****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Being a Texas Boy, I have lots of love for Johnny Winter and his style of Blues & Guitar playing. I really didn't become too aware of Johnny until I purchased his "Winter Of '88" back in '90 or '91 while working in Port Arthur, Texas. Don't recall why I purchased that LP, but glad I did. As much as I liked that album, I never really searched any of Mr. Winter's earlier material out, nor did I keep track of him and his following releases.Fast forward to now. I never forgot how much I enjoyed his guitar playing on that LP, in fact way back in 2000 I saw Eric Sardinas open up for B.B. King and during his entire set I just kept thinking how much Eric's style reminded me of what I'd heard on Mr. Winter's LP. I bought this with high hopes of rekindling that love I found with Mr. Winter's guitar playing, all the while knowing full well he was considerably older and was sharing the headlines with other artists on most all of these covers. I was not at all disappointed. First track "Unchain My Heart" was a pretty big surprise for me, I actually thought someone else was doing the singing while he played the guitar licks. Wrong, Johnny actually has a smooth, or should I say smoother voice than most anything else I'd ever heard him do. Heavy on the horn section with this cover as well. Track 2 "Can't Hold Out (Talk To Me Baby)" written by Willie Dixon, performed with Ben Harper. This oldie first recorded by Elmore James in 1960 and many others since, does the trick here. Track 3 "Don't Want No Woman" written by Magic Sam, performed with Eric Clapton. Couldn't ask for much better guitar duo than these too. Get's my imagination to runnin' away with me. Track 4 "Killing Floor" written by Howlin' Wolf aka Chester Burnett and recorded in 1964. Johnny is joined by Paul Nelson on this cover of a genre's classic. Just a tid bit of trivia, I just learned that Buddy Guy actually played acoustic guitar on the original recording of this song at Chess. Track 5 "Who Do You Love?" written by Ellas McDaniel aka Bo Diddly. This is a very good rockin' cover!! Shame of it all is Johnny says "I'm just 67 and I don't mind dying", I'm missing Mr. Winter already! Track 6 "Okie Dokie Stomp" written by Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, performed with Brian Setzez on guitar. This one's a fast upbeat Rockin' instrumental barn burner, with a bit of a big band sound when the horns kick in. I'd never actually heard this song before...I just ordered Clarence doing it live on "Real Life" from '85. Track 7 "Where Can You Be" written by ???, got stumped on this one. Love hearing the Reverend Billy Gibbons guitar though. This is another song I'd not ever heard that I recall, but enjoyed it. Track 8 "Sweet Sixteen" written by B.B. King. Mr. Winter is joined here with the awesome Joe Bonamassa on guitar. Seems everywhere I look now days, someone else is using Joe's guitar talents. Track 9 "Death Letter" written by Eddie 'Son' House. Mr. Winter does this one unaccompanied on his steel guitar. Classic!! Track 10 "My Babe" written by Willie Dixon for Little Walter to record. Harp player Jason Ricci joins Mr. Winter on this 1955 classic. Loved it!! Track 11 "Long Tall Sally" written by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell, Enotris Johnson & Richard Penniman aka Little Richard. Leslie West joins Mr. Winter on this fun rocker from March of '56. Fast paced and pretty true to the original, but Mr. Winter's voice doesn't work like Little Richard's. Actually, works better for me. Track 12 "Mojo Hand" written by Lightnin' Hopkins. The Great Mr. Joe Perry joins Mr. Winter on this good'n! Bet Joe & Johnny could have done some awesome jams together if given the opportunity. Track 13 "Blue Monday" written by Dave Bartholomew for Fats Domino. Dr. John tickles the ivories on this New Orleans Blues cover with Mr. Winter.I'm thinking any fan of Johnny Winter or older Blues & Rock classics will enjoy this last work of Johnny Winter's.Free Hugs!!&Keep A Rockin' In The Free World!!Changin' The World One Ear At A Tyme!!
