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I never knew that legendary blues and rock guitarist Johnny Winter performed at the 1969 Woodstock music festival. That’s probably because his show was entirely omitted from both the 1970 movie and the original live albums. Needless to say, as a devoted fan, I was excited to discover that his performance would be released in a two-CD set: Johnny Winter: The Woodstock Experience.
One CD consists of this blues master’s entire eight-song set at Woodstock, recorded live on August 17, 1969. Included are previously unissued Winter versions of blues and blues/rock classics such as “Mama, Talk To Your Daughter,” Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode,” and his soulful vocal rendition of B.B. King’s “Done Lost Your Good Thing Now.” His own “Mean Town Blues” features his remarkable slide guitar, and he screeches out those vocals in his famous “Leland Mississippi Blues,” which is accompanied by his quick, intricate guitar work. Younger brother Edgar Winter (famous for the 1972 song, “Frankenstein”) chimes in on three of the songs, including “I Can’t Stand It,” the classic “Tobacco Road,” and “Tell the Truth.” However, it’s Johnny’s fiery performance that makes the album. This is blues guitar at its finest, but, then again, I never expect anything less from Johnny.
Now for the big surprise. What I didn’t expect was the accompanying CD, the fabulous 1969 self-titled album, which encompasses his wide blues spectrum—from southern rural blues to urban rhythm and blues, from acoustic to electric and slide guitar. His own compositions include the blues/rock “I’m Yours And I’m Hers,” and the acoustic guitar and raw vocals in “Dallas,” along with the studio version of “Leland Mississippi Blues.” He treats B.B. King’s “Be Careful With A Fool” in a pure urban blues style, and Edgar’s sax complements his swift guitar in an R&B version of Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Good Morning Little School Girl.” He goes back to acoustic guitar in Robert Johnson’s country blues “When You Got a Good Friend.” Edgar accompanies on piano in “I’ll Drown in My Own Tears,” and we’re back to the hardcore blues in Lightin’ Hopkins’ “Back Door Friend.”
Guest appearances include blues legends Big Walter “Shakey” Horton on harmonica and Willie Dixon on acoustic bass, in addition to Edgar Winter. However, again, it’s Johnny’s ruff and gruff vocals and his ecstatic guitar solos that stand out in this CD.
Johnny Winter was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and he’s included in Rolling Stone’s top 100 Guitarists of All Time. You’ll be able to see why when you hear Johnny Winter: The Woodstock Experience. It’s a passionate collection of Southern blues, and it’s a must for blues lovers and Johnny Winter fans alike.
