By Steve Newton Remember how you'd set the needle down on the opening track of a new rock album and the first tune would just blow you the funk away? Me too. "(Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party" (Bloodshot, J. Geils Band, 1973) "All the Way From Memphis" (Mott, Mott the Hoople, 1973) "Already Gone" … Continue reading The 70 greatest opening tracks of the ’70s
Tag: Foghat
Album review: Foghat, Return of the Boogie Men (1995)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 30, 1995 By Steve Newton Foghat were the gods of boogie when I was a teen—at least they were when Status Quo wasn’t hogging the old turntable. Over time, the band’s obtuse, party-hearty approach came to represent all that was lacking in the decade’s rock scene, but … Continue reading Album review: Foghat, Return of the Boogie Men (1995)
When Foghat were the Kneetremblers and Roger Earl played to the cheap seats
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 11, 1986 By Steve Newton Have you ever heard of the Kneetremblers? Didn't think so. How about Foghat? Now that name should ring a bell, because Foghat were one of the top boogie bands of the seventies. They released 14 hard-driving albums, although only one of their songs, … Continue reading When Foghat were the Kneetremblers and Roger Earl played to the cheap seats
Foghat cymbal crashes require no caffeine buzz on Odds’ new Nest
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 13, 1997 By Steve Newton What better place to interview Odds singer-guitarist Craig Northey than at the Roxy Cabaret on Granville? Not only do they have beer there, but it’s also the old haunt of Dawn Patrol, the Odds’ alter ego house band, which played there from 1988 to ’91, delivering … Continue reading Foghat cymbal crashes require no caffeine buzz on Odds’ new Nest
Anti-fragile Bachman Turner puts it into overdrive this spring
Less than two weeks ago, Universal Music Canada announced that it would be releasing a remastered 40th-anniversary edition of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's best-selling album, Not Fragile, on March 18. That was great news for anyone who was a teenager back in '74, when BTO was battling it out with the likes of Thin Lizzy, Foghat, and Blue Oyster Cult for time on … Continue reading Anti-fragile Bachman Turner puts it into overdrive this spring
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1975
Ah, 1975. The year I graduated high school. Talk about dazed and confused. Albums listed alphabetically by title, including three choice tracks from each one to help you remember how wicked they really were. Against the Grain: Rory Gallagher ("Bought and Sold", "Out on the Western Plain", "Lost at Sea") America's Choice: Hot Tuna ("Sleep … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1975
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1972
1972 was a year when I got introduced to a number of bands that would become all-time faves, including Blue Oyster Cult, Mott the Hoople, and Steely Dan. And as far as live albums went, the Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, the J. Geils Band, and Rory Gallagher were well represented. I wouldn't say '72 was … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1972
Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1974
Last year I put together a list of my 30 fave albums from 1973, which was a particularly awesome year since it included the release of what I've always felt was the world's greatest rock album, the Who's Quadrophenia. Now that you've all had a good chance to go out and purchase each and every one … Continue reading Ear of Newt’s Top 30 Rock Albums of 1974
Wizard Conjures Up A Suspiciously ’70s Sound
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, NOV. 4, 2004 By Steve Newton "If Foghat is a dirty word to you, stop reading." That's how Entertainment Weekly kicked off its review of Bad Wizard's 2002 CD, Sophisticated Mouth. Now, it's been a long time since I dusted off my dog-eared vinyl copies of Energized or Rock 'n' Roll Outlaws, but back in high school, … Continue reading Wizard Conjures Up A Suspiciously ’70s Sound