phil Collen
By Steve Newton I interviewed Joe Satriani a couple of weeks ago, in advance of his show in Vancouver this Friday (June 1) at the Commodore Ballroom. I've seen Satch a bunch of times--including on various G3 Tours with the likes of Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Vai--so I wanted to ask him about … Continue reading Joe Satriani compares the musical styles and backgrounds of recent G3 tourmates John Petrucci, Uli Jon Roth, and Phil Collen
Album review: Joe Satriani/Eric Johnson/Steve Vai G3—Live in Concert (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 10, 1997 By Steve Newton Talk about a rock-guitar freak’s dream gig! Three American masters of the electric six-string unite for a tour that sees each of them performing a separate set before they combine on a three-song jam-o-rama. Break out the air guitars, kids—and dust up on … Continue reading Album review: Joe Satriani/Eric Johnson/Steve Vai G3—Live in Concert (1997)
Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon finds the groove in that pocket
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 5, 2001 For its debut CD, Been a Long Time, Double Trouble—Stevie Ray Vaughan’s former rhythm section of bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton—assembled some of the most admired blues and rock guitarists around. Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doyle Bramhall II, Gordie Johnson, … Continue reading Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon finds the groove in that pocket
Eric Johnson strives for pure tone, not Fats Waller perfection
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 25, 2001 By Steve Newton Out of the many rock and blues guitarists that I’ve chatted with over the years, the most revered ones have invariably turned out to be the most self-effacing and down-to-earth. Whether it be Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Danny Gatton, or Roy Buchanan, they’ve … Continue reading Eric Johnson strives for pure tone, not Fats Waller perfection
Joe Satriani takes a techno turn on new Engines of Creation
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 18, 2000 By Steve Newton I’ve yet to be bitten by the techno bug. You won’t find any discs by the Chemical Brothers or Crystal Method in my collection, or any stashes of Ecstasy in my dresser drawer. But after listening to the new Joe Satriani CD, Engines of Creation, I’m … Continue reading Joe Satriani takes a techno turn on new Engines of Creation
Robben Ford scoops up Keith Richards’ rhythm section for Tiger Walk
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 13, 1997 By Steve Newton When the time came for California guitar great Robben Ford to record his latest CD, Tiger Walk, he had a pretty good idea which rhythm section he wanted backing him up. He’d heard it on a Keith Richards album. “I’m not really a … Continue reading Robben Ford scoops up Keith Richards’ rhythm section for Tiger Walk
Joe Satriani reveals that he’s invited Clapton, Beck, and Page on G3 tours
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 25, 1997 By Steve Newton A concert by Bay Area guitar wizard Joe Satriani is usually all it takes to transport his followers to instrumental-rock heaven, but come Friday (September 26) at the Plaza of Nations, they’ll be getting way more twang for their buck. That’s when Satriani brings his G3 … Continue reading Joe Satriani reveals that he’s invited Clapton, Beck, and Page on G3 tours
20-year-old Kenny Wayne Shepherd has the guitar world by the balls
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 7, 1997 By Steve Newton Some guys have all the luck—and a fair whack of talent, too. Take Kenny Wayne Shepherd, for instance. He just turned 20, yet he’s one of the biggest names on the blues-rock scene, with a debut CD that has moved more than 750,000 … Continue reading 20-year-old Kenny Wayne Shepherd has the guitar world by the balls
Jack Semple’s Guitar Warz win delivered confidence and a hook
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 29, 1993 By Steve Newton One day about a year ago, I bumped into a guitar-playing acquaintance who was visiting the office to put a free musician’s ad in the paper. He started raving about this “wicked” guitarist he’d seen the night before at Jake O’Grady’s, a guy from Saskatchewan named Jack … Continue reading Jack Semple’s Guitar Warz win delivered confidence and a hook
Robben Ford wanted to be a guitar player when he heard Mike Bloomfield
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 1993 By Steve Newton In 1973 the Doobie Brothers recorded a tune called “Ukiah”, about a place in Northern California with “green trees and timberlands; people workin’ with their hands”. Judging by the lyrics, it was a pretty nice place to be. And for Ukiah-raised guitar great Robben Ford, it … Continue reading Robben Ford wanted to be a guitar player when he heard Mike Bloomfield
Fourth Estate guitar wizard Dave Beegle is nuts about Max Webster
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 6, 1992 By Steve Newton Once in a blue moon, I’ll come across an album by a band that I’d never heard of before and be blown right away. Such was the case when local promoter Brock Armstrong turned me on to Fourth Estate, an instrumental rock band … Continue reading Fourth Estate guitar wizard Dave Beegle is nuts about Max Webster
Stu Hamm says that seeing bass god Jaco Pastorius for the first time changed his life
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 7, 1991 By Steve Newton There are rock heroes, and then there are rock heroes’ rock heroes. For virtuoso bassist Stuart Hamm, it was the cosmic abilities of the late Jaco Pastorius that made the most profound impression on him. He couldn’t sleep for two days after seeing … Continue reading Stu Hamm says that seeing bass god Jaco Pastorius for the first time changed his life