Together (Remastered)

After a string of successful albums on their own, brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter joined forces in 1976 for a hellacious live album that drew heavily on classic rock, blues, and R&B material. Together benefits from the tight and aggressive ensemble playing of Edgar’s mid-‘70s band. With the addition of Johnny’s throat-searing vocals and sizzling guitar work, the music gains a palpable intensity that turns even familiar tunes into something fresh and exciting. Kicking off the set, “Harlem Shuffle” and “Soul Man” get raucous without losing the groove. An unlikely cover of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” finds Edgar and Johnny matching voices à la the Righteous Brothers, while a medley that includes “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” and “Blue Suede Shoes” joyfully romps through rock’s early years. The fun continues on “Let the Good Times Roll” (featuring Edgar’s lusty sax playing) and “Mercy, Mercy” (a sweet soul exercise full of falsetto squeals and low-down guitar licks). Together concludes with a swaggering take on “Baby, What Do You Want Me to Do” that’s chock-full of growling vocal vamps, blistering licks, and splashy drum work.