By Steve Newton I first got turned onto Roland Nipp--a Canadian guitarist out of Richmond, B.C.--through his 2000 debut album, Blue Room, a multicoloured mix of jazz, blues, and rock stylings that blew me away with its blend of technical prowess and melodic sense. Now Nipp's got a new album out, In the Cool … Continue reading Roland Nipp proves himself a Satch-style melody master with In the Cool of the Dawn
Tag: guitar hero
That time Mick Fleetwood told me that Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page
By Steve Newton Legendary drummer Mick Fleetwood called me up a couple days ago to plug his upcoming gig at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, and I made sure to ask him all about his long-ago bandmate Peter Green. Fleetwood's current outfit, the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, is performing several Green-penned songs from the early … Continue reading That time Mick Fleetwood told me that Peter Green shunned the guitar-hero status of Clapton, Beck, and Page
Fretmaster Don Ross exposes the Newt to the wonders of acoustic-guitar wizardry
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 29, 2001 By Steve Newton Guitar gods—I can’t get enough of ’em. There’ve always been lots of slots in my CD stacks reserved for fret masters who balance boggling technique with high degrees of feel. Because I’m mostly a rock and blues fan, the vast majority of guitarists … Continue reading Fretmaster Don Ross exposes the Newt to the wonders of acoustic-guitar wizardry
Guitar legend Rick Derringer has soloed for everyone from Alice Cooper to Air Supply
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 22, 1999 By Steve Newton When most people hear the name Rick Derringer, they probably think of his ’70s hit “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo”, which typified the randy guitar-boogie of the free-love era. Others may remember him for “Hang On Sloopy”, the 1965 sing-along number Derringer did with his first … Continue reading Guitar legend Rick Derringer has soloed for everyone from Alice Cooper to Air Supply
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
Guitar hero Tony MacAlpine praises the phrasing of George Lynch
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 6, 1990 By Steve Newton It seems like every time you turn around, there’s a new hard-rock guitar wizard riffing out in your face. “Shredders” these guys are called—young hot-shots who’ve locked themselves in their rooms, practised 10 hours a day, and come out with the technical skills … Continue reading Guitar hero Tony MacAlpine praises the phrasing of George Lynch
Crest of a Wave shows off the best of shockingly underrated Rory Gallagher
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, OCT. 2, 2009 By Steve Newton I’m a sucker for guitar heroes. Check out my CD stash and you’ll find the biggest sections are reserved for Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, and Joe Satriani. But in recent years my main guitar-god … Continue reading Crest of a Wave shows off the best of shockingly underrated Rory Gallagher
Mike Bloomfield’s fearless fretwork shines on new box set
By Steve Newton When you're talking about amazing guitarists who've passed away before achieving the widespread acclaim they deserve, Mike Bloomfield's right up there. But a four-disc boxed set released today on Sony's Legacy Recordings imprint should help get the word out on the mindblowing blues player. Here's the promotional bumph: Produced and curated by Al Kooper (who … Continue reading Mike Bloomfield’s fearless fretwork shines on new box set
Smokin’ hot guitarist Luther Dickinson shows off his signature Gibson
Earlier today I had a nice chat with gifted guitar dude Luther Dickinson, who brings his band, the North Mississippi Allstars, to Vancouver's Rio Theatre next Friday (January 24). Man am I psyched about seeing that show. The Allstars were awesome when they opened for Robert Plant's Band of Joy back in 2011. And the trio's new album World … Continue reading Smokin’ hot guitarist Luther Dickinson shows off his signature Gibson