Product Description: I always knew I d make it, Johnny Winter, cigarette dangling from his lips, told me after a gig one night in 2007 as his tour bus rolled on through the darkness of rural Virginia. I never doubted it. I always knew that playing music was what I was meant to do, and I never even thought about doing anything else.
Live Bootleg Series Volume II the second installment in Friday Music s artist-approved releases displays the same unshakable confidence that made Johnny Winter one of the 20th century s most important and influential guitarists. It also illuminates the native Texan s lifelong love affair with the blues, not to mention his absolute mastery of the guitar.
Johnny s own searing Black Cat Bone, a tune he first recorded for 1969 s The Progressive Blues Experiment, kicks things off, and it s followed by a true blues story: a tale of persecution, the Mose Allison-penned Parchman Farm, which Johnny transforms into a heavy, groove-laden rocker.
Up next is Rock Me Baby, a hit for B.B. King. To this day, Johnny fondly recalls the night in 1962 in his native Beaumont when B.B., playing a local blues club called The Raven, hesitantly allowed a young Johnny Winter after first checking to see if he had a union card to sit in with his band. (Johnny did, in fact, take the stage that night, and he earned a standing ovation for his efforts.) This riff-heavy reading of B.B. s classic is vintage Johnny, sporting his deep-throated growl and soaring, overdriven blues-rock guitar lines.
An undeniable highlight of this collection is the jaw-dropping, 15-minute reading of Willie Brown s Mississippi Blues. Alongside a wailing harmonica, Johnny expertly builds the tune from the bottom up, each turnaround giving way to yet another verse that seems to up the ante even more. By the time the tune concludes its sixth minute and the entire band kicks in, the guitar lines have become simply torrid and there s still a lot more ahead. It sets the table beautifully for what comes next, Johnny s incendiary take on Robert Johnson s Crossroads, which rocks firmly in the spirit of Cream. Closing this collection is a simply unforgettable Red House, in which Winter dedicates the tune to Al Hendrix in memory of his late son Jimi.
Johnny Winter s blues have always run deep. The disc you hold in your hands is proof.
Smokin' hot blues Johnny Winter Style!!! More great live music from the real king of texas blues. This material is killer. BUT, when they say bootleg, they mean it... The mix sounds if taken from a sound board and maybe ran thru a sound enhancer. Not sure if it is just my cd, but the treble is way up -sounding like it is maxed out to hide the hiss. You have to turn it down -which on my car deck is a pain. But then again, you have to take the bad with the good when it comes to a legend like Johnny Winter. If you are like me, you will buy everything he puts out -and relish it. Which is exactly what I do - and you should too. They do not make them like Johnny Winter anymore. He was and still is the one first real and true Texas blues guitar slinger! Apoligies to SRV, but without Johnny Winter, there would be no Stevie Ray. Rock me baby, crossroads, and red house??? Come on!!! This IS the BLUES!!! I can't wait for for bootleg vol III, IV, and V!!!!
CAPITOL THEATER MEMORIES Wow, volumes 1 and 2 bring back so many great memories of seeing Johnny at the Capitol in Passiac in the early eighties. Saw him at least 3 times in a 2 year period including one show at the Beacon with Roy Buchanon and Buddy Guy. These recordings were probably from the late seventies, but with the same lineup. Jon Paris was an amazing bass player, and even though Johnny seemed to switch drummers evry couple of yeras they were all talented, and brought their own unique style. Johnny was simple the best guitar player ever, period .
Johnny still kicks it ! When I got this I was not too pleased by the sound quality. It has too much top end , a little treble-ish for my taste , but the music ROCKS !!! A gotta have for blues fans everywhere.
Johnny Winter Live Bootleg Vol-1 ROCKS This "album" is highly recommended! This is a must-have for any fan of Johnny Winter or blazing guitar playing. The band's music overcomes any shortcomings in the sound quality. (Volume 1 is a better recording, but volume 2 may have more innovative playing.) After all, these are live recordings, from an era before sophisticated remote music equipment. Don't let the warts spoil a fantastic musical experience. Sit back (if you can) and enjoy! The licks aren't as polished (occasionally) as his studio albums, but the improvisation is fantastic. This group puts out an amazing sound for three members.
Great Blues for JW fans This is great. I'm not sure that this great guitarist will be with us for too many more years. Lyrics are hard to understand on track 1, but the music is top notch and the guitar playing is top of the line throughout this CD. I like "live" stuff and these tracks are all worthy additions to my collection. I recommend this for Johnny Winter, Bluesman fans.
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