Search - Edgar Winter :: White Trash

Another gem from 1972!

P.J. Le Faucheur | Canada (ex- U.K. resident) | 10/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album and 'Roadwork' were probably the best that Edgar Winter has ever released, although when it came to commercial success "They Only Come Out At Night" scores the highest since alot of chart singles were released from that album.

Thanks to Emperor Rosko this album got alot of airplay on British radio in 1972. Very funky throughout especially on the gospel groove "Save The Planet" (almost could've been written by Laura Nyro) "Give It Everything You've Got" has that Allen Toussaint sound. "Keep Playin' That Rock 'n'Roll" is a short auto-biographical account of Johnny & Edgars careers.

The main reason why I rate this one and Edgars live 'Roadwork' is on account of the SUPERB vocals of Jerry LaCroix, probably one of the most underrated singers that ever lived. The closest thing to a white version of Ray Charles!! Just listen to him sing Rays blues ballad "I've Got News for You" (which also features Johnny Winter on rhythm guitar)

LaCroixs voice can make your hair stand on end. Every track on this one is superb and full of raw, in-your-face earthiness. No slick commercial hype on this album.

A wonderful album fully reminiscent of the talent filled early '70s when the Blues still had a strong influence on the rock idiom and people really knew how to play their instruments."

Giving It EVERYTHING They've Got!!!

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 01/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wonder if people who grew up in the late 60's/early 70's take it for granted that every time they turned around some instant rock,soul or jazz classic was coming out all the time. Well this is one of them. But sometimes I think people forget why this album is so revered. Actually this is Edgar Winter's second album and serves as something of a transition from the psychedelized jazz-funk of Entrance and the blistering southern rock of They Only Come Out at Night.The overall result is smelly,horn heavy,passionately sung early 70's rock n' groove:kind of soul,very funky and rockin' all the way! "Give It Everything You Got" does just that:the mind blowing,untested singing of Jerry LaCroix melds with Edgar's own intense vocal gymnastics with a tune straight out of Sly & The Family Stone.Unlike the non stop Tower Of Power style funkfest of Edgar & White Trash's only other album Recycled,which was really Edgars show this album is actually very diverse,which is probably why it's so much more better known. You've got Sam Cooke style soul ballads such as "Fly Away","You Were My Light" and Edgar's spellbinding "Good Morning Music" but also high octane gospel such as "Save The Planet" and the one bluesy sax excursion of "I've Got News For You".Of course if the kind of gutbucket,greasy horn fueled funk that starts off the album is what does it for you then head straight for "Let's Get It On" and "Keep Playing That Rock N' Roll" and "Where Would I Be".One really strong highlite here is "Dying To Live";I hope someday this reflective,poetically challanging ballad will be the song Edgar Winter will be remembered for;he apparently is so proud of it he re-recorded it eight years later on Edgar Winter Album. The song is an obvious musing on death versus life;it's never clear entirely in what context.Lyricall allusions to fighting and despair kind of link it with the events of the era:Vietnam,Kent State and such but the fact it's very non specific and focuses more on philosophysing as opposed to history gives it a timeless appeal.Not to mention it contains one of my favorite lines from any song:"I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion". Taken together this is not only a classic of the "horn rock" of "white funk" genre but also finds an artist and an entire genre in the throws of an important transition and really allows anyone who happens to listen to have a great time while taking the ride."

Young again

Chas | Baltimore | 06/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Took me back to my freshman year in college. Loved Edgar Winter then, love 'em now."