CD Review
Johnny Winter
"Deluxe Edition"
Alligator Records
by Dick Houff
Review date: March 2001
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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There are many crossover artists that bridge the gap between rock and blues. And there are very few that can pull it off successfully. Johnny Winter is the exception. I think his upbringing and locale has a lot to do with it. He was born in Leland, Mississippi, and raised in Beaumont, Texas. Geographically speaking, the blues and rock waltz well together in that part of the world. Winter is very special to me. I met Johnny 25 years ago in Monroe, Louisiana. I'll never forget that day; my phone was going berserk and it was 4:20 AM. My agent called and asked, if I'd like to open for Winter. I was ecstatic and took the job. Thoughts of easy money came into perspective: a highly charged Winter, and me playing unplugged as the warm-up! I had no idea that Johnny (also) played unplugged numbers. My tricone and slide slithered out the door with me in hot pursuit—Johnny's first three songs were solo masterstrokes on the same damn instrument as mine! Oh well, another embarrassing moment for yours truly. At that point, I became a life-long fan. His years with Alligator were pivotal in re-establishing Johnny back to the roots—the blues—raw and unpretentious. Actually, he was always there. If you listen to his early rock, you'll find the blues interlaced on individual tracks. On this outing, Alligator gathered tracks from his three previous 'Gators: GUITAR SLINGER,
SERIOUS BUSINESS, and 3rd DEGREE. They topped it with a previously unreleased track (#14) "Kiss Me Tomorrow," for the finale. Johnny kicks off with (one of my J.W. favs) "Mojo Boogie," and doesn't letup for a minute until your player shuts down! Don't let this one slide away—dig it!
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dick Houff, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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