Johnny WINTER - Electric Blues Man 1997

Johnny WINTER - Electric Blues Man 1997
Thunderbolt CDTB 509

Blues

The Texas guitar tradition runs deep. A gutsy school of blues playing, marked by thick tones, aggressive attack and tons of technique, all delivered in a flamboyant, swaggering style that is endemic to the Lone Star State. From T-Bone Walker and Clarence Gatemouth Brown on through Albert Collins and Freddie King, Billy Gibbons and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, the tradition of the Texas guitar slinger has lived on. The one name that ranks at the top of that exclusive list is Johnny Winter, an international ambassador for rocking Texas blues and still going strong!
**
Disc One: Album One  
01. My Baby   1:11
02. Parchman Farm   2:38
03. Night Ride   2:14
04. One Night of Love   2:16
05. Thirty Two Twenty Blues   3:04
06. Reelin' and Rockin'   2:05
07. Tramp   2:58
08. Bad News (1)   1:04
09. Bad News (2)   1:27
10. Bad News (3)   2:50
11. Suicide Won't Satisfy   2:25
12. Ice Cube   2:06
13. Easy Loving Girl   2:45
14. We Go Back Quite a Ways   3:03
15. Hello My Lover   2:17
16. Hook You   3:17
17. You'll Be the Death of Me   2:36

Disc Two: Album Two  
01. Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone   2:17
02. Sloppy Drunk Blues   2:16
03. Goin' Down Slow   5:51
04. Low Down Gal of Mine   3:08
05. Take My Choice   4:05
06. Gangster of Love   2:43
07. Eternally   2:32
08. Blue Suede Shoes   2:06
09. Ballad of Bertha Glutz   2:25
10. Living in the Blues   2:27
11. Raindrops in My Heart   2:24
12. Black Cat Bone   4:59
13. Talk to Your Daughter   4:40
**

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Johnny WINTER - I´m the Bluesman 2004

Johnny WINTER - I´m the Bluesman 2004

Blues

Texas guitar-slinger Johnny Winter bares some of his deepest roots on his first album of new recordings since 1998. In a rare turn on acoustic slide six-string, he performs fellow Lone Star State legend Hop Wilson's "That Wouldn't Satisfy" with the sweet, lovely simplicity of a street corner singer. Then Winter plugs in for Lazy Lester's stomping primal rocker "Sugar Coated Love." But after years of health issues, Winter, who's 60, has lost the roaring vocal authority of his earlier albums and no longer takes dizzying solos at jet speed. Instead, he makes all the notes of a tune like "Lone Wolf" count, whether he's crafting a slide melody or literally howling. "The Monkey Song," a playfully sleazy double-entendre number, proves his sense of humor is intact. And harmonica ace James Montgomery, who recently joined Winter's band, provides perfect accompaniment to Winter's vocal and guitar lines. Ex-Stevie Ray Vaughan keyboardist Reese Wynans also contributes to this overdue addition to Winter's dynamic blues-rock legacy.
By Ted Drozdowski. AMG.
**
On guitar-slinger Johnny Winter's 2004 outing, I'M A BLUESMAN, his spicy style of playing keeps with a legacy dating back to the late 1960s, when he was playing on the club circuit of tiny Beaumont, Texas. Tapping Roy Buchanan/Albert Collins producer Dick Shurman to man the console, Winter wisely brings his touring band into the studio with him.

Although the albino axe-wielder's guitar tone sounds oddly compressed, his still-impressive playing does much to dispel any distractions. Such is the case when the sixtysomething Texan plays the spurned-lover card, be it on the organ-soaked howler "Cheatin' Blues" or the subtler, but no less suspicious, "I Smell Smoke." Despite nearly being eligible for Social Security, the rail-thin Winter still opens it up, as evidenced by the howling and crackling slide guitar adorning "Lone Wolf" and the equally tempestuous stomper "Sweet Little Baby." Winter also tips his Stetson to Lazy Lester and Hop Wilson with the former's "Sugar Coated Love," served up as a snappy, mid-tempo shuffle, and the latter's "That Wouldn't Satisfy," cast as a mournful, acoustic steel-guitar lament.
**
Johnny Winter- Guitars, Vocals
Paul Nelson- Guitar
Tom MacDonald, Scott Spray, Brad Hallen- Electric Bass
James Montgomery- Harmonica
Reese Wynams- Keyboards
Tom Hambridge- Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Wayne June- Drums
**
01. I'm A Bluesman 4:12
02. Cheatin Blues 3:21
03. I Smell Smoke 3.57
04. Lone Wolf 3:25
05. So Much Love 3:21
06. The Monkey Song 6:14
07. Shake Down 3:59
08. Sweet Little Baby 2:49
09. Pack Your Bags 4:02
10. Last Night 3:09
11. That Wouldn't Satisfy 4:09
12. Sugar Coated Love 3:58
13. Let's Start All Over Again 4:23
**

