Legendary Texas blues guitarist Johnny Winter took the stage recently to a loud revelry of respect, then quietly and calmly drove home some amazing licks that only proved how he has become an idol to just about every musician who has ever plucked some strings on an old guitar since 1969 when he released his first album. He is older and quieter now, sitting on a stage with a humble spotlight, not saying much except with his fingers as they glided effortlessly through classics known to blues aficionados the world over.
With eyes closed, he locked and loaded into the Freddie King rebel rouser “Hideaway”. Amongst yells of “How you doing, Johnny?” and “You’re the greatest”, Winter was in his own world; one that not many of us normal folks get to ever be a part of. He hears things in his soul that we can never touch. He bleeds them out in a mesmerizing apocalypse of notes that float around us like a warm blanket. Eventually we will start sweating and finally succumb to the music by standing in unison and cheering.
There were some truly outstanding numbers in Winter’s arsenal. From the sultry red hot “Blackjack” to the locomotive racing of “Don’t Take Advantage” to the finale of a slide rapturing “Highway 61”. “Red House” felt like it was burning up your soul while “Mojo Boogie” stomped what was left into the gritty fevered swampland. It was simply amazing.
With a wonderful backing band of Paul Nelson on guitar, Scott Spray on bass, and Vito Liuzzi on drums, all Winter had to do was play his heart out. And that he did, mostly on a black unique-looking Lazer guitar. For the encore, he brought out the slide on a beautiful Gibson, which came absolutely alive with his gentle touch.
Incorporating such gems as “Johnny B. Goode”, “Lone Wolf”, “Tore Down” and “Bony Maronie” into his set, there was no doubting that this man from around Beaumont, Texas, not only still had it, but knew what to do with it.
