JOHNNY WINTER

“The Best Of Johnny Winter”

Columbia/Legacy Records

Did you happen to see this year’s Oscar nominations? I couldn’t believe that Moulin Rouge got something like eight nominations. If I was to write a review of that movie I would describe it as something your hairdresser Lance might like. Personally I hated the movie. What does this have to do with Johnny Winter you ask? Not much except that if you liked Moulin Rouge then you’re probably not a big Johnny Winter fan. If Johnny Winter was a movie he’d be Pulp Fiction or High Fidelity. Moulin Rouge is pure Elton John.

Maybe Johnny Winter should do a Coors beer commercial because if anyone is a true American original it’s Johnny. Is there another guitar player in the history of this country that is more instantly recognizable? I mean this in terms of not only what he looks like but how he plays as well. He alone has defined what blues/rock is. Countless other blues rockers have come after him, but Johnny was the first. Johnny also was (is) the best.

This is a great set of music. There are 16 songs with a recording time of over 75 minutes. The tone is immediately set with the opening track “Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo.” This song was written by Johnny’s friend Rick Derringer who plays second guitar here. Two other prominent musicians featured on these recordings include Johnny’s brother Edgar and Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon. However all of the musicians take a back seat to Johnny’s relentless and dominating guitar attack.

Including on the disc are many of Johnny’s favorites such as “Johnny B.Goode,” “Highway 61 Revisted,” and “Come On In My Kitchen.” Also included are original songs such as “Hustled Down In Texas” and “Dallas.” But perhaps the highlight of the disc is live versions of B.B. King’s “It’s My Own Fault” followed by “Mean Town Blues.” This twenty minute jam is quintessential Johnny Winter. Young and full of confidence and swagger, Johnny is absolutely brilliant here.

Columbia/Legacy is a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Over the past several years they have done the music buying public a great service with all of the fantastic CD’s that they continue to repackage and reissue. “The Best Of Johnny Winter” is certainly no exception. As for Johnny himself, this is a time in his life where he is simultaneously looking back at his career and forward to his future. Alligator Records recently released a disc celebrating his years with that label during the eighties. And as I write this Johnny is in the process of putting the finishing touches on yet another new release on the Pointblank label. Oh, and one more thing. I write these words on Saturday February 23rd, 2002. It is Johnny’s 58th birthday. Happy birthday Johnny!

- Bill Harriman

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