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46 of 47 found the following review helpful:
 So hot it will blister the paint on your walls - 10 stars! Jan 31, 2006
By Talking Wall
"Never trust a man with manicured hands"
Let's put the debate regarding which is the better of the two sides (rocker/bluesman) of Johnny Winter's career aside for a moment. After all, we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy both sides of Johnny's career!
Johnny Winter And Live was the first Winter record I'd ever heard, back in 1972! And it is still hotter than a firecraker on a Phoenix 4th of July!
Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Randy Hobbs, and Bobby Caldwell are absolutely scorchin' hot on this live release recorded at Pirate's World and The Fillmore East circa 1971. Listen: I've been buying and listening to records since 1967 and nothing, and I mean NOTHING is as consistently firey hot as this set. I saw Johnny on his Still Alive and Well tour but I really wish I'd seen this line up. If I had a time machine, I would definitely be dialing in the dates of these performances.
I thought about this "record" for a while before writing this review because I wanted to try and describe the level of excitement and energy found here. The best metaphor I can come up with is this release is like an amusement park full of roller coasters. Each track is an action packed, thrill ride - no foolin'. All the musicians are great, Caldwell and Hobbs make a relentless, pounding rhythm section throughout while Johnny burns up the fretboard and Derringer does an admirable job of keeping up. It's Johnny, like Pecos Bill, ridin' atop a tornado of a band. In my opinion, this is one of 3 or 4 truly exciting live recordings from this era.
The session opens up with Bobby Caldwell (later the drummer for Captain Beyond) pounding away an introduction to Good Morning Little School Girl with Winter off mic shouting with his trademark growl - yeaaaaaaah!
Next we get a searing rendition of BB King's It's My Own Fault. Winter's vocal on the ending is literally the tail wagging the dog!
Next up, a positively blistering version of Jumpin' Jack Flash that just has to be heard - this is worth the price of admission. When Winter sings "I was schooled with a strap right across my back" you KNOW he means it far more than that beloved, rubber-lipped graduate of the London School of Economics (yes, I am a Stones fan too). After 30+ years this is STILL the best version of this tune I have ever heard recorded live. It has all the fury of a "cross-fire hurricane"!
Next up, the rock-n-roll medley (Great Balls of Fire/Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On) that features Rick Derringer in a demonstration/audience performance of how to "Shake It" You can tell that the entire audience is on their feet jumpin' and shakin' around like a Holy Spirit charged congregation of Pentacostal believers.
Mean Town Blues, from a guitar player perspective is the highlite of this release. Simply amazing playing from Mr Winter. Can't elaborate. It's Smokin'!
The set wraps up with Johnny growling/shouting "Rock-n-roll" and blazing into Johnny B. Goode - hands down the greatest version of this song anywhere.
I think what makes this set so incredible compared to other blazing guitar performances I've heard is the level of sincerity and authenticity. These guys aren't trying to prove anything, they don't need to! They are having a whale of a time showing off their craft and pumping the audience up with their seemingly endless energy. Trust me, add it to your cart right now.
WARNING: Do not play this within 2 or 3 hours of bedtime. It will get you so riled up you won't be able to sleep!
Just a note on a previous review:
An earlier reviewer noted Winter doesn't have much to say about this release. I would imagine that it probably has something to do with Johnny cleaning himself up - he had some serious addiction problems about the time this was released. It's probably important to keep this period of his career at something of a distance.
As far as a fued with Rick Derringer, I don't believe that to be the case. Rick severed ties with Slatus Management due to alledged unscrupulous fan club deeds. Johnny remained with Slatus a while longer but I see he has also severed his ties with Slatus. Rick and Johnny were not allowed to perform together around the time Derringer changed managers and I know first-hand that Rick was rather bummed out by the situation.
I've been looking at Johnny's web site and his new release "I'm a Bluesman" Johnny is looking much better than he's looked in many years - he's actually gained a little weight and the beard is back - he's lookin' good. Here's wishing him many more years with his fans.