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Johnny WINTER - Saints and Sinners 1974

Johnny WINTER - Saints and Sinners 1974

Blues

Johnny Winter's sixth Columbia album was also his second since his comeback from drug addiction. Its predecessor, Still Alive and Well, had been his highest charting effort. Saints & Sinners was just as energetically played, but its mixture of material, including '50s rock & roll oldies like Chuck Berry's "Thirty Days," Larry Williams' "Bony Moronie," and Leiber & Stoller's "Riot in Cell Block #9," recent covers like the Rolling Stones' "Stray Cat Blues," and a couple of originals, was more eclectic than inspired. (Van Morrison completists should note that the album also contains Winter's cover of Morrison's "Feedback on Highway 101," a typical bluesy groove song that Morrison recorded for his 1973 Hard Nose the Highway album but dropped. Winter's is the only released recording of the song.) Abetted by the members of the old Johnny Winter Band -- Rick Derringer, Randy Jo Hobbs, and Richard Hughes -- plus his brother Edgar Winter and Dan Hartman, Winter produced forceful hard rock focused on his searing lead guitar runs and rough-edged voice. It was the less-impressive choice of material that kept this collection from matching its predecessor. Originally released in February, 1974, Saints & Sinners was reissued in February, 1996 with the previously unreleased song "Dirty," a Winter original, added. The slide guitar-and-flute track is not consistent with the rest of the album, but it is interesting to hear. Wonder who played the flute?
By William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide.
**
Finally we got Johnny's '74 Soul-Rocker Saints & Sinners on CD and for all you Johnny lovers out there there is a special
surprise! An unreleased bonus cut "Dirty" from the albums sessions is included! One thing I noticed immediately was how
crisp & clear this Lp's master tapes transfered to CD. Man! Listening to this CD for a moment you'd think you got the guitar
slinger right there in your room. All the original art has been faithfully restored and just wait till you hear "Thirty Days", the
Soul-Rocker "Blinded By Love" and the super Funky "Feedback On Highway 101"... your socks will be knocked off!
By  Jay Siekierski.
**
Barbara Massey- Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Alan Rubin- Trumpet
John Smith- Saxophone
Jon Smith- Saxophone
Lew DelGatto- Sax (Tenor)
Bobby Caldwell- Percussion, Drums
Sing-Sing Singers- Vocals (Background), Choir, Chorus
Tasha Thomas- Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Randy Brecker- Trumpet
Louis del Gatto- Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)
Edgar Winter- Organ, Sax (Alto), Arp Strings, Tack Piano, Clavinet, Vocals (Background), Vocals, Saxophone, Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer
Lani Groves- Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Jo Jo Gunne- Percussion, Handclapping
Carl Hall- Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Randy Jo Hobbs- Bass
Richard Hughes- Drums
Rick Derringer- Synthesizer, Arp Strings, Rhymes, Producer, Guitar (Rhythm), Bass, Guitar
Dan Hartman Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Drums Kansas Percussion, Handclapping
Johnny Winter- Guitar, Vocals, Main Performer, Harmonica
**
01. Stone County 3:32
02. Blinded by Love 4:28
03. Thirty Days 3:00
04. Stray Cat Blues 4:15
05. Bad Luck Situation 2:49
06. Rollin' Cross the Country 4:32
07. Riot in Cell Block #9 3:09
08. Hurtin' So Bad 4:38
09. Bony Moronie 2:37
10. Feedback on Highway 101 4:24
11. Dirty 4:00
**
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Johnny WINTER - John Dawson Winter III 1974

