Jeff Beck’s astonishing Vancouver show crushes the myth that Clapton is God

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 23, 1999 By Steve Newton Apart from an arena show with Rod Stewart in the ’80s, it had been nearly 25 years since fans of Jeff Beck last saw him play here, so the anticipatory vibe that surged through the Queen E around 9 p.m. last Saturday (September 18) was understandable. … Continue reading Jeff Beck’s astonishing Vancouver show crushes the myth that Clapton is God

Gary Moore’s Essential Montreux is a five-disc feast of fret-burning action

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 2, 2009 By Steve Newton Got someone on your Christmas list who’s a huge fan of wailing rock guitar? Then look no further than Eagle Rock's five-disc feast of fret-burning action by Irish guitar hero Gary Moore. So what if it contains no less than four live versions of Otis Rush’s … Continue reading Gary Moore’s Essential Montreux is a five-disc feast of fret-burning action

B.B. King: The nicest bluesman I ever met

By Steve Newton I've interviewed a lot of incredible bluesmen over the years, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Albert Collins, and Roy Buchanan. But far and away the nicest was B.B. King. Famed Vancouver punk-rock photographer Bev Davies snapped this shot of me 'n' B.B. in his hotel room at the Plazazz Showroom in … Continue reading B.B. King: The nicest bluesman I ever met

Chattin’ with Roy Buchanan at the Town Pump

By Steve Newton Not sure exactly when this was taken. Mid-'80s, maybe? I'd interviewed The Master of the Telecaster on the phone and then gone to see him play the Town Pump. Former Georgia Straight accountant/photographer/man-about-town Mila Geran took this shot. I like how that old Town Pump piano shows up behind us. It was … Continue reading Chattin’ with Roy Buchanan at the Town Pump

Legendary bass guitarist Donald “Duck” Dunn passes away after gig in Japan

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 13, 2012 By Steve Newton Sad news for fans of blues, soul, and R&B music. Bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, whose bottom end fuelled such classic tracks as Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" and Otis Redding's "Respect", passed away in his sleep early this morning after a gig at the … Continue reading Legendary bass guitarist Donald “Duck” Dunn passes away after gig in Japan