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Katie, Bar the Door. Dec 26, 2006
By D. Parsley
"PongJiPong"
This is one of my top 10 favorite rock guitar albums of all time. The energy captured on this live session is unbelievable. Rarely have I heard 2 guitarists propel and counter one another like Winter and Derringer do here. Sure some of the material is overly familiar (Johnny B. Goode, etc), but after hearing these versions of the songs, most others pale in comparison. Tight and driving stuff here. Check out this rhythm section!
Considering the deluxe treatment recently given to Second Winter, I can't help hoping that the PTB will see fit to offer a remixed and expanded version of this recording...and SOON.
19 of 20 found the following review helpful:
Nothing like it on the planet Nov 20, 2006
By Mark Twain
"Mark Twain"
One of my huge regrets in life is not being at this concert. Missing Cream at Fillmore West is the other.
That being said, if you own 2 rock CDs, this should be one of them. It is one of the top five rock albums of all time and the hardest of the Johnny Winter albums, played when he was at his absolute peak. Not only that, playing off with Rick Derringer at his career peak, and the solid bass of Randy Jo Hobbs, and the driving intensity of drummer Bobby Caldwell will kick your body and head and leave you breathless, gasping for more. You WILL replay it, louder.
Every song is excellent, from memory: It starts with Good Morning Little School Girl, an old Chuck Berry song gone berzerk. Next is the most perfect rock 'n roll song - ever, period: Jumpin' Jack Flash. OMG! C. Michael Bailey from All About Jazz says, "Jumpin' Jack Flash is as final a statement in Rock Music as can be hoped for". Or might I add, be possible. It starts fast and rises perfectly to a peak and then comes down to just the right place. "Next we're gonna slow things down and do some blues for ya" - yeah, right: Its My Own Fault: The rhythm is blues, but the guitar is blazing fast. How does he do that? Next is the Rock 'n Roll Medley, a rising intensity of insanity thinly masquerading as three old rock 'n roll songs - Great Balls of Fire/Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On) climaxing in a guitar explosion that would leave Jerry Lee Lewis breathless. Winter's own Mean Town Blues is next - are you ready for it? No rest for you - A nine minute flaying of your sensibilities, the pace is laid down by a relentless Caldwell and raw-wired over with almost sadistic guitar work. The drum beat increases in speed and ferocity to near insanity. Johnny B. Goode is last, but not least; a fast riff on riff slamming the album's door shut in your face. There isn't a mistake in the whole album, just an intensity that most guitarists can't even dream about.
These boys are the best; at their best. And they'll leave you breathless and wanting more.
Well?
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
ROCK & ROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dec 15, 2004
By tgfabthunderbird
My introduction to Johnny Winter & the blues was an 8-track of this recording!
My older brother had taken off for college in '77 and left this and a bunch of other stuff behind. I was looking for something new to listen to and popped this in, having no idea what was about to happen.
From the opening chords of the "Rock and Roll Medley" I was hooked!
I'd never heard such intensity from a singer or a guitarist...nothing like it since, to be perfectly honest.
My other favorite track is "Mean Town Blues," and I have a video from an '83 concert of Johnny doing it. Great guitar work in either case.
His version of "It's My Own Fault" is also stellar. There's a recently released version on a Bloomfield/Kooper live album that's also great.
This was a door, and eye-opener.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
An Overlooked Gem Nov 27, 2003
By Mark Bumgardner
Until I bought this CD a week or two ago, I had not heard this album in ages. I had forgotten how much energy and passion Johnny once put into his live sets. While there is only one original song here ("Mean Town Blues" - and it comes off sounding like a blues classic), the choice of covers is exceptional - from Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis to the Rolling Stones.I had also forgotten how important Rick Derringer was to this band. He is the perfect foil for Johnny - matching J.W. lick for lick on guitar, playing flawless rhythm, and even singing lead on some of the Rock & Roll Medley. This is an excellent band - probably the best Winter ever toured with. Randy Jo Hobbs (bass)and a young Bobby Caldwell(!)on "percussion" make a terriffic rhythm section. All in all, this is a solid set. I too am in favor of this title joining the "re-mastered and expanded" club. Since two shows were taped for this album there's got to be lots of stuff they didn't use the first time around. Come on, Columbia! Dig in those vaults and give us a beefed up version. This album deserves it!
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