Johnny Winter has been flattening audiences since he blew out of Texas like a white tornado in 1968. At the tail end of the blues revival when British blues rockers were co-opting America's only indigenous art form, Johnny... more » staked his claim to the title of reigning blues guitar hero with blinding chops as hot as a jalapeno and authentic blues feel as deep, wide and muddy as the Rio Grande.
Johnny's studio releases are an unparalleled record of the evolution of a blues master who has never stopped growing and perfecting his unique artistic vision of the music as a living, breathing entity meant to be expressed with spontaneity and unbounded enthusiasm in concert. To the everlasting gratitude of his fans, he has recorded a tremendous number of his shows, amassing an archive of forty plus years of musical treasures. They are now being carefully and painstakingly mastered and will be released over the next several years as the Live Bootleg Series on Friday Music.
Volume One covers a collection of Johnny's vintage performances featuring bassist Jon Paris and drummer Bobby T, his power trio at the time playing with fiery abandon and thundering drive. From his signature hair-raising scream of A LITTLE ROCK AND ROLL! that introduces Johnny B. Goode to his stomping bonus track cover of Bobby Womack's R&B classic It's All Over Now, this musical journey is one of blues and rock, heart and soul. If there is any doubt that he is the premier interpreter of the Rolling Stones, one need only to listen to his cataclysmic version of Jumpin' Jack Flash, to dispel any rumors. It's no wonder Keith and Mick gladly handed him their Silver Train to cover. Any Texan worth his salt and tequila includes Freddie King's Hide Away in his repertoire, but Johnny knows it from the inside out and makes the well- worn classic his own. Ever conscious of his true roots in country blues, he delivers a Southern fried Rollin' and Tumblin' for the ages, stamping it as bonafide with his slashing slide guitar. Further demonstrating his versatility, his original, brooding Stranger makes a case for this overlooked aspect of his talent.
As Johnny is quick to point out when anyone calls his recent resurgence as a comeback, But I never went anywhere! These priceless, previously unreleased live recordings only further serve to fill in the gaps in a legacy that continues to be added to with every passing contemporary show and recording.
Johnny Winter has been flattening audiences since he blew out of Texas like a white tornado in 1968. At the tail end of the blues revival when British blues rockers were co-opting America's only indigenous art form, Johnny staked his claim to the title of reigning blues guitar hero with blinding chops as hot as a jalapeno and authentic blues feel as deep, wide and muddy as the Rio Grande.
Johnny's studio releases are an unparalleled record of the evolution of a blues master who has never stopped growing and perfecting his unique artistic vision of the music as a living, breathing entity meant to be expressed with spontaneity and unbounded enthusiasm in concert. To the everlasting gratitude of his fans, he has recorded a tremendous number of his shows, amassing an archive of forty plus years of musical treasures. They are now being carefully and painstakingly mastered and will be released over the next several years as the Live Bootleg Series on Friday Music.
Volume One covers a collection of Johnny's vintage performances featuring bassist Jon Paris and drummer Bobby T, his power trio at the time playing with fiery abandon and thundering drive. From his signature hair-raising scream of A LITTLE ROCK AND ROLL! that introduces Johnny B. Goode to his stomping bonus track cover of Bobby Womack's R&B classic It's All Over Now, this musical journey is one of blues and rock, heart and soul. If there is any doubt that he is the premier interpreter of the Rolling Stones, one need only to listen to his cataclysmic version of Jumpin' Jack Flash, to dispel any rumors. It's no wonder Keith and Mick gladly handed him their Silver Train to cover. Any Texan worth his salt and tequila includes Freddie King's Hide Away in his repertoire, but Johnny knows it from the inside out and makes the well- worn classic his own. Ever conscious of his true roots in country blues, he delivers a Southern fried Rollin' and Tumblin' for the ages, stamping it as bonafide with his slashing slide guitar. Further demonstrating his versatility, his original, brooding Stranger makes a case for this overlooked aspect of his talent.
As Johnny is quick to point out when anyone calls his recent resurgence as a comeback, But I never went anywhere! These priceless, previously unreleased live recordings only further serve to fill in the gaps in a legacy that continues to be added to with every passing contemporary show and recording.
Dave Rubin - Guitar Player Magazine
"Kudos to Friday Music for giving us the Live Bootleg Series. If Volume One is any indication, Johnny Winter fans are in for a veritable feast of superb blues and rock 'n' roll. This initial offering gives us over an hour of great music from one of the true masters. Johnny comes out smoking and never lets up. "Stranger" is a particular standout and shows what a fine vocalist he was before age began to take its toll. The recording quality is a bit uneven, but for the most part as good as you might hope for from a '70s recording. I saw Johnny earlier this year at the Rex Theatre in Pittsburgh, and he still delivers. While he's slowed down a bit, and he can't sing like he used to, he still tore the place up. If he comes to your town, don't miss out on the chance to see a true living legend. In the meantime, get this recording. You won't be disappointed."
Surprised!!!
Rocky G. Marron | paxton, illinois USA | 02/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As many of the J. Winter fans out there know...you take a big chance with "new" Winter stuff. There is soooo much garbage out there repackaged under different names it is at times rediculous. So you can understand my concern when I purchased this disc. First of all, the sound is top notch, the guitar is clear. vocals up front, no inordinate hiss...nice. The performance is very nice as well (I don't think I have heard this one before...surprise - Jon Paris is on bass). Johnny seems fairly interested and excited, his playing is very good, not great, but very good (Y'Know as I continue to listen while a type...damn, he is playing pretty good). Look, I know what I was expecting when I ordered this and was pleasently surprised by what I received...hopefully, this is a "series" of releases, I am hooked."
A real treat .
Mr. David Smith | 12/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a must for all Johnny Winter and Blues-Rock fans. Johnny really smokes on this CD which I believe is the Woodstock Reunion concert in 1979.
What really distinguishes Johnny from all the rest of his guitar rivals is that when he plays you do not know when the Blues stops and Rock 'N'Roll begins.
My favourite track is Stranger, one of his own compositions. It over 7 minutes long and the two guitar solos are terrific. Next is Messin with the kid. Rory Gallagher's version in "Live in Europe" was my benchmark for this song, but Johnny takes it to a new level. Help Me is also fantastic and Come on in my kitchen. Hell - all the tracks are excellent and I hope this is a first of many "Bootlegs" to be released. Don't hesitate, buy it now."
EXCELLENT CD
Michael P. Wilder | 11/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"HELLO, JUST GOT THIS INCREDIBLE CD IN THE MAIL. I SAW MY FIRST JOHNNY WINTER CONCERT AT THE CAPITAL THEATER IN PASSAIC N.J.IN 1983, AND NEVER LOOKED BACK. SAME LINEUP WITH JON PARIS ON BASS, BUT NOT SURE IF BOBBY CALDWELL WAS THE DRUMMER THEN. THESE SHOWS WERE SET IN THE MID TO LATER SEVENTIES. CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT BOOTLEG SERIES COMES OUT. JOHNNY PRESERVED A LOT OF RECORDINGS OVER 40 YEARS WORTH. THIS CD LEAVES YOU WANTING MORE. SEEING JOHNNY TODAY IN CONCERT IS NOT THE SAME, BUT STILL AN HONOR TO GO SEE HIM, ESPECIALLY WITH HIS BROTHER EDGAR ON THE BILL. THANKS AGAIN."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
