ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 5, 2002 By Steve Newton To get a good idea of how admired Delbert McClinton is by today’s top country and roots artists, one need only check out the centre spread in the booklet for his new CD, Room to Breathe. It’s a black-and-white shot of McClinton in the studio, surrounded … Continue reading Delbert McClinton once taught John Lennon a few harmonica tricks
Tag: Steve Earle
The immortal words of Country Dick Montana ring true at Steve Earle’s Vancouver show
Some types of music are just made for drinkin’ to, and Steve Earle’s brand of down-home roots rock is one of them.
25-year-old Gordon Downie talks “38 Years Old” on the Tragically Hip’s Up to Here tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 1989 By Steve Newton What's the most important element in a new band as far as making it in rock goes? Some might say financial backing, although when you look at groups like Kiss or the Sex Pistols it's pretty clear that image and/or hype are as effective as big … Continue reading 25-year-old Gordon Downie talks “38 Years Old” on the Tragically Hip’s Up to Here tour
Kelly Joe Phelps earns raves from the Edge, Steve Earle, and Bill Frisell
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 16, 1999 By Steve Newton When singer-songwriter-guitarist Kelly Joe Phelps released his second album, Roll Away the Stone, in 1997, it didn’t take long for the accolades to come rolling in. Q magazine gave it four stars, Blues Revue hailed it as “the acoustic blues album of the year”, and Musician … Continue reading Kelly Joe Phelps earns raves from the Edge, Steve Earle, and Bill Frisell
Steve Earle says his midlife crisis took place when he was about 24
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 5, 1998 By Steve Newton It’s pretty common for a recording artist to tout his latest work as his best ever. I’ve yet to hear one say, “Well, this new record’s okay, but it’s nothing like the one I did five years ago.” Sometimes you can tell whether a musician truly … Continue reading Steve Earle says his midlife crisis took place when he was about 24
Steve Earle on jail, addiction, execution, and other lighthearted topics
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 8, 1996 By Steve Newton So I’m sitting there by my phone, sipping a coldie and patiently waiting for Steve Earle to call. His manager has set up the “phoner” himself and guaranteed me that Earle will call from Dallas after his Lollapalooza gig. I’m raring to find out how his … Continue reading Steve Earle on jail, addiction, execution, and other lighthearted topics
Steve Earle follows the Copperhead Road to Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, April 21, 1989 How many famous touring stars hang around backstage after a show, tirelessly signing autographs and posing for pictures, till nearly all the hangers-on have snagged their mementos and headed off, leaving the object of their affection looking around and thinking, "Where'd everybody go?" Steve Earle is … Continue reading Steve Earle follows the Copperhead Road to Vancouver
Steve Earle on cops, bikers, jail, Ted Bundy, and The Hard Way
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 11, 1990 By Steve Newton Steve Earle’s got a headache—a real doozie. The whirlwind promotional tour that brought him to Vancouver’s Georgian Court Hotel has taken its toll, and while this scribbler waits in the lobby, Earle’s up in his room, downing aspirins to ease the pain brought on by countless … Continue reading Steve Earle on cops, bikers, jail, Ted Bundy, and The Hard Way
The Newt’s top 10 albums of 2013
Gov't Mule Shout! Mule fans got a double dose of their favourite southern-flavoured blues/jam-rock outfit this time around, as all 11 tracks on Shout! were rerecorded on a second disc with a stellar cast of guest singers, including Ben Harper, Dr. John, Steve Winwood, Grace Potter, and West Van resident Elvis Costello. Black Sabbath 13 It was definitely a … Continue reading The Newt’s top 10 albums of 2013
“Would you buy a used car from one of these guys?”
By Steve Newton I've been fortunate enough to interview Steve Earle a number of times over the years. On a pretty well regular basis since his second album, Exit O, actually. During one phoner I made the mistake of pronouncing the title "Exit Oh", and he kindly corrected me. "It's Exit Zero." He's always been very … Continue reading “Would you buy a used car from one of these guys?”
Justin Townes Earle says that his dad’s biographer can kiss his entire family’s ass
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 13, 2009 By Steve Newton When Steve Earle paid tribute to his friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt by naming his first son Justin Townes Earle, he bestowed the child with a moniker that would take some living up to. But by all accounts, the younger Earle has proven himself a … Continue reading Justin Townes Earle says that his dad’s biographer can kiss his entire family’s ass
Robert Plant and the Band of Joy get raw and rootsy in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 18, 2011 By Steve Newton A few months ago, shock-rock king Alice Cooper made headlines in the music press when he complained about Robert Plant refusing to get back with Led Zeppelin. “Jimmy Page wants to do it,” griped Cooper. “John Paul Jones wants to do it. And they got [John] Bonham’s son … Continue reading Robert Plant and the Band of Joy get raw and rootsy in Vancouver
Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 9, 2012 By Steve Newton American songwriting legend Steve Earle played Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre last night, and--as always--took no prisoners as far as his political beliefs are concerned. One of the many highlights of the solo acoustic show was the performance of "Little Emperor", a song off Earle's latest … Continue reading Steve Earle dedicates a song “to Dubya and his fucking horse” in Coquitlam