Customer Reviews

Progressive Blues Experiment

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Any guitar/blues fan will appreciate this Progressive Blues Experiment remastered for the very first time. Johnny Winter's riffs are raw and dirty on this masterpiece. Tommy Shannon (former member of SRV and double trouble) lays down the bass, while Red Turner lays down the beat. From the very opening song Rollin' and Tumblin' to the very last notes of Forty-Four Johnny Winter shows his pure talent as a blues guitarist. This was the first album that brought Johnny Winter recognition as a guitarist in america. This is a true classic that is HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!

From the opening riffs of "Rollin' and Tumblin'" you know right away that this is a blues album you want to keep. Johnny Winter made his name primarily with blues rock, with his name getting wide recognition through his Columbia releases. But this album is a quintessential title for any blues collection. It gets dirtier with the second song, "Tribute to Muddy," and Johnny Winter would go on to have a few collaborations with Muddy Waters. One of my favorite cuts is "Mean Town Blues," which appears elsewhere on his Woodstock appearance (and not a really good example either) and a few other albums, although his other recorded live performances of this song didn't capture the rawness of the title from this album. And that is what makes this album such a classic; it's rawness, the dirty sound, like it's all one take and there it is, take it or leave it. But after listening to it, you won't want to leave it.

I'm just now delving more in to the blues and this is an excellent cd. Great guitar, bass, throaty singing, blues personified. Excellent remastered sound as well. Get it.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

You've heard the story before. An artist makes it big and there is a mad scramble to find anything prior to their rise to fame. Often the product may be interesting but isn't at the level the consumer demands. "The Progressive Blues Experiment" is not the typical archival find. Over the years there have been at least ten different labels that have had the rights to this because of the music and not only the name.

Originally recorded in 1967 the ten tracks are a tremendous treat as we travel down a Winter road. Any doubts of the validity of this release are erased the second Muddy Water's "Rollin' & Tumblin" booms from the speakers. The version is one of the finest covers of the tune. The guitar is a sonic blast of energy played with exquisite taste. Johnny penned the next song "Tribute To Muddy." The blues shred anything in its path. A perfect follow up to the opening number. "Bad Luck & Trouble" has Winter's guitar crying the blues. If you don't sincerely pay homage the blues will spit you out like yesterday's supper. Johnny with six string in his hand seems to relish the role. The Dixon/Williamson tune "Help Me" comes at you with volcanic ashes. Nothing is left standing. Chester Burnett's "Forty-Four" is a perfect close to the festivities. Winter plays a classic blues/rock riff with gusto. The power of the band (Remember it was guitar ,bass, and drums) will leave you shell shocked.

Although even the remastered versions don't increase the ten tracks, the original configuration is all you need to appreciate a blues legend. While Johnny's music is normally thought of as part of the Columbia Records catalog, there once was a label called Imperial. You know the story, now enjoy the blues!


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Hadn't heard this for many years until recently.
Wow!! What an awesome bluesman JW was and is. If you have liked ANY of his stuff, get this (and the recently released Super Session "Lost" album in which he and Mike Bloomfield reach heights very few dream of.
Winter is as great as Stevie Ray, Clapton, or any of the second generation blues guitarists.
God Bless him!

Before Winter's early Columbia records brought him fame and fortune, this modest little album came out on Imperial.
The title, "The Progressive Blues Experiment", sounds a little ominous, but there is absolutely nothing "progressive" about this record; Johnny Winter, bassist Tommy Shannon, and drummer John "Red" Turner tear through ten genuine blues tunes without applying so much as a smear of rock commercialism.

The trio lay down a furious "Rollin' And Tumblin'" and an aggressive take on "Mean Town Blues", and if I am to complain a little, Winter's take on "Rollin' And Tumblin'" in particular is parhaps a little bit too furious, sacrificing groove for high-octane propulsion.

But most of what is here is excellent. I'm particularly fond of the two acoustic numbers, "Broke Down Engine" and "Bad Luck And Trouble", genuine Delta blues which feature Winter's National steel guitar, and also see him playing harp and mandolin.
But there is something here for everyone, and Johnny Winter's renditions of B.B. King's slow blues "It's My Own Fault", and Howlin' Wolf's ominous "Forty-Four" are among his best blues covers. His playing is excellent and varied all the way through, and the lean arrangements are virtually perfect.

A very good early effort, and one of Winter's best blues records (right up there with "Nothin' But The Blues", "Johnny Winter", and the phenomenal "White, Hot & Blue").
Definitely recommended.

Very very good CD some of the best that Johnny Winter has done the guitar work is outstanding with traces of Elmore James and Robert Johnson. I highly recomend this cd to anyone that enjoys the blues.

This is an awesome album. It is probably the rawest thing Johnny ever recorded.

I happen to have the original release vinyl in my collection, under Imperial Records, and the album cover is a gas.

The back of the album contains the song credits, along with several pictures of Johnny in an unfortunate purple cape and the following: "Winter is hard and heavy in his hypnotic blues bag. Before the recording session, there was Johnny Winter and his guitar. During the session, Johnny became the guitar."

Ahh the 60's!

Great record, a must for any blues/rock lover. Johnny bridges the gap between blues and 70's rock and roll. My favorites are Tribute to Muddy (the best on the LP), Help Me, Got love if You Want it, and Fourty Four. Special mention to Mean Town Blues, which he nails.

Not the best recording quality, but I can just see JW tearing into his Fender XII with the six string set up.

Great album!

when i first heard this album i was like you have to be kidding me my ears were full of joy i was on cloud nine the guitar playing is so subpurb on this album. johnny winter also is a blues legend with all the other greats he tears up the blues. he can do anything when it comes to the blues and his playing is so clean and crisp too my ears i listen to this cd very loud it deserves to be played loud it sounds that good. this cd is five stars and anybody that doesnt have this cd is missing out and your collection of the blues aint complete this is the blues and wont be disappointed any blues purist should have this please dont pass it up. HES A LEGEND this is my favorite johnny winter album also his self-titled album is five stars dont pass them up actually all johnny winter albums are great to my ears but dont pass up his first 2 albums its the blues at his greatest johnny winter tears up tribute to muddy the bass by tommy shannon is awesome and the solo on that song makes the hair stand on the back of my neck