JOHNNY WINTER True To The Blues – The Johnny Winter Story
Sony/Legacy
Here we have a well-deserved career-spanning collection of high energy blues from one of the masters. Sony/Legacy just presented us with the marvellous Mike Bloomfield box set and here is another that simply MUST be added to our collections. The many live tracks catch this living legend making you feel like you were there. Well chosen material mostly even better than some of his original studio versions are amongst the 56 tracks over the 4 CDs and not a duff track. A bargain! Then add in the super booklet with notes by Brad Tolinski (Guitar World) and the numerous quotes from other players and you see we have a very special set here. My only query is why is the shorter, ten minute version of It’s My Own Fault from his Fillmore set here instead of the 22 minute one?
My own favourite Winter albums are his 1968 recorded The Progressive Blues Experiment and his 1969 eponymous first album on Columbia Records and this has given me much more to think about the legend and on disc two there are previously un-released live tracks from Atlanta Pop Festival (1970), gems! The third disc runs through his 70’s albums including Still Alive And Well with some live takes with Muddy himself. There’s possibly not enough of his Pointblank material here but there is Dust My Broom featuring Derek Trucks, now there is a tempter if ever there was one! Too many really great tracks here to choose any few standouts. As a life summary this is one of the best. As a music source it is a great experience so don’t hesitate just do it!
FRANK LEIGH
