Customer Reviews

I'm a Bluesman

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought this and the re-issue of his first album at roughly the same time. There can be no doubt that he's lost a step or two. As it's already been said, age and illness will do that to anyone. That doesn't mean that this lion in winter still can't muster a roar. A diminished Johnny Winter is still better than seventy five percent of what passes for blues. The guitar playing is now more precise rather than screaming by you at mach two. The vocals don't growl at you like they used to but are very smooth and acceptable. The song selection is generally strong if you leave off "The Monkey Song". Particular favorites of mine include "Lone Wolf", the lone acoustic number "That Wouldn't Satisfy" and "Sugar Coated Love". Don't obsess over the fact Johnny isn't the same as he was thirty years ago, buy the album and be thankful that we still have him around.

Long before Stevie Ray Vaughn there was Johnny Winter. Johnny Winter's brand of raw Texas blues set the standard for blues players in the seventies and in my opinion he's still one of the best. Throughout the years he's had his ups and downs, but thankfully the man still continues to record and perform. This latest cd "I'm A Bluesman", while not as hard hitting as his classic albums "Progressive Blues Experiment", the self titled "Johnny Winter", "Second Winter" and "Still Alive And Well", it shows Johnny in fine form. His playing is still relatively strong although I felt his playing suffered slightly on a few songs ("Sweet Little Baby" as an example). His slide guitar playing is what I enjoyed the most about "I'm A Bluesman", but overall I found this release more laid back when compared to other albums. There are some excellent songs here such as the self titled "I'm A Bluesman", "I Smell Smoke", "Lone Wolf", So Much Love" and "Sweet Little Baby". If you enjoy listening to the blues then this cd will not disappoint!

I am a huge Johnny Winter fan, first and foremost. I knew going in this CD might have some missing qualities, due to what he's gone through the past couple of years.

Consider a palsy that paralyzed his right hand, hip replacement surgery and heaven knows what else, the fact that Winter is alive and still making music is a wonder.

The blazing speed of past recordings is not the same, but it's soulful, gutsy blues guitar...just what I wanted.

Vocally, Winter reminds me of aging blues singers who still had the soul and skill, but it had changed. Winter almost sounds like he had a mild stroke, as his voice doesn't sound as articulate as it once was.

But the band is good, and one thing is for sure--Winter pours everything into it.

First off, I do not own this CD. I do own all of Johnny's original releases (no collections) and I have listened to the Amazon sampler of this CD. I most likely will buy it at some point. If you are looking for Johnny in prime form buy; Johnny Winter, Progressive Blues Experiment, Second Winter (Legacy Edition), Serious Business, Third Degree, Let Me In and Hey Where's Your Brother.

Now, to the point. If you have the chance to see Johnny on his current tour, GO!!! I saw Johnny last night at the Granada Theater in Dallas, TX. The last time I saw Johnny was 30 years ago when he had Floyd Radford along for the ride. Johnny played more quality blues guitar last night then he did when I saw him in his rock n' roll hay day. Sure, there were no nine minute "It's My Own Fault" solos and what he did play and sing was visually an effort for him, but it was excellent. He was enjoying himself and his voice was in good form, much better than this CD would have you think. Johnny played several cuts off this CD as well as a couple of Muddy Waters and Freddie King tunes and closed with "Johnny Guitar" all played on his Laser. The encore was out of this world! The curtain openned up and Johnny was sitting their with his Firebird and that all too familiar shiny steel tube on his finger! He played, "Mojo Boogy", "She Likes To Boogy Real Low" and closed with, "HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED", the crowd went nuts!!!

Johnny at 60 plus, STILL plays the blues better than most ever did at any point in their career. Do not miss Johnny if you get the chance.

Buy this CD, all of Johnny's orginal work is worth every penny.

Well, he is mostly a "blues rock-man" on this album, 60 year old John Dawson Winter III.

This is Winter's first new material in over seven years, a pleasant but not particularly varied set of mid-tempo blues rockers (and one acoustic country blues tune, Harding "Hop" Wilson's "That Wouldn't Satisfy"). His cover of Lazy Lester's "Sugar Coated Love" is really good, and other highlights include a pretty tough "Cheatin' Blues", the aforementioned "That Wouldn't Satisfy", a soulful "I Smell Smoke", and the gritty "Let's Start All Over Again", which features a nice harmonica solo by James Montgomery.
Johnny Winter's voice is a little bit worn, but his guitar playing is tasteful and as accomplished as ever, even if he has slowed down just a bit. I don't mind, though; I prefer a slow burner to a hysterical display of guitar pyrotechnics, and there are a number of really great solos here.

