![]() The original composition, enriched by a superb piano accompaniment by Dr. Then, the slow blues “Life Is Hard” comes into play. The flaming, rapid-fire slide attack of “Illustrated Man” brilliantly set things in motion with the dancing rocker “Barefootin” closely following. Released in 1991, Let Me In has Johnny Winter expanding his strong catalog by returning to a gutsier approach after experimenting with a silkier, more accessible blues sound on The Winter of ’88. Further proving his credentials, Winter lays down a merciless barrage of notes on B.B. And there’s also Sonny Boy Williamson’s pre-war standard “Help Me” receiving the full electric blues treatment while the masterfully executed original “Mean Town Blues” soars brilliantly. The record kicks off with a vibrant version of Muddy Waters’ “Rollin’ And Tumblin” before Winter’s very own “Bad Luck and Trouble” comes about and showcases his early strong acoustic skills and songwriting capabilities. While not as ground-breaking as suggested by its title, the record is still a fresh and inspired affair and features some of Winter’s most audacious and biting leads. Released in 1969, The Progressive Blues Experiment is Johnny Winter’s debut album. However, the album’s best moments are found on the slow-burning workouts of the exceptional slide-heavy version of “Tin Pan Alley” and the magnificent title track, both platforms for some of Winter’s finest leads. The blazing uptempo number “Mojo Boogie” kicks off the record with its piercing slide charge with the fiery mid-pace stomp of “Love Life And Money” also being an early highlight. It showcases Winter in fine form, remaining an uncompromising blues traditionalist even in the face of an unfavorable decade for the genre. Released in 1986, Third Degreeis the final installment in Johnny Winter’s trilogy of mid-80s blues albums. Highlights include the harmonica-heavy mid-pace stomper “Tired of Tryin”, the stirring slow blues “It Was Rainin”, the strong acoustic number “Bladie Mae” and the infectious “Walkin’ Through The Park”, a joyous duet with Waters. Backed by the same band present on Hard Again (including Muddy Waters himself), Winter focuses on a selection of vigorous original numbers and delivers incisive, inspired performances throughout the album. Inspired by having produced Muddy Waters’ Grammy-winning Hard Again, Winter returned to a blues-focused approach in 1977 with the aptly titled Nothin’ But The Blues. ![]() To honor such a monumental man and legacy, here are Blues Rock Review’s top 10 Johnny Winter albums. Unfortunately, Winter passed away in Zürich, Switzerland, on July 16, 2014, just two days after his final live performance. Often backed by high-caliber musicians such as Tommy Shannon, Rick Derringer, and later Paul Nelson, in addition to the aforementioned Edgar Winter, he crafted an immense and immortal body of work. Winter ultimately leaned toward the blues for the later part of his career.Īlthough not a mainstream artist, Winter had a prolific and successful career. Set to become the next big superstar, Winter alternated between records more focused on either blues or rock for much of the next decade. Raised on a diet of early blues and rock and roll, Winter started his musical career in the mid-60s, along with his brother Edgar, and after a resounding initial impact, signed a contract with Columbia in 1969 for an astronomical advance fee. Johnny Winter was born in Beaumont, Texas, on February 23, 1944. Beyond pure guitar proficiency, Winter was also a unique vocalist and a strong songwriter who built a musical legacy that only very few can match, either adding his iconic stamp to established numbers or penning his own fiery originals. Blues rock legend Johnny Winter is one of the greatest guitarists the genre has ever produced, with his stellar playing style, powered by his outstanding vibrato and obscenely fast, incendiary pentatonic-based phrasing, becoming the touchstone for blues rock guitar.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |