Unheard Johnny Winter tracks to be released
In 1970, at the age of 26 and at the peak of his powers, the remarkable Texan guitarist Johnny Winter performed a legendary set at New York’s Fillmore East, accompanied by his bandmates – guitarist Rick Derringer and bass player Randy Jo Hobbs (both of “Hang On Sloopy” 60s teenage sensations The McCoys) plus drummer Bobby Caldwell. On September 26, Floating World Records will release Live At The Fillmore East, 1970 on CD- a double LP follows on October 31 – which contains five previously unreleased tracks from the same show and in-depth sleeve notes by respected music writer Alan Robinson.
‘Live At The Fillmore East, 1970’ contains two tracks from the 1971 concert album ‘Live Johnny Winter And’ – “Good Morning Little School Girl” and “It’s My Own Fault”- plus five previously unreleased tracks from the same show, including Derringer’s “Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo”, which Derringer himself would record on his 1973 solo debut album ‘All American Boy’. Derringer and Winter had contrasting guitar styles that sparked off one another, and the vitality of their playing on this album feels like a fitting tribute to Derringer, who passed away in May this year at the age of 77.
By 1971 Winter’s growing heroin addiction meant he had to put his career on hiatus whilst he went into rehab, and he wouldn’t release anything new until his classic, Rick Derringer-produced ‘Still Alive and Well’ album of 1973.
Born in Beaumont, Texas in 1944, with the rare condition Albinism, Johnny Winter was a guitarist, songwriter, and record producer best known for his high-energy blues rock albums and live performances. He also produced three Grammy Award-winning late career albums for blues singer and guitarist Muddy Waters. In 1988, Winter was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and in 2003 he was ranked 63rd in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’.
Johnny Winter died in Zurich, Switzerland, on July 16th, 2014, of a combination of emphysema and pneumonia. Writing in Rolling Stone magazine, after Winter’s death, David Marchese said, “Winter was one of the first blues rock guitar virtuosos, releasing a string of popular and fiery albums in the late Sixties and early Seventies, becoming an arena-level concert draw in the process” … [he] “made an iconic life for himself by playing the blues”.
This album serves to remind the listener of what exactly the Johnny Winter reputation was founded upon; incredible guitar playing virtuosity matched by impassioned vocals and marbled through with an indelible love of and feeling for The Blues. His influence lives on.
CD (RELEASED SEPTEMBER 26)
01 Guess I’ll Go Away – Live (J. Winter)
02 Good Morning Little School Girl – Live (Bob Love / Don Level)
03 It’s My Own Fault – Live (McKinley Morganfield)
04 Highway 61 Revisited – Live (Bob Dylan)
05 Mean Town Blues – Live (Johnny Winter)
06 Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo – Live (R. Derringer)
07 Rollin’ and Tumblin’ – Live (McKinley Morganfield)
DOUBLE LP (RELEASED OCTOBER 31):
Side 1:
01 Guess I’ll Go Away
02 Good Morning Little School Girl
03 Highway 61 Revisited
Side 2:
01 It’s My Own Fault
Side 3:
01 Mean Town Blues
Side 4:
01 Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo
02 Rollin’ and Tumblin’
This is a little bit misleading, whereas this is actually a reissue that was originally released in 2010 as Johnny Winter And Live at the Fillmore East 10-3-70, but has been out of print & has gotten hard to find -Same album, just different/new cover -If you don’t already have it though, it’s a GREAT recording & addition to your musical library, esp. if you’re a Johnny Winter fan…
I was at that, my first concert at the ripe old age of 17. I was never the same guitarist afterwards. I was lucky enough to stumble on the previous CD you mentioned and bought one. It’s stored in a vault in Switzerland under armed guard…lol
Yes, at one time I actually found I thought it was Apple Music but it may have been on YouTube, but I found this concert with another 13 songs I believe and I don’t know why I can’t find it again. I thought I would’ve saved it. But this is one of the greatest guitar albums I’ve ever heard in my life.
The Fun Ghoul
At the age of 12 in 1969, I got the 3 sided Second Winter LP. He became my guitar hero. Saw him live in big and small events. Wore our Live And partying hard. He will always be a part of my life.
At 13 years old in 1969, a child of the Woodstock generation, I too heard the famous 3 sided album. Took up drums, made a band the next year and played at high school dances in Toronto Canada until I was 25. Then I stopped as real life took over. Two years ago I bought an electronic Yamaha drum set and started playing again. While I have most of my record collection from then, I also got everything in digital format. I am mostly a blues player (the British and American Classics from the early seventies I am also a fan of the early rock fusion of the Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears and IF styles. Great to share this! Good times!
I have seen Johnny Winter live. They just don’t make them like that anymore. In my opinion, some of his best recordings came years later with Alligator records.
The Johnny Winter And Live album is one of my favorites. The recordings of “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Johnny B. Goode” are awesome. 😎
Agree 100%. Such an awesome album! Both Johnny & Rick totally rock out on this!
I love that album. I have their version of Jumpin Jack flash on my mp3 player.
Saw Johnny winter and in ny i believe 1972 best concert ever .After that would go to Edgar winters concert 3 times hoping Johnny would show Rick showed and played tobacco road but no Johnny
I grew up in Port Arthur, TX, near Johnny’s hometown of Beaumont. He and brother, Edgar sometimes appeared on local TV as kids, singing country music. Johnny played guitar locally as a teen and became well-known across Texas and Louisiana. I actually met and talked him at one of his gigs. Such a talent.
Why he is not in the RRHO is a crime against rock and roll
I saw Johnny Winter back in 72 at winterland in San Francisco one of the best shows ever Johnny was one of the best blues guitars ever.
Same album cover as “Live Johnny Winter And” which, if I recall correctly, was partially recorded at a show I attended in Dania, Florida, Pirates World Amusement Park.
There is nothing “unheard” about this release, unless you have not heard the 2010 release of this same cd, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_at_the_Fillmore_East_10/3/70#