But it's a shame that there aren't a few more really good songs. Not that any of these 13 songs are bad, far from it, but too many of them lack the hooks, riffs, lyrics, whatever, to make you remember them, and too many of them simply sound the same. There are a few standout songs, but not enough of them, and while "I'm A Bluesman" offers a pleasant listen, it is not one that will lodge itself in your brain and refuse to be forgotten like some of Johnny Winter's best albums do. Devotees will still want a listen, though, and while "I'm A Bluesman" may not win Johnny Winter too many new fans, it certainly won't scare anybody away either.

I've been listening to Johnny for over thirty years, saw him in concert many many times . He is nowhere as fast but neither am I. The thing I like best is the reach to his past style of fun gutsy blues rock. In addition he lays down some real good hard blues tunes and sometimes more than ever you can really hear it in his voice."Monkey "just reminds us all of Sweet Papa & "Women Lovin each other". Just a little bad. When I first listened I wasn't sure ,after about twenty trips round the vinyl er... cd I'm convinced I want to see him play that sweet guitar one more time.Thanks Johnny

I just saw Johnny Winter, in concert TONIGHT (1/11/2007) on his first date of his 2007 tour and this man shreaded. He had his legendary chops and his legendary "Johnny growl." I've loved Johnny Winter since the early 70's and I am sad to say that I had almost forgotten about this blues master. I've been playing guitar, full-time professionally for thirty years and after seeing Johnny play tonight I don't feel like ever picking my guitar up again. Yes, I was a little worried when I saw his band walk him out and help him sit down to play. But, once he put his fingers on the strings he was the same Johnny Winter I had always known and loved. Age has taken its toll on his body, but his fingers were lightening fast his lick blisteringly tasteful and when they brought out his legendary Gibson Firebird and pinky slide he WAS in his prime. The man is a master and untouchable as a blues guitarists. Seeing Johnny tonight made Stevie Ray Vaughn (God rest his soul, and he would probably agree with me if he saw Johnny tonight) still in his adolescent days of working towards blues master. Johnny Winter rocked Virginia Beach tonight and defied everything you saw in his diminished physical state. No one can touch Johnny Winter today as a blistering blues guitarist, he was the total master of guitar tonight and created an energy that I've never seen matched by another blues guitarist with the stamina that Johnny possessed tonight.
David Carter - Virginia Beach, VA

I just want to comment on the review saying that Johnny winter has never been an even average vocalist. This is totaly wrong. I have studied both song and guitarplaying for many years and I want you who don't think that Johnny can sing, to for example listen to I'll drown in my tears. I can't honestly think of any artist who could sing the way he does on that song. It's absolutely fantastic.

Muddy Waters once said that Johnny Winter was the only white man he ever met who understood the blues. There is something about JW's style that I like. It's the rural and southern type of blues I have always preferred. Unfortunately, his voice is not as strong as it was. As a result, he is slightly flat sometimes. But the arrangements are great and his guitar playing is still solid, albeit slower. Johnny Winter uses a thumbpick and finger pick rather than a flatpick to get a fuller country picking effect. My favorite songs are "I'm A Blues Man", "The Monkey Song", and "Let's Start All Over Again." I know he's getting old but let's not forget that Johnny played for Muddy Waters when he couldn't play as well anymore and Debbie Davies played lead for Albert Collins in his later years. The man still has great taste in music and I'm glad he's around.

It's been a long wait but Johnny's new disc is finally out, 13 new tracks - 52 minutes long. It was worth the wait, most of the tracks are up-tempo and really not a bad cut on the whole disc. I've only listened to it a few times but so far "I Smell Smoke" and "Let's Start All Over Again" are standouts along with an acoustic National Steel version of "That Wouldn't Satisfy". Johnny is 60 years old now and his voice has lost it's snarl and growl that we are all used to, but hey, things change. Johnny's guitar playing on this disc is still topnotch -maybe he's not playing lightning fast riffs like he used to but his tone is still there and that is unmatched by anyone. Get yours today, you won't be dissapointed.