By Steve Newton When it comes to unheralded guitar geniuses, Danny Gatton is right up there. He's never achieved the fame of a Clapton, Beck, or Page, but in-the-know guitar freaks realize that he's worthy of comparison, talent-wise. I only got to interview Gatton once, back in April of 1993, before he came to Vancouver … Continue reading That time I called up Danny Gatton while he was sorting through his Roy Buchanan tapes
Tag: Music West
That time Danny Gatton told me that he thought Lenny Breau was the biggest “Humbler” of all time
By Steve Newton Back in April of 1993 I called Danny Gatton up at his home in Washington, D.C., to interview him in advance of a show in Vancouver as part of Music West. When he picked up the phone he'd been busy cleaning out his garage, and told me that he'd come across a huge … Continue reading That time Danny Gatton told me that he thought Lenny Breau was the biggest “Humbler” of all time
Vancouver blues-rocker James Grant is doing what he loves to do
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 2, 1998 When veteran Vancouver guitar-slinger James Grant drops by the Georgia Straight office for a chat, he’s got a local gig set up that isn’t your typical Yale or Fairview blues happening. That night, Grant and his band are booked to play a private gig at Panama … Continue reading Vancouver blues-rocker James Grant is doing what he loves to do
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
Age of Electric blasts pure pop on Make a Pest a Pet
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 8, 1997 By Steve Newton Age of Electric is a unique band, in more ways than one. First off, it’s comprised of two sets of brothers: you’ve got your Kernses (singer Todd and bassist John) and your Dahles (guitarist Ryan and drummer Kurt). The only other band with … Continue reading Age of Electric blasts pure pop on Make a Pest a Pet
Toronto’s Rusty made Vancouver home for its Sophomoric CD
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, APRIL 24, 1997 I’m usually a pretty patient guy, but sitting at a table in the Web Café, waiting for Rusty singer Ken MacNeil to show up, I’m losing it. He’s only 10 minutes late for our scheduled 6 p.m. interview, but it seems like an hour, because every … Continue reading Toronto’s Rusty made Vancouver home for its Sophomoric CD
Bad Religion frontman more impressed by D.O.A. than the Sex Pistols
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MAY 2, 1996 By Steve Newton Who would have guessed that the same punk-rock music that was big in the late ’70s would be all the rage in the middle of the ’90s? Just five years ago, the announcement of a Sex Pistols reunion tour would have been scoffed … Continue reading Bad Religion frontman more impressed by D.O.A. than the Sex Pistols
Aussie guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel on playing with Chet Atkins and looking after Lenny Breau
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 5, 1994 By Steve Newton When I was in my early 20s, I made what for me was a major investment. I bought a near-new, shiny black Fender Stratocaster. The fact that I couldn't even play guitar at the time didn't matter; I figured anything that cool-looking had to sound good, … Continue reading Aussie guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel on playing with Chet Atkins and looking after Lenny Breau
Guitar god Danny Gatton says Lenny Breau is the biggest humbler of all time
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 22, 1993 By Steve Newton Guitar World magazine called him “the world’s greatest unknown guitarist”. Guitar Player ran his photo on the cover with his face behind a mask, while inside they asked: “What famous guitarist could outplay him?” So how come virtuoso guitarman Danny Gatton is so underexposed? “Well, there’s … Continue reading Guitar god Danny Gatton says Lenny Breau is the biggest humbler of all time