By Steve Newton Looking back on my over 40 years as a music writer, there's one thing that I did pretty consistently that I'm really, really happy about. I kept almost all of the cassette tapes I used to record my interviews. I mean, I never thought, while I was recording my phone conversation with … Continue reading The Newt is psyched that bits of his old Gord Downie interviews will be heard in the Tragically Hip’s Amazon Prime docuseries
Tag: Gord Downie
Phantom Power 25th anniversary box set features previously unreleased Hip tunes and alternate tracks
By Steve Newton I always thought Phantom Power was one of the Tragically Hip's best albums. Not quite as amazing as Fully Completely or Day for Night or Up to Here or Road Apples, but pretty damn close, overall. In my original 1998 review of the album, I pointed out that "Vapour Trails" was the standout … Continue reading Phantom Power 25th anniversary box set features previously unreleased Hip tunes and alternate tracks
Todd Kerns promises the most classic of Canadian classic-rock at Toque’s Juno Fest shindig
By Steve Newton Whenever Todd Kerns hits Vancouver--whether it's playing bass with Slash or fronting the Age of Electric--I try to get out and cheer him on. Dude's hugely talented and nice as hell. I stand by my claim that he's "the most rockin' Canadian bass player of the 21st century." Kerns won't be handling … Continue reading Todd Kerns promises the most classic of Canadian classic-rock at Toque’s Juno Fest shindig
Exclusive excerpt from my new book, Gord Downie, about the late frontman of the Tragically Hip
By Steve Newton The following is the Preface from my new coffeetable book, Gord Downie, published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. of New York City and currently available at Indigo, Coles, and Chapters outlets across Canada. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The first time I spoke to Gord Downie he was a longhaired 25-year-old rocker touring behind his band's first full-length … Continue reading Exclusive excerpt from my new book, Gord Downie, about the late frontman of the Tragically Hip
Album review: The Tragically Hip, Live Between Us (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 5, 1997 By Steve Newton It beats the hell outta me why the most Canadian rock band of all time had to go and record its historic live album in the all-powerful U.S. of A. Even if Detroit is Rock City, it doesn’t make sense for these proud … Continue reading Album review: The Tragically Hip, Live Between Us (1997)
Album review: The Tragically Hip, Trouble at the Henhouse (1996)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 9, 1996 By Steve Newton With this, its sixth album, the Tragically Hip appears to be taking the moody musical route favoured when it chose “Grace, Too” as the leadoff single from its previous CD, Day for Night. That tune revealed a more subtle, shadowy side to … Continue reading Album review: The Tragically Hip, Trouble at the Henhouse (1996)
“Nautical Disaster” is the greatest Tragically Hip song ever, says Newt
By Steve Newton I love a lot of Tragically Hip songs, but if you asked me which one was my all-time favourite, I'd have to say "Nautical Disaster", off the 1994 Day for Night album. I adore every second of that tune, like the way it calmly opens up before Rob Baker and Paul Langlois' guitars fabulously … Continue reading “Nautical Disaster” is the greatest Tragically Hip song ever, says Newt
Album review: The Tragically Hip, Day for Night (1994)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 29, 1994 Having gotten kinda used to the Hip starting off its CDs with hard-rocking tunes like “Blow at High Dough” and “Little Bones”, I was somewhat taken aback by Day for Night’s sombre leadoff track, “Grace, Too”. I was happy to hear that the pride of Kingston, … Continue reading Album review: The Tragically Hip, Day for Night (1994)
That time the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie told me that he just loves meeting other musicians–period
By Steve Newton As most Canadian rock fans know, the Tragically Hip ended its final major tour in August of 2016 with a gig in its Kingston hometown that was broadcast (and celebrated) nationwide. Touring has always been at the heart of what the Hip is all about. Sure, making amazing records is a biggie … Continue reading That time the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie told me that he just loves meeting other musicians–period
That time Gord Downie told me that the Tragically Hip made Up To Here to fit its own standards
By Steve Newton Back in September of 1989 I did my first interview with the Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie. At the time Downie was just 25, and the band was basking in the recent release of its incredible Up To Here album. At one point in the conversaiton I sorta played the devils' advocate … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that the Tragically Hip made Up To Here to fit its own standards
That time Gord Downie told me about the new Hip tunes “38 Years Old” and “New Orleans is Sinking”
By Steve Newton You've already heard the bad news, that Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer. You may have also heard the good news, that he and his band are dealing with the diagnosis the only way they know how: by rocking it out on a cross-Canada tour that kicks off in … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me about the new Hip tunes “38 Years Old” and “New Orleans is Sinking”
The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie finds humour in “The Inevitability of Death”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, FEB. 16, 1995 By Steve Newton The Tragically Hip don’t always do things the way other rock groups do, and maybe that’s why folks love ’em so much. For starters, the band got its road manager, of all people, to write its official MCA Records bio. Instead of the … Continue reading The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie finds humour in “The Inevitability of Death”