ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 15, 1994 By Steve Newton I always felt that Buddy Guy’s two Grammy award–winning ’90s releases—Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues and Feels Like Rain—were fine examples of the legendary guitarist’s crossover blues, but when I wanted to hear him at his raw, sweaty, string-strangling best I found myself going … Continue reading Album review: Buddy Guy, Slippin’ In (1994)
Tag: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Album review: The Vaughan Brothers, Family Style (1990)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 18, 1990 By Steve Newton If any solace at all can be found in the wake of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s tragic helicopter-crash death, it lies in the fact that, before he passed on, Stevie got to do something he’s always wanted to do—make an album with his older brother Jimmie. The … Continue reading Album review: The Vaughan Brothers, Family Style (1990)
Mason Ruffner was inspired by Jimmy Page to inject fire into his Gypsy Blood
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 31, 1987 By Steve Newton The Fabulous Thunderbirds are from Austin, Texas. Mason Ruffner is from Forth Worth. The Fabulous Thunderbirds hit it big last year with an album produced by Dave Edmunds. Mason Ruffner is hitting it big this year with an album produced by Dave Edmunds. Is there a … Continue reading Mason Ruffner was inspired by Jimmy Page to inject fire into his Gypsy Blood
18-year-old Kenny Wayne Shepherd recalls being seven and watching Stevie Ray Vaughan from Stevie’s amp case
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 28, 1995 By Steve Newton If a longhaired, bearded, beer-bellied guy in a teal Precidia pulls up next to you on a rain-soaked Vancouver street, there’s a good chance it’ll be me. And if the unmistakable strains of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar are escaping the vehicle’s minute confines, you’ll know it’s … Continue reading 18-year-old Kenny Wayne Shepherd recalls being seven and watching Stevie Ray Vaughan from Stevie’s amp case
That time blues legend Otis Rush told me that he was always tryin’
By Steve Newton I've interviewed a lot of legendary blues guitarists over the years. B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan--they don't get much more famous than that. But I've also managed to score time with lesser-known blues artists who--though not as familiar to the average music fan--have been very influential … Continue reading That time blues legend Otis Rush told me that he was always tryin’
David Gogo drinks “anything that’s liquid” and uses the empty glass for a slide in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 19, 1991 By Steve Newton Does 22-year-old David Gogo have what it takes to become Canada’s next blues-rock guitar hero? Can his name be mentioned along with the likes of Jeff Healey, Colin James, and Tony “Wild T” Springer? That question could be on a few minds these days, especially in … Continue reading David Gogo drinks “anything that’s liquid” and uses the empty glass for a slide in Vancouver
Albert King’s “adopted grandson” Little Jimmy King salvages Vancouver gig with Hendrix-style string-chomping
Sometimes greatness takes a while to reveal itself, and that was certainly the case at the Commodore on June 30.
Texas guitar-slinger Chris Duarte talks Hendrix, Santana, Doyle Bramhall, and the Vaughan brothers
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN EXPERIENCE HENDRIX MAGAZINE, WINTER 2000 By Steve Newton When Texas blues-rock guitar-wizard Chris Duarte got married earlier this year, he commissioned his bassist, Jon Jordan, to compose a song for the occasion. Jordan came up with the hauntingly beautiful "Duarte Ezell", a piece that was performed at the wedding ceremony by a string … Continue reading Texas guitar-slinger Chris Duarte talks Hendrix, Santana, Doyle Bramhall, and the Vaughan brothers
Stevie Ray Vaughan six weeks before the crash: “I would hate to get caught playing my last gig not trying”
During the interview I asked Stevie Ray if he ever had difficulty getting inspired for a show, and his response was somewhat prophetic.
Blues-rock guitar great Lonnie Mack, idol of Stevie Ray Vaughan, dies at 74
Alligator Records sent out a press release tonight relaying the sad news that Lonnie Mack has died of natural causes at the age of 74.
That time Stevie Ray Vaughan sang me a couple of lines from one of Jimi Hendrix’s fave tunes
Since 1982 I've been chatting with famous rock stars and collecting the interviews on cheap cassette tapes.
David Bowie’s Glass Spider tour helps Frampton come alive again
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 21, 1987 By Steve Newton Old rockers never die, they just play guitar for David Bowie. At least, that's what Peter Frampton was doing at B.C. Place last Saturday. But Frampton and Bowie actually go back a long way--all the way back to the art school they used to attend in … Continue reading David Bowie’s Glass Spider tour helps Frampton come alive again
Remembering David Bowie in the seventies
By Steve Newton Talk about a shocker. Got up at the usual 7 this morning, realized there was no instant coffee--and no wife awake to make me a latte--so went straight to the cell phone. Saw a tweet about a new concert announcement that needed blogging, so headed over to the computer, clicked on … Continue reading Remembering David Bowie in the seventies