Johnny Winter-Johnny Winter And (1970)

Johnny Winter joined the select group of white musicians who were developing a new vein of electric blues. By then, Al Kooper, John Mayall, and Mike Bloomfield, among others, had already transcended the limited conception of the blues as racially exclusive music and were popularizing it among white audiences. Johnny Winter's first album, self-titled "Johnny Winter", was recorded in Nashville in 1969. His brother Edgar supported him, as did some legendary bluesmen like Willie Dixon and Sharkey Horton. A year later, "Second Winter", a double album that curiously only had three sides recorded, was released. Here, in addition to the blues, Winter demonstrates his affinity for all the popular music of the time, performing rock 'n' roll songs by Chuck Berry and Little Richard, and delivering a personal and superb version of Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited". In 1971, "Johnny Winter And", his best work, appeared, featuring rapid and visceral forays into the repertoire of other musicians such as "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones and "No Time To Live" by Traffic. This first recording period culminated in the live album "Johnny Winter and Live" (1971), recorded at the Fillmore East in New York. However, this live album was released after Winter had already retreated to rural areas for a detox program following the excesses of drug abuse that, incidentally, had led him in such a short time to become a legend of blues guitar. Two years would pass before he released any new material, and in 1973, with the help of his friend, guitarist Rick Derringer, he made a triumphant return with the album "Still Alive and Well". This album contained exceptional tracks such as the blistering "Rock 'n' Roll" and "Silver Train", composed by the Jagger-Richards duo, as well as a cover of the legendary "Let It Bleed". This comeback album for the albino guitarist climbed the charts and won back the hearts of his fans. From then on, Johnny Winter's artistic output remained high despite the rise of new musicians and styles. Winter is an admirable performer who, although his style might seem repetitive, always managed to surprise everyone.