Customer Reviews

Nothin' But The Blues

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Johnny Winter recorded this during his stint as producer and sideman for Muddy Waters through the four brilliant albums recorded for Blue Sky (late 70's and early 80's). Muddy's terrific band of the time accompanies Johnny throughout. Their influence is profound, keeping Winter grounded and unusually restrained avoiding overplaying entirely. This is his finest blues work. Muddy sings a duet with Johnny in an energetic version of Walkin' Through the Park. A classic along with the previously mentioned four Muddy Blue Sky recordings. Highly recommended...Simon

This album came out in 1977, the same year as Muddy Waters' excellent comeback-album "Hard Again", which Johnny Winter produced and played on. And here on "Nothin' But The Blues", Winter fronts the mighty Muddy Waters band, leading them through a well-arranged set of his own compositions, and a powerful rendition of Muddy's "Walkin' Thru The Park".

Johnny Winter handles the lead vocals himself (except on "Walkin' Thru The Park"), and his throaty vocals suit these purposely traditional blues compositions pretty well.
Winter plays guitar as well, of course, and a little bit of bass and drums, and his acoustic steel guitar playing is particularly delightful.
Highlights include the acoustic slide guitar workout "TV Mama" (not the Big Joe Turner song) is sublime, as is the swaggering, harp-driven "Tired Of Tryin'", the thumping, groovy "Bladie May", and the fine "Sweet Love And Evil Women", a showcase for "Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin, whose shimmering lead guitar lines wind their way all around Winter's gruff, throaty vocals. There are a couple of forgettable numbers here which keep "Nothin' But The Blues" from getting a top rating, but most of these nine tracks are among the finest blues tunes Winter has ever recorded.

Johnny Winter fans seem to be somewhat divided...some prefer his bluesier albums, while others go for his (*cough*genericandpredictable*cough*) rock n' roll records. This is definitely one for the blues crowd.

I like to put this album in the CD player and improv/jam away with it.

Some songs like TV Mama which is a Slide+Steel guitar tune gives you a litlle break. You'll need it for 'Walking Thru The Park' with Muddy Waters.

The album is lively and has certain Bluesman sense of humour that's very characteristic to Johnny Winter.

Anyone that likes a more Power Blues, Johnny Winter and/or Slide blues can not be disappointed with this album.

Yeah, Johnny must've been drinking heavily during this recording. It's evident in his slurred lyrics...It's Raining is the song where he sounds totally wasted, although you can get the sense that he is infact quite happy and very relaxed. BUT all this inebriation actually adds to the authenticity of this c.d.---- Johnny Winter really becomes the archetypal BLUESMAN on this c.d. His guitar work is quite sparse, no long solos on this one but, nevertheless, the feel on this album is wonderful. I have to say this also..Johnny must've been VERY, VERY brave to release this album back in 1977. That was a very bad year for the blues, appalling infact...disco music was king. Alot of bluesmen, like Johnny Guitar Watson etc were opting for the commercialism of the disco dance floor. Johnny might've thought of releasing a commercial type rock album , like Edgar was doing. Instead he chose to stay faithful to the blues and I have to admire the determination and resolve of Johnny Winter. Very few would've stayed faithful to the blues.
The last track with Muddy Waters ..Walking Thru The Park...captures Johnny in his element. He was SO happy back then and it filters over into the song itself. I remember seeing them both do this song live at the Capitol Radio Festival, Alexander Palace, London/England in July 1977. Never again to be repeated, sadly!

"Nothin But The Blues" will eventually be recognized as a masterpiece of blues guitar work...Johnny Winter is virtually unknown for reasons that mystify me.."everybody's blues" is a spine tingling tune that will take you on an emotional roller-coaster...buy this cd and decide for yourself...it'll knock your socks off...mark montgomery magicmusic.org 8/3/99 manhattan

Johnny Winter shines on this album.He is in fine voice as well as incredible musicianship. Nobody screams as well as Johnny.He also plays National Steel acoustic on two songs.What a slide player!!! He duets with Muddy Waters on Walkin' thru the Park.For me, Everybody's Blues is the killer on this one.He'll tear you heart out with his finesse and feeling on this one. I believe he even plays drums on this. An added treat is James Cotton on harp. Him and Johnny are priceless when they trade licks. What more can I say?It's a truly classic full of feelin' blues album.

"Nothin' But The Blues" is nothin' but one of the best electric blues albums ever made. If this disc don't get you up on your feet, you're already dead.

This is my all time favorite Johnny Winter recording and my favorite blues recording.His raunchy voice and rockin' guitar licks make this a five star sound for sure.

I taped this album off of the radio when it first came out, and it has stayed one of my favorites ever since. This is terrific blues/rock.

The cd came perfectly came to me, no damages and very soon, considering the distance between my home and the USA!
This cd is a very nice and inspirated piece of the most pure texas blues.
If you like electric blues, you must have it.