Customer Reviews

Second Winter: Legacy Edition (Bonus CD)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here is my review for the single CD written for Amazon:
This work is some of the most progressive sounds ever released by "The Winter Brothers". When it was first released on Vinyl LP it was a three sided album (side four was blank) THE ONLY 3 SIDED ALBUM RELEASED BY ANYONE EVER. The producer had too much music for a single album, but not enough to fill four sides. While trying to decide which songs to drop (to fit on to one LP), they just said, "there is nothing that NEEDS to be dropped as each song was outstanding". The band was gone from the studio so they couldn't get any more tracks. Ultimately it was decided, release every tune recorded and leave side four blank. I owned the original LP set and I'm glad that they used all of the material. The result was in my opinion, the very best collaboration ever released by Johnny and Edgar together. You will not be disappointed!!

Now about this Legacy addition:

You'll get all of the above on disc one here (see above). On this editions disc two...Break out Johnny, Edgar and Johnny's fabled band with Tommy Shannon and Papa John Turner. This is the tape from Royal Albert Hall recorded LIVE in April 1970. The Brother kick (...) together on vocals and there is the first EVER recording of Edgar's hit Frankenstein. Not surprising to anyone who knows me, but this (IMHO) is the best version. It includes a long drum solo, Johnny's hot guitar licks and Edgar plays the STANDARD keyboards. For me this is closer to what Edgar's Entrance CD and White Trash sounds...all and all BETTER! Edgar also reprises a great version of his hit, Tobacco Road.

This offering is now my favorite Johnny & Edgar's best ever together. Though this is a bit pricey, I wouldn't sell my copy for a (...)! Buy it, play it...and I promise if you are a Winter fan....you'll love it too!!!!!

I purchased this set mainly for the second disc, The Royal Albert Hall Show. I tell you, I'd pay the full price for disc two alone, it is that tremendous. The original album is one of Winter's best, already 35 years old! It contains a great blend of rock 'n' roll & blues music as well as some of the baddest playing Johnny has ever laid down on vinyl (okay tape).
This is by far the best sounding version of these recordings to date.
For newcomers, this is a great purchase because you get Johnny in the studio and live. Don't let the price inhibit you on this purchase. You can't take it ($$$$) with you. Once you cue up track one you'll consider it money very well spent, I guarantee!

Johnny's excellent follow up to "Johnny Winter". Less blues oriented than his first release and more for those fans that want "Rock" music. The Live CD is fantastic and showcases an evolving band that includes Edgar (Johnny rarely appeared live as anything more than a trio after 1975). The sound quality on this rare performance is excellent. A must have for JDW fans and anyone who wants an intro to this gifted performer.

This album is the greatest re-release ever in the history of rock--period! Not only is the studio (original) portion of Second Winter an absolute gem, the live recording newly added here is even better! This package goes right alongside the Allman Brothers Fillmore East recordings as the greatest blues-driven rock guitar music out there--long overdue! Johnny will blow you away with his smoking guitar chops and soulful singing. And when he starts the intro guitar solo to B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault", you would swear you were listening to B.B. himself! The rapid-fire licks he throws off during "Mama, Talk To Your Daughter" are wicked.

A young Edgar Winter joins him onstage for the last half of the concert to show off his own prowess on keyboards, sax, drums, and vocals. Also a talented guy, no doubt. Sometimes his screechy falsetto gets a little old--that's my only gripe on this whole package. But's it's not enough of a blemish to take away from this being the most indispensable release of the past few years!

If you've seen Johnny Winter recently in concert, you know as well as I that he's past his prime, bless him. Well, Second Winter is his prime, for sure, so if you're not too familiar with early recordings of Johnny, you are sorely missing out. Miss out no more, and get this CD package!!!

I'm new to Johnny Winter. I recently purchased his remastered debut. This second release is amazing. The guitar playing is mind blowing and I absolutely love Mr. Winter's vocals. I believe his version of "Johnny B. Goode" is best I've ever heard. If that wasn't enough the bonus disc featuring a concert from Royal Albert Hall recorded in 1970 that is the icing on the cake and then some. Hearing this different version of "Frankenstein" was great especially that drum solo. This concert could've been released separately and would have stood out on it's own and possibly may have been a classic live album. Nonetheless, it is a great bonus disc. I strongly recommend this release to anyone who love blues and/or rock.

