ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JUNE 17, 1997 By Steve Newton Anyone who’s been listening to mainstream rock radio lately has likely heard “The Freshmen”, a pretty little ballad by the Verve Pipe that seems based on the singer’s poignant recollections of indelible collegiate relationships. But as “The Freshmen” creator Brian Vander Ark explains … Continue reading Brian Vander Ark says everyone in the Verve Pipe loves Talking Heads
Tag: Jerry Harrison
Album review: Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Beautiful World (1997)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 3, 1997 By Steve Newton Its previous two albums—1993’s Sister Sweetly and 1995’s Strategem—were sterling examples of well played and wonderfully sung roots-pop, but on Beautiful World, Colorado’s Big Head Todd & the Monsters venture winningly into seriously funky and soulful territory. The title track—featuring former Parliament-Funkadelic … Continue reading Album review: Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Beautiful World (1997)
Kenny Wayne Shepherd never played with Stevie Ray, but still has hope for Clapton
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 7, 2000 By Steve Newton When Kenny Wayne Shepherd calls the Straight on a crapping-out cellphone from the wasteland of Duluth, Minnesota, it feels like a mixed blessing. On one hand, I’m happy to chat with anyone who’s helping to keep the Strat-ified blues-raunch spirit of Stevie Ray … Continue reading Kenny Wayne Shepherd never played with Stevie Ray, but still has hope for Clapton
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
John Lee Hooker helps Big Head Todd make a Beautiful World
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 8, 1997 By Steve Newton Big Head Todd & the Monsters’ Beautiful World is one of my most-played CDs these days; I can’t get enough of the Denver trio’s stimulating brand of funky, soulful roots-rock. Strangely enough, some of the disc’s most memorable moments occur in songs that … Continue reading John Lee Hooker helps Big Head Todd make a Beautiful World