Search - Johnny Winter :: Johnny Winter and

Guess I'll Go Away

Michael McGee | Tasmania | 05/09/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Just spent an afternoon surfing Winter Websites, & I'm surprised that no-one mentions 'Guess I'll Go Away'; the opening track that for me led to an interest in Johnny for years to come. I Mean 'R&R Hootchie Koo' & all are fine, but as a 13 year old guitar freak, hearing that for the 1st time really opened my mind. (I don't just mean the 'flanging', I'm still not sure of the time signature in this) A shame he didn't do much more in this vein. This album & 'Still Alive & Well', still do it for me, and are among my all time faves, but non of them are free of 'filler'.."

Seek Out DCC Remaster!!!

J P Ryan | Waltham, Massachusetts United States | 10/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Johnny Winter was signed to Columbia Records in 1968 and for the next decade or so sold a lot of records, beat a harrowing addiction to Heroin, and helped ressurect Muddy Waters' post-Chess career producing the blues giant's superb, final three albums. Sony has remastered Winter's eponymous debut, and issued a 'deluxe' edition of 1969's "Second Winter" (also issued on gold disc by Mobile Fidelity). "...And", Winter's third release, from 1970, somehow has fallen through the cracks. Fans already know that after the McCoys ('Hang On Sloopy', among other hits) broke up

Winter hired the group - most importantly guitarist/producer Rick Derringer - to form And. This album is harder rocking, the blues sublimated within a Stones-like soundscape. And Winter's singing shows greater subtlety than previously. Also the material is very consistent. (A live album, "Johnny Winter And...Live!" from 1971 became Winter's biggest album to date, but to these ears it has dated a bit, relying too much on flash and bombast, despite some dazzling moments). Forget the European edition offered here, which dates from 1993 - the sound is drab and colorless. I'm writing this review to let others know that audiophile label DCC (best known for their exquisite gold discs, remastered by Steve Hoffman) for a brief time had a regular-priced line of silver CDs, and in this case Hoffman beautifully remastered "Johnny Winter And" for release around the turn of the century. Of course the graphics are reproduced exactly down to the last detail(DCC was always way more faithful to such details than DCC - even devoting two booklet pages to repros of the original vinyl LP's side one/two labels!), but the revelation is in the sound. If you have the BGO edition, or an old vinyl copy, this edition will blow you away with its attention to detail, ambience, and warmth. Guitar parts you never noticed, the feel of a great band in the room, cymbals that 'sing'... In my opinion "And" and "Still Alive and Well" (1973) are perhaps Winter's finest albums ever, in terms of quality material, committment, and overall impact, so Winter fans certainly might want to track this one down, unless Sony has plans to reissue their own upgrade soon. Of course it's out of print, but the original (circa 1999-2000) label and serial numbers are: DCC Compact Classics, DZS-194. And good luck!"

The best Johnny Winter studio album ever!

Tony H M Tan | Malaysia | 03/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite studio album from Johnny Winter. The songs and performance is amazing. Although not as "raw" and "blaring" as his other albums, I actually like the melancholic and polished feel of this record. Great production work on the sound. I first heard it as a 16 year old and 35 years later, I still love it so much today. For the "live" album you must get "Johnny Winter And Live" its awesome too. I believe there is a combined set being sold. A must have for all fans. Absolutely 2 thumbs up!! Does anyone know where I can get the sheet music for this album?"