About Time

Steve Winwood | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 17, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wincraft Music
• ASIN: B00009MGUA
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,271 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Different Light

2. Cigano (For The Gypsies)

3. Final Hour

4. Why Can’t We Live Together?

5. Domingo Morning

6. Now That You’re Alive

7. Bully

8. Phoenix Rising

9. Horizon

10. Walking On

11. Silvia (Who Is She?)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Marking his 40th anniversary in the music business, veteran Steve Winwood returns from the six-year hiatus he undertook after 1997's disappointing Junction Seven with this debut release for his own Wincraft Music label. If it foregoes the slick chart fodder that elevated Winwood's career expectations to somewhere just south of the stratosphere for much of the '80s, it also returns him to the warm, more band-oriented musical setting he thrived in from his days as the Spencer Davis Group's teen wunderkind and subsequent rewarding stints in Blind Faith and Traffic. More concerned with human connections, texture, and potent rhythmic contexts than pop hooks, Winwood evokes much of the latter band's jazz and funk sensibilities to good effect, often working with a diverse group of songwriting collaborators to wrap his distinctive blue-eyed soul in the sort of rich Latin and Caribbean influences familiar to fans of Santana. Veteran jazz guitarist and current Winwood bandmate/songwriting collaborator Jose Neto lights an evocative gypsy fire beneath "Cigano," "Domingo Morning," and the slow-burning "Silvia," while previous Winwood sideman Anthony Crawford shares songwriting credits on the Marvin Gaye grooves of "Final Hour" and the ebullient "Walking On." Brit popster William Topley stirs his Stax-meets-Jamaican seasoning into Winwood's B-3-powered stew on "Phoenix Rising" while Winwood's wife Eugenia shares writing duties on "Now That You're Alive, "Bully," and the beautiful, wistful "Horizon." --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Steve Winwood, one of the most respected & innovative talents in the music world, marks his 40th anniversary making music with the launch of his record label Wincraft Music, a tour of the United States & a CD, About Time. Known for his work with Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith & as a solo artist, Winwood set out to craft a fresh, contemporary album that would combine rock 'n' roll & world music. Winwood centers the album's sound around the Hammond B-3 organ. Working closely with guitarist Jose Neto (Airto Moreira & Flora Purim) & drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Santana, Traffic), About Time marks the first time in 27 years that Winwood recorded live without the use of multiple tracks or recording loops. 2003.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Damn....this is a GREAT one., June 24, 2004

By 

Glenn Fink (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: About Time (Audio CD)

I have heard most of Steve Winwood's solo albums, along with all the Traffic/Blind Faith output and some of the Spencer Davis Group. I'm a keyboardist and I've always felt Steve Winwood counted as a legendary figure in rock music for very good reason. When he's on, he is ON - music that is just among the best in rock. He is one of my all time favorite and most influential musicians for that reason.
I was at Bonnaroo a few weeks ago and Steve was last-minute booked to fill an injured Willie Nelson's slot. I stood in torrential rain through a 2 hour delay to the start of his set. When he finally came out, he played a set that was without a doubt my favorite of the entire 3 day weekend. I figured it would be good but I didn't know it would be THAT good - it sounded excellent, loose, Traffic-like, and featured a few tracks from this album along with old Traffic and Blind Faith material, all performed mind-blowingly well. He had a Hammond/Leslie, no bass except via the Hammond, and had a killer horn player, guitarist, drummer and percussionist, all of whom I believe are featured on this album.
As soon as I was home I made it a priority to get this album. I am not disappointed. Anyone with a love for Traffic should pick this up as it has that strong Traffic, jamming loose but tight vibe. And it's always great when that Leslie spins up in stereo washing that Hammond across the mix. Some really great songs on here, including "Distant Light," "Cigano," ?Why Can't We Live Together," the subdued "Horizons", and Sylvia (Who Is She?)." There are few signs of the 1980's Steve Winwood here. This is my favorite Winwood album, and is an extremely worthy addition to Steve's catalogue. Make sure to get a copy that includes the live bonus disc where Steve tears up Dear Mr. Fantasy on guitar, which is another stellar highlight.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars rock music legend's welcome return, January 15, 2004

By 

Mark West (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: About Time (Audio CD)

Many years ago, Steve Winwood seemed to revolve in a kind of extra-terrestrial ether, inhabited by a handful of the era's luminaries: Hendrix, Clapton, etc. Indeed, many of us who saw him live during that period felt that, when that amazing voice soared out over the PA, it did seem as if he had been beamed down from another planet. For a worthy live sample from that time, give a listen to side 2 of Traffic's "Last Exit"( 1969), mainly a compilation of outtakes from the group's second album, simply titled , "Traffic." Last Exit was released upon the group's first breakup and Winwood's foray into the rock celebrity of "Blind Faith." The recording quality is abysmal on both B side live selections (recorded at San Francisco's Fillmore West), nonetheless, you can get a sense of the outsized gifts and musical maturity, in which, with but two stage mates-Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi (sax/flute and drums, respectively) providing a simple accompaniment, the Winwood juggernaut takes flight. The organ playing is inspired and the incredibly soulful vocal- full of emotional power- undoubtedly raised the roof off the old Fillmore Auditorium. It's an individual tour de force.