Johnny WINTER - John Dawson Winter III 1974

Blues

Johnny Winter, his brother Edgar and Rick Derringer form an American rock triumvirate that knows little competition. John Dawson Winter III further refines the oldest's progression from an overanxious white bluesman with a restrained voice into a tasteful and raunch rocker.
Winter the guitarist is a constant powerhouse who leaves few spaces in his frequent solos. Delivering cluster after cluster of rapidly picked notes or soaring chords, he has developed a discernible, if not virtuoso, style to replace the awkward pastiches of Chuck Berry and B.B. King that flawed his early work. Interestingly, Winter opts for less use of distortion than do most guitarists of this ilk.
He composes smartly. Knowing that even the simplest change can revitalize an otherwise staid 12-bar blues, Winter inserts a time-tested ascending chord sequence into the ninth and tenth bars of "Pick Up on My Mojo." Yet he can also succeed with a haunting, gently sung "Stranger," a pop piece reminiscent of Edgar.
But it's never a one-man show. Randy Jo Hobbs's bass combines treble tones with the mandatory bottom sound, and muscular drum rolls from Richard Hughes propel the meatier tracks which dominate the album. Wisely, Winter continues to borrow from other writers: Derringer, John Lennon and Allen Toussaint are all well represented. Shelly Yackus's crisp production shows the proper measure of control.
John Dawson Winter III is not without flaws -- his vocal on "Sweet Papa John," a blues patterned after the earliest Muddy Waters sides, returns to the thin huskiness he has mostly mastered, and the horns on two cuts would have been best omitted. Still, Winter displays an unmistakable maturity that few rock artists achieve.
By Charley Waters, Rolling Stone, 1/30/75.
**
01.Rock & roll people
    Writer: John Lennon (Lennon Music/ATV Music Corp./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter Guitars: Johnny Winter Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs Drums: Richard Hughes
    Percussion: Richard Hughes and Randy Jo Hobbs
    Handclaps: The Group
02.Golden olden day's of rock and roll
    Writer: Vic Thomas (Pocketful of Tunes, Inc. & Papa Toad Music, Inc./BMI/1973)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitar: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Percussion: Randy Jo Hobbs and Richard Hughes
    Handclaps: The rlre p Piano: Kenny Ascher
    Backing Vocals: Johnny Winter, Tasha Thomas,
    Carl Hall, Monica Burruss
    Horn Arrangement: Edgar Winter
    Trumpet: RBaritone Sax: Lew Del Gatto
03.Self-destructive blues
    Writer: Johnny Winter (Winter Blues Music, Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter Guitar: Johnny Winter Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs Drums: Richard Hughes
04.Raised on rock
    Writer: Mark James (Screen Gems-Columbia Music, Inc. & Sweet Glory Music, Inc./BMI/1973)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Percussion: Richard Hughes and Randy Jo Hobbs
    Harpsichord: Edgar Winter
    Lap Steel: Paul Prestopino
    Backing Vocals: Jackdaw and Dennis Ferrante
05.Stranger
    Writer: Johnny Winter (Winter Blues Music, Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Piano and Solina Strings: Edgar Winter
06.Mind over matter
    Writer: Allen Toussaint (Marsaint & Warner-Tamberlane Music, Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Percussion: Randy Jo Hobbs and Richard Hughes
    Backing Vocals: Johnny Winter
07.Roll with me
    Writer: Rick Derringer (Derringer Music, Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Percussion: Rick Derringer and Paul Prestopino
    Backing Vocals: Johnny Winter and Rick Derringer
08.Love song to me
    Writer: Johnny Winter (Winter Blues Music, lnc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Banjo and Dobro: Paul Prestopino
    Pedal Steel: Rick Derringer
    Backing Vocals: Johnny Winter
    Buried Highpart: Dennis Ferrante
09.Pick up on my mojo
    Writer: Johnny Winter (Winter Blues Music, Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Lead and Rhythm Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Additional Guitar and Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Percussion: Richard Hughes and Randy Jo Hobbs
    Handclaps: The Group
10.Lay down your sorrows
    Writers: Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann (Screen Gems-Columbia Music, Inc. & Summerhill Songs,   Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitar: Johnny Winter
    Bass: Randy Jo Hobbs
    Drums: Richard Hughes
    Piano, Solina Strings, and
    Organ: Edgar Winter
    Backing Vocals: Tasha Thomas, Carl Hall, Monica Burruss
    Horn Arrangement: Edgar Winter Trumpet: Randy Brecker Trumpet: Lou Soloff Tenor
   Sax: Mike Brecker    Trombone: Dave Taylor Baritone Sax: Lew  Del Gatto
11.Sweet papa John
    Writer: Johnny Winter (Winter Blues Music, Inc./BMI/1974)
    Lead Vocal: Johnny Winter
    Guitars: Johnny Winter
    Bass Drum: Richard Hughes
**
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Johnny WINTER & Edgar WINTER - Rock 'N' Roll - 1989

