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Johnny Winter - Live Bootleg Series, Vol. 1 Audio CD

A fair review of the Johnny Winter "Live Bootleg Series, Vol. 1" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Johnny Winter reviews here, or go back to the Johnny Winter tabs.

Johnny Winter Band: Johnny Winter
Title: Live Bootleg Series, Vol. 1
Rating:
Release Date: 2007-10-09
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Introduction 2: Johnny B. Goode 3: Messin' with the Kid 4: Help Me 5: Hideaway 6: Come on in My Kitchen 7: Rollin' and Tumblin' 8: Stranger 9: Jumpin' Jack Flash 10: Bony Moronie 11: Closing 12: It's All Over Now [*]

4 1/2 stars, more like. A great document
The other three are almost straight blues, but this first disc also throws a couple of rock n' roll songs, most notably a powerful, energetic "Johnny B. Of the four "Bootleg"-discs released so far, this one is the most "rock n' roll-like", if you will, even if it is still dominated by blues numbers. Goode", but also covers of "Bony Moronie", "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "It's All Over Now".

This is not a bootleg in the usual sense of the word, of course; these carefully selected recordings come from Johnny Winter's own vault and are produced by himself. The fidelity is generally excellent, and never worse than good, and Winter was on top of his game in the late 70s when these performances were recorded. He was playing with just bassist and occational harpist Jon Paris and drummer Bobby Turillo, but you never really feel like anything is lacking. This is blues (and rock) guitar at its finest, slow blues, fast numbers, R&B, Winter does it all with equal mastery, and his playing is always full of energy and passion, never repetitive, never showy.

In many ways, these live recordings are even more impressive than most of Winter's studio albums. The "Live Bootleg" series really shouws what a masterful guitarist he is, and his covers of blues classics like "Messin' with the Kid" and "Help Me" burn with fills and solos to rival anything you've ever heard.
Winter does a great, rather gritty "Hideaway", the much-lauded Freddie King-instrumental, before moving on to a sparse but powerful six-minute cover of Robert Johnson's "Come on in my Kitchen". Wonderful, biting slide guitar. Okay, so the riff suddenly sounds more like "You've got to Move" by Fred McDowell, but they're basically the same song anyway. . .

I'm usually not quite as fond of Winter's "old time rock n' roll"-covers like Larry Williams' "Bony Moronie", but this one is actually really good, with some sizzling guitar playing which sees Winter moving effortlessly between big riffs and single-string fills and solos. And while I'm not excactly blown away by an unconvincing "It's All Over Now", Winter's take on the Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" is also quite enjoyable. I can't help but think that the 8-minute "Rollin' and Tumblin'" would have benefited from being played a bit slower. . . the same semi-complaint I think I made against this very high-octane rendition when I first heard Winter perform it on the 1969 "Progressive Blues Experiment" album. But this one is no throwaway either, certainly, and it actually evolves into a rather interesting duet between Winter's guitar and bassist Jon Paris' harmonica. And the nine-minute original "Stranger" which follows it is another fine listen, if a bit uncharacteristic. It's sort of a rock ballad with a pinch of soul thrown in and played a little like a slow blues. . . not unlike something Whitesnake might've come up with at about the same time.

But the real five-star glow-in-the-dark highlights are the aforementioned blues standarts, a terrific "Messin' with the Kid", "Come on in my Kitchen", "Help Me", a really fine "Johnny B. Goode", and what I consider the best, juiciest version of "Bony Moronie" I've ever heard Winter (or anyone) perform. Oh, and don't forget the excellent take on "Hideaway"!
All in all, fans of Johnny Winter the bluesman will probably enjoy this highly enjoyable nugget the most, but fans of Johnny Winter the rocker should find a lot of stuff to like as well.
4 1/2 big, shiny stars. . . and the Bootleg series only gets better!.


Live Bootleg Series Volume 1
This album is a great snapshot of him in the 70's, and compliments the albums he released in those years. I love Johnny and will miss him when he's gone.

The recording and mix is quite good. I'll listen to this often. .


Johnny Winter Live Bootleg Vol-2 ROCKS
The band's music overcomes any shortcomings in the sound quality. This "album" is highly recommended! This is another must-have for any fan of Johnny Winter or blazing guitar playing. (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.


Not great
This album has some classic tunes done by Johnny before and the earlier versions are much better. I have been a huge fan of Johnny Winter since the early 70s and have seen him live more than a dozen times over the years. Examples are Johnnie B Goode and Jumpin' Jack Flash from the live album "Johnny Winter Live And". Compare these versions and you will find out that JW was much hotter before he became a train wreck from drugs, etc. This album shows his gradual decline in his abilities, sad.


SIZZLELING HOT
The only live album I have was the "Johnny Winter And" with Rick Derringer so this was a long-time treat for me. I got hooked on Johnny Winter when "Second Winter" was released back in high school. These three guys (I love Power Trios) sizzle like a RUTH CHRIS RIBEYE!!!! Highly recommended.


You can see a complete list of all Johnny Winter discography, or go back to the Johnny Winter tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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