Speaking of Traffic, which one can't help but recall in listening to " About Time," it is a source of wonder to consider that at the time the group recorded their "Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys" album (1971), which stands up so well today- even at 30+ years- Winwood, whose career by that time included, among other adventures, The Spencer David Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith, was all of 23 years old. Indeed, Hendrix, according to Jimi's sidemen of the time, longed for a Hendrix/Winwood band, but was uncomfortable making the overture. A sample indicator of such a union can be heard on Hendrix's recorded high watermark-"Electric Ladyland" (1968)- within which the pair of rock heavyweights serve up the remarkable "Voodoo Chile." Reportedly, that number was recorded in one take. Winwood was 19 or 20 years old at the time.

The voice may not rattle the rafters as it once did, but it is remarkable how much of it remains, evidenced by this new recording. Its soulfully earnest quality still grips you. Perhaps what is most surprising in "About Time," is that there is actually a musical dialog going on- reminding the listener of the rarity of that circumstance in the sterile, calculated rock music environment of today. In the case of Winwood, one may have to go back to Traffic to hear this kind of recorded musical rapport. There was a magical alchemy in the old Traffic, and the affinity within that group is as clear to the listener today as it was back then- perhaps more so. This new disc is sans tape loops and other such studio devices. The result is a live treat and upon giving it a spin you may feel like you're chez Winwood, in Gloucestershire, where it was recorded. Several tracks are augmented by able sidemen, variously adding sax, flute and congas, the effect further evoking Winwood's earlier work. But this is not an exercise in nostalgia. It's an inventive amalgam of musical forms on a firm rock foundation. All but one of the well wrought compositions are originals. The disc opens with the standout, "Different Light," with Winwood's signature style amply evident therein. There is much more pleasure to follow, likely imbuing this artist's legion of fans with the hope he won't wait years for a recorded encore.

The Latin-tinged musical symbiosis of About Time reminds you that a group of gifted players can deliver rock music well worth listening to. Principal accompaniment on the recording is by the wonderful Jose Neto (guitars) and drummer Walfredo Reyes, rounding out a first-class trio. You won't hear a bass guitar; as in much earlier days on stage, Winwood covers the bottom with the pedals of his mighty Hammond B-3. It all adds up to a dexterous demonstration of musical good taste.

Those keyed into the ersatz flavors of the month who occupy most slots on today's pop charts may not find a connection here; but for fans of something more genuine this CD may be revelatory. It's from the best all-around rock musician ever to spring from Britain's old sod.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About Time: many will agree, June 23, 2003

By 

Neil Black (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: About Time (Audio CD)

I would guess that loyal fans of Steve Winwood have long hoped he'd record an album like this one. It was not only recorded "live," but stripped down and entirely without studio gloss or artifice. I've no doubt this welcome effort confirms what fans of this prodigiously talented musician have always known: realities of the music business aside, he certainly never needed the aid of high production.

This CD showcases Winwood's unique intuitive gifts--in composition and musicianship, alongside that unmistakable hallmark vocal--still compelling after all these years. I believe this is the first time Winwood has played just a single instrument on a recording, other than guest artist session work. For "About Time," Winwood works the Hammond B-3, from which he coaxes beautiful, soulfully nuanced sounds on track after track. There is not a clunker in the bunch. Essentially, the band is a trio (a few tracks contain the addition of sax or flute), but owing to the talents of the group the sound is remarkably full and textured. It's a great showcase for Winwood. In particular, Jose Neto shines on various guitars. There is no bass guitar here; Winwood covers that ably with the organ pedals.

"About Time" melds several musical influences (R&B, World, Latin, Soul) into something that truly feels organic. The first impression was of something raw. Thereafter, the tastefully skilled musicianship reveals itself. There is a sense that Winwood had his heart in this one.

One track,"Sylvia," is I think, unnecessarily extended by a blazing (and un-Winwood) guitar solo by Neto. A small criticism of a real gem. Four and a half rounded up to five on my scale.