Live Johnny Winter And

Recorded live during Johnny Winter’s 1970 U.S. tour, Live Johnny Winter And captures Winter playing with what many would consider one of the era's best backing bands: Randy Jo Hobbs on bass, Bobby Caldwell on drums, and 23-year-old guitar prodigy Rick Derringer in the role of Winter’s guitar foil. Few performers from this time were as ecstatic in the live setting as Winter. While other artists gravitated to the craft of songwriting or the constructive processes of the studio, Winter was all about the abandon and immediacy of the concert. His nearest corollary is Hