Search - Johnny Winter :: Johnny Winter (Exp)

A terrific expanded reissue of a great record

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 08/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1969 album is one of Johnny Winter's best and bluesiest.

Here he is at 25, backed by Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan's bass player in the 80s), drummer John Turner, and occationally his brother Edgar (Winter's brother, not Turner's!) on piano and saxophone. Chess stalwart Willie Dixon even pays a visit, as does harmonica ace Walter Horton who blows the harp on a great "Mean Mistreater".



While most every other white blues singer in the late 60s was trying to make the blues more palatable to the mainstream pop audience by toning it down a little, Winter makes no concessions to pop sensibility at all. His guitar playing is pure and savage, yet he never resorts to meaningless shredding, and his prowess on the acoustic slide guitar is impressive...just listen to his self-penned "Dallas", a perfectly authentic slice of Delta blues.

This exquisitely remastered 2004 reissue also adds three bonus tracks, including a slightly longer version of the aforementioned "Dallas" which finds Winter backed by bass and harmonica (the version originally issued is a solo performance). "Country Girl" is a gritty mid-tempo boogie, and "Two Steps From The Blues" is a surprisingly sleek, soul-flavoured rendition of the Bobby "Blue" Bland number. It clashes a bit with the rest of the album, but it also gives Johnny Winter a chance to show off his abilities as an R&B-crooner.



There is barely a weak track on this fine record. Contained here is some of the best and certainly most authentic blues ever recorded by a white bluesman, and "Johnny Winter" is the perfect introduction to the albino guitarist, as well as being one of his two or three best albums. And this expanded edition features a newly written essay in addition to the original liner notes, as well as the best sound ever.

4 1/2 stars - highly recommended."

I will never forget....

Wildman Fischer | 10/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That day in 1969, I bought this album, put it on my hi-fi, and found out what blues guitar was all about. This is one of a handful of albums that I always have kept close at hand and updated. I saw Winter live in 1970 in Columbia, SC. He had then picked up Rick Derringer and was touring about the South with The Allman Brothers. I will never forget the sight of Winter thrashing about the stage his fingers a blur of white lightening: His pale skin and white hair were so exaggerated because he was otherwise totally dressed in black. What a show that was. Until this album was released, I thought I had heard what rock/blues guitar sounded like via the albums of Cream, Hendrix and the like...but for my money, if it's pure, nasty, sliding blues guitar you want, you won't do much better than this album. It's a classic sounding as good today as it did 37 years ago; it's truly one of a kind. This is definitely an album for anyone who loves the blues and wants their collection to be complete. This is a no brainer..."

Now for some serious blues guitar

ECU_Classic_Music_Fan | Charlotte, NC United States | 03/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thanks to the reviews that came before mine. I had been looking for a Johnny Winter cd (having nothing by him) and the reviews on this page convinced me to start here.



Glad I did. As a guitarist I am blown away by Winter's approach to the blues. No compromises to the current music scene going on in '69. This guy just brought the serious, serious blues to this album. He burns through a set of standard blues songs leaving the listener dumbfounded.



His brother, Edgar, joins him on a couple of tunes with keyboards and horns. Most of the songs are performed with just bass and drums backing up Johnny's guitar.



The sound of this remastered cd is incredible. I still have a hard time believing this was recorded in 1969. The only let down - it's kind of short. But that's not a real drawback. It's so good you'll just put it on replay or shuffle.



Along with the original album artwork you get a short but informative write-up on what led up to the recording sessions for this debut.



If you're a fan of Hendrix, Page, Clapton, and Beck and haven't heard Winter then this just might be like Christmas day for you."