Johnny Winter: Live Through the ‘70s

For blues-rock aficionados, it doesn't get much better than Johnny Winter in the 1970s. After honing his chops in the ‘60s, the tall Texan released two of his most popular recordings, 1971's Johnny Winter And and 1973's Still Alive and Well. This DVD compilation of filmed and televised sets from 1970-79, featuring 14 tracks (with no repeats), plays almost like a greatest hits collection. Excerpts from a laidback 1970 interview filmed at Detroit Tube Works (in which the singer/guitarist talks about his desire to levitate, boredom with the current music scene, and new lineup) brackets the performance segments, which kick off with a 1970 performance recorded for Denmark's Gladsaxe Teen Club, featuring an embryonic version of younger brother Edgar's classic instrumental “Frankenstein.” The other venues Winters plays are located in London (Royal Albert Hall), Germany (Beat Club, Musikladen, and Rockpalast), and America (Don Kirshner's Rock Concert and Soundstage), and while guitarist Rick Derringer is notably absent, the Chicago Soundstage benefits from Mike Bloomfield on guitar, Dr. John on piano, Buddy Miles on drums, and Junior Wells on harmonica. Whether tackling originals (“Mean Town Blues”) or covers (B.B. King's “Be Careful With a Fool,” Chuck Berry's “Johnny B. Goode”), Winter's growly singing gets the job done, but his axe playing, ranging from gentle to fierce, always takes center stage, making this release especially valuable for electric guitarists with an interest in the blues. Although the image quality varies (the Royal Albert Hall footage is pretty washed out) as does the audio (despite Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo sound), this collection of woolly performances is recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)