By Steve Newton My morning commute from Delta to Vancouver can really suck—mainly because of a concrete montrosity called the Alex Fraser Bridge—but every now and again I slide in a CD that makes the trip a little less painful. Today I chose Neil Young's Mirror Ball album—that awesome one from '95 that he recorded with the … Continue reading I played Neil Young’s “I’m the Ocean” eight times on my shitty commute today
Tag: Neil Young
Neil Young’s ragged glory undermined by shitty sound in Vancouver
The sound from the stage was great--until the band got up there. By Steve Newton Yesterday I wrote a fun little blog about how nice it would be if Neil Young topped off his show in Vancouver last night with one of my fave tunes of his, "Long May You Run". He didn't do that--opting instead to … Continue reading Neil Young’s ragged glory undermined by shitty sound in Vancouver
The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl rides the rock throne to glory at a hellraising show in Vancouver
all crappy iPhone photos by the Newt ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 12, 2015 By Steve Newton Nobody really expects a millionaire rock star to, after breaking his leg falling off a stage, design a special chair--or "rock throne", if you will--that allows him to get around like royalty on stage. Is it a burning need to … Continue reading The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl rides the rock throne to glory at a hellraising show in Vancouver
Sooner or later it all gets real for Neil Young’s 26-year-old guitarist Lukas Nelson
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 6, 2015 By Steve Newton Willie Nelson celebrated his 82nd birthday on April 29, so when his son Lukas calls for an interview the next day, the first question has to be “So how was the party last night?” “It wasn’t much of a party,” replies the 26-year-old. “We just played … Continue reading Sooner or later it all gets real for Neil Young’s 26-year-old guitarist Lukas Nelson
Neil Young’s new guitarist calls On the Beach and Tonight’s the Night his all-time Shakey faves
By Steve Newton When I interviewed Lukas Nelson last week--in advance of the gig with his band Promise of the Real in Vancouver this Saturday--we talked a lot about Neil Young. And not just 'cause we both love him. Nelson played guitar on Shakey's upcoming album, The Monsanto Years, and POTR may well be Young's next touring … Continue reading Neil Young’s new guitarist calls On the Beach and Tonight’s the Night his all-time Shakey faves
Anders Osborne says that, when it comes to songwriting, “there’s not much to it”
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 27, 2003 By Steve Newton Anders Osborne is not the type of singer-songwriter who’s easily categorized. The Sweden-raised, Louisiana-based bard is described in the liner notes for his 1999 Living Room CD as “a guitar wizard whose multifaceted grooves and soulful vocals evolve the link between second-line funk, … Continue reading Anders Osborne says that, when it comes to songwriting, “there’s not much to it”
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on Ticketmaster, Neil Young, Nickelback, and the new Riot Act
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 29, 2003 By Steve Newton Pearl Jam is one of those hugely influential, multiplatinum rock acts that’s notorious for refusing to talk to the press, often for extended periods of time. So when PJ guitarist Mike McCready calls from the “lovely offices” of Vandenberg Public Relations in Seattle, my first question … Continue reading Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on Ticketmaster, Neil Young, Nickelback, and the new Riot Act
Joe Satriani explains how he overcame pain and suffering to fulfill his new Blue Dream
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JAN. 19, 1990 By Steve Newton Just as almost everyone can recall where they were when news broke of John F. Kennedy's assassination, a lot of rock fans can vividly remember that day in 1970 when the news of Jimi Hendrix's death came down. Joe Satriani was in high school at the … Continue reading Joe Satriani explains how he overcame pain and suffering to fulfill his new Blue Dream
Gene Odom’s Lynyrd Skynyrd book lacks literary grace and gory details
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, NOV. 21, 2002 By Steve Newton On their latest CD, Southern Rock Opera, alt-country reprobates the Drive-By Truckers combine sociology, history, and musicology to deliver a concept album about southern rock, and the band they focus on to get their ideas across is Lynyrd Skynyrd. For the uninitiated, … Continue reading Gene Odom’s Lynyrd Skynyrd book lacks literary grace and gory details
If Clapton is God, then Doyle Bramhall II is surely the son of God
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 2, 2001 By Steve Newton “Clapton is God!” is a phrase that was bandied about early on in Eric Clapton’s fabled career, but there may be a new guitar-hero catchphrase on the horizon. How about “Bramhall is the Son of God!” And who the hell is Bramhall, you ask? Well, … Continue reading If Clapton is God, then Doyle Bramhall II is surely the son of God
Good daughter Sarah Harmer goes solo with You Were Here
Sarah Harmer is a good daughter, and I’m not just saying that because she’s calling from the basement of Chalmers United Church in Guelph.
Mike Campbell’s instro-rock medley steals the show from Tom Petty in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 9, 1999 By Steve Newton I’ve seen Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform in Vancouver four times now. The first time—one of the most memorable concert experiences of my life—was at the Commodore Ballroom in ’78, just after the release of the band’s sophomore album, You’re Gonna Get It. The second … Continue reading Mike Campbell’s instro-rock medley steals the show from Tom Petty in Vancouver
Matthew Sweet wishes his records were as loose as Neil Young’s
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton When Matthew Sweet checks in from his L.A. abode for an afternoon chat, I’ve got a fair supply of questions lined up. I want to uncover the acclaimed pop rocker’s thoughts about his place on the Another Roadside Attraction megatour, which comes to UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium … Continue reading Matthew Sweet wishes his records were as loose as Neil Young’s