Edgar Winter: Brother Johnny Review
Johnny Winter is one of the most iconic names in the history of blues and rock. His incredible musical talent made it possible for him to go on a beautiful journey, having won millions of fans around the world with the powerful sound of his guitar. However, the frantic pace of musical success takes its toll, which brought Winter the torment of drug addiction and crippling anxiety. Fortunately, he emerged victorious from these dark times in the latter stages of his life and managed to end his career sounding as good and inspired as he did in his heyday in the ’70s. Winter passed away in 2014 in Switzerland, just two days after playing a festival in France, leaving behind one of the finest legacies in blues rock history. Johnny Winter is to many (this author included) a source of inspiration in terms of both guitar skills and toughness in the face of adversity.
Edgar Winter is a brilliant multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. Having played countless times in bands with his brother, Edgar also built an incredible career in his own right. Having experimented with several musical genres besides the blues, such as jazz, pop, and classical music, nothing stood in the way of his musical expeditions. Despite this great difference from his brother, who was a bluesman above all else, Edgar has always loved Johnny deeply. With this in mind, Edgar assembled an illustrious group of guests of the highest caliber to record the recently released Brother Johnny, a heartfelt tribute to his very first musical champion.
This release by Quarto Valley Records features the participation of musicians such as Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Keb’ Mo’, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, Derek Trucks, and Taylor Hawkins, among many others. The album celebrates Johnny’s career with 15 tracks carefully picked by Edgar as well as two new original numbers. While the renditions do not deviate from the originals substantially, they are infused with new doses of enthusiasm and intensity, which is the result of the passion of every musician involved.
The opener “Mean Town Blues”, sung by Edgar, features Joe Bonamassa impressing once more as his biting guitar sound cuts through the mix brilliantly. “Alive and Well” follows with Edgar’s distinctive voice battling for the spotlight with Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s fiery licks while the magnificent, acoustic-based original cut “Lone Star Blues” features Keb’ Mo’ and tells Johnny’s story focusing on how he dealt with stardom. On the song, Edgar commented: “So I wrote this about something I know Johnny felt deep in his heart…the idea of being a star yet feeling all alone… and then the perfect title, ‘Lone Star Blues’ came to me, which as a native Texan carries a double meaning.”
Chuck Berry’s everlasting classic “Johnny B. Goode”, an important song in Johnny’s Career, also received special treatment. Featuring a punchy saxophone and Joe Walsh’s vocals, the song is taken to another level. “Rock n’ Roll Hoochie Koo” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” are also highlights as well as the explosive version of “Memory Pain”, sung by Warren Haynes. The hard-rocking take on “Guess I’ll Go Away” is only made possible by Taylor Hawkins’ impeccable drumming and high-energy vocals. Hawkins left us way too soon last month and his talent and charisma will be sorely missed. The mellow original “End Of The Line”, closes the album with a reflection on death accompanied by an emotional approach with piano and strings.
Brother Johnny is arguably one of the greatest tribute albums of all time. Passionate and enthusiastic, the record celebrates Johnny Winter and introduces his music to newer generations with an outstanding selection of star guests and classic songs.
The Review:9/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Mean Town Blues
– Alive And Well
– Lone Star Blues
– Johnny B. Goode
– Guess I’ll Go Away
– Memory Pain
The Big Hit
– Lone Star Blues
Buy the album: Amazon
Where is Rick Derringer in all this?
He certainly was a major factor in both the Winter Brothers’ careers, and visa-versa.
Life-long fans of all three (Johnny, Edgar, and Rick) are curious.
Regardless of how well the tribute songs are performed, (and from I have heard, it doesn’t seem complete or full circle without Rick Derringer involved, in some capacity.
Perhaps Blues Rock Review has access to Edgar or Rick, and is able to o obtain the scoop?
Typos above (due to Ads interfering with typing)
Corrected to read:
Regardless of how well the tribute songs are performed, (and from I have heard, they sound terrific), it doesn’t seem complete or full circle, without Rick Derringer involved, in some capacity.
I would have liked to hear derringer & also Tommy Shannon on a track . You can’t have it all . But this has to be the best album of the year !! Got my vote .
Could’ve and maybe should’ve have been a great tribute album but I found it quite weak e.g. was there really a need for “Johnny B. Goode” , “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Stormy Monday Blues” (what does that have to do with Johnny?) and “Got My Mojo Workin'”? Plus the 2 new originals, really necessary? So many great Johnny songs that Edgar could’ve done instead e.g. “Be Careful With A Fool”, “Don’t Take Advantage Of Me”, “Sound The Bell”, “You Keep Sayin’ That You’re Leaving”, “It’s My Own Fault”, “Life Is Hard”, “Johnny Guitar” etc.
I agree about Rick Derringer. Also I just want to mention that Johnny is not in the R&R Hall of Fame which is a bogus organization.
I agree about Rick Derringer. Also I just want to mention that Johnny is not in the R&R Hall of Fame which is a bogus organization.
Rick is playing on a couple of songs
Just checked the album’s credits, and no mention of Rick Derringer, unless he is playing, engineering, or producing
uncredited/anonymously.
i felt it should have been all johnny orginals . he wrote plenty of great songs.
Good point on should have been Johnny Winter originals, plus the songs he became most famous for.