Johnny WINTER & Edgar WINTER - Rock 'N' Roll - 1989

Blues

Let's put the debate regarding which is the better of the two sides (rocker/bluesman) of Johnny Winter's career aside for a moment. After all, we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy both sides of Johnny's career!
Johnny Winter And Live was the first Winter record I'd ever heard, back in 1972! And it is still hotter than a firecraker on a Phoenix 4th of July!
Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Randy Hobbs, and Bobby Caldwell are absolutely scorchin' hot on this live release recorded at Pirate's World and The Fillmore East circa 1971. Listen: I've been buying and listening to records since 1967 and nothing, and I mean NOTHING is as consistently firey hot as this set. I saw Johnny on his Still Alive and Well tour but I really wish I'd seen this line up. If I had a time machine, I would definitely be dialing in the dates of these performances.
I thought about this "record" for a while before writing this review because I wanted to try and describe the level of excitement and energy found here. The best metaphor I can come up with is this release is like an amusement park full of roller coasters. Each track is an action packed, thrill ride - no foolin'. All the musicians are great, Caldwell and Hobbs make a relentless, pounding rhythm section throughout while Johnny burns up the fretboard and Derringer does an admirable job of keeping up. It's Johnny, like Pecos Bill, ridin' atop a tornado of a band. In my opinion, this is one of 3 or 4 truly exciting live recordings from this era.
The session opens up with Bobby Caldwell (later the drummer for Captain Beyond) pounding away an introduction to Good Morning Little School Girl with Winter off mic shouting with his trademark growl - yeaaaaaaah!
Next we get a searing rendition of BB King's It's My Own Fault. Winter's vocal on the ending is literally the tail wagging the dog!
Next up, a positively blistering version of Jumpin' Jack Flash that just has to be heard - this is worth the price of admission. When Winter sings "I was schooled with a strap right across my back" you KNOW he means it far more than that beloved, rubber-lipped graduate of the London School of Economics (yes, I am a Stones fan too). After 30+ years this is STILL the best version of this tune I have ever heard recorded live. It has all the fury of a "cross-fire hurricane"!
Next up, the rock-n-roll medley (Great Balls of Fire/Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On) that features Rick Derringer in a demonstration/audience performance of how to "Shake It" You can tell that the entire audience is on their feet jumpin' and shakin' around like a Holy Spirit charged congregation of Pentacostal believers.
Mean Town Blues, from a guitar player perspective is the highlite of this release. Simply amazing playing from Mr Winter. Can't elaborate. It's Smokin'!
The set wraps up with Johnny growling/shouting "Rock-n-roll" and blazing into Johnny B. Goode - hands down the greatest version of this song anywhere.
I think what makes this set so incredible compared to other blazing guitar performances I've heard is the level of sincerity and authenticity. These guys aren't trying to prove anything, they don't need to! They are having a whale of a time showing off their craft and pumping the audience up with their seemingly endless energy.
**
01. Frankenstein   4.45
02. Riot In Cell Block #9   3.09
03. Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo   3.30
04. Free Ride   3.07
05. Jumpin' Jack Flash   2.57
06. Highway 61 Revisited   5.08
07. Keep Playin' That Rock & Roll   3.46
08. Still Alive And Well   3.42
09. Tobacco Road   4.05
**
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Johnny WINTER & Edgar WINTER - Together 1976

Johnny WINTER & Edgar WINTER - Together 1976   

Blues
 
This review is for the vinyl LP, so the song selection may be slightly different (modern CD's often add a song or two). However, this is a brilliant, highly enjoyable blues/rock album recorded live with both Johnny and Edgar Winter. The tracks are mostly old blues/rock standards and with the Winters and their talented band at the helm, the tunes sizzle like bacon. If you like blues/rock, you will love this energetic live album.
Five stars.
By R. Morris.
**
This live recording by Johnny and Edgar Winter has always been one of my favorites. I used to have the cassette version and played it to death! (wore it out) I've been looking for a cd version to replace my cassette version and finally found it! This is a great recording with both performers at their peak with great musicians backing them like Rick Derringer,Dan Hartman and the late Randy Jo Hobs on Bass (RIP). It also features the talents of Floyd Radford and Richard Hughes. This recording has both Winter Brothers diving into a treasure chest of their favorite oldies comming up with firey versions of Harlem Shuffle, Soul Man and a rock and roll medley of Slippin' and Slidin', Jailhouse Rock, Tutti Frutti, Sick and Tired, I'm Ready, Reelin' and Rockin',Blue Suede Shoes,Jenny Takes A Ride and last but not least Good Golly Miss Molly. This is a very energetic and exciting performance recorded at The Swing Auditorium, San Diego California by Wally Heider. A good recording not to be missed.....
By Quicksilver Lightning "Bolt".
**
Johnny Winter- Guitar, Vocals
Edgar Winter- Saxophone
Rick Derringer- Guitar
Floyd Radford- Guitar
Randy Jo Hobbs- Bass
Dan Hartman- Piano
Richard Hughes- Drums
Chuck Ruff- Drums
**
01. Harlem Shuffle   3.45
02. Soul Man   3.07
03. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'   5.14
04. Rock & Roll Medley: Slippin' and Slidin'/Jailhouse Rock/Tutti Frutti   6.25
05. Let the Good Times Roll   3.31
06. Mercy, Mercy   4.05
07. Baby, What'Cha Want Me To Do   11.09
**
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