This is Johnny on top of his game. An innovative 3-sided lp becomes a brilliant cd. Progressive blues at its finest, 'Second Winter' sits right alongside 'Electric Ladyland', 'Led Zeppelin' & 'Wheels of Fire' as the finest blues-rock ever created. A Desert Island Disc fer sure!

The two additional studio cuts are excellent (one is a Ray Charles tune) and the 1970 Royal Albert Hall concert is a treasure. Saw this band many times back in the day, and this is truly representative of what they were. Tommy Shannon (SRV) played bass, Uncle John Turner drums, and Edgar played everything else. How they held this back for all these years is beyond me. Blues playing doesn't get any better than this.

When you think Texas Blues, think SRV, and think Johnny Winter! The second disc of this set, is worth the price of the entire set! Second Winter has long stood out as a great album. But the addition of the bonus tracks makes this a must-have have for anyone who appreciates a blazing electric blues guitar!

can be found on this classic album by Johnny Winter. Please listen to the solo that Johnny launches into in the middle of "Miss Ann" and you will agree. Guitar playing does not get any better than this.

Having been around long enough to remember when Second Winter first came out on vinyl (yes, the famous 3-sided LP), and then buying it again and again in various "new" music formats as they came along - cassette, 8-track, CD, and finally, this two-disc set, I can without question say that Second Winter is a rock blues masterpiece that deserves a place right alongside B.B. King's "Live at the Regal" in the Best Blues Albums of All-Time Hall of Fame. This is the master at his very best. Buy this CD and then buy it again and give the second Second Winter to a friend.

November 4, 2004
Artist: Johnny Winter
Album: Second Winter (Deluxe Edition)
Rating: Great

First things first, I love Johnny Winter. For me there's nothing like a well played guitar and few have the catalogue of licks that Johnny Winter seems to be able to throw down endlessly.

This album, Second Winter, was originally released back in 1969 when "rock" music's golden age was peaking. Winter's band, which included brother Edgar and bass player Tommy Shannon (who would later back Stevie Ray Vaughan as a member of Double Trouble) had just played Woodstock before recording this album. With his anointed status as one of rock's upcoming superstar Winter had recently signed on as music's largest solo contract artist with Columbia Records for more than a million dollars: which in 1969 was still a lot of money. So the band was hot and the world was listening.

Record companies mining the vaults for product is nothing new. Historically few labels have done it well. One of a couple of exceptions is Sony (CBS, Columbia, Epic, Okeh). Using the original recorded album, the label restore's the original album artwork and then remixes and remasters, adds in additional tracks and then, dig this, give you ANOTHER disc of new music. So the packaging is excellent and you get some really great tunes. Now that's smart marketing!

The second disc in this package is a nine track live concert from the Royal Albert Hall in 1970 and includes the most excellent SLOW electric blues track, "It's My Own Fault." While Winter may have been young he exhibits a litany of finesse and taste with his twelve minute cover this B. B. King track. The second disc also features the debut of brother Edgar's instrumental track, `Frankenstein' (which would become a hit five years later).

The original album includes two additional studio tracks; `Early in the Morning' and `Tell the Truth.' Already known as one of the great blues albums, the newly reissued Second Winter is a MUST OWN disc for any true fan of the electric blues. It's only a minor leap to suggest that without this record and the success it brought to Winter there would never have been a scene to incubate a Lil' Stevie Vaughan.

Awesome follow-up to Johnny Winter. As amazing and great as the previous album is, I have to give Second Winter the edge with regard to preference. This two-disc "Legacy Edition" is broken into two parts-
Disc One- The original LP + 2 bonus tracks
Disc Two- The legendary previously unreleased Live At The Royal Albert Hall concert recorded on April 17th, 1970.

The sterling remastering on disc one and the treasure that is disc two make this a must-own for anyone interested in late 1960's blues or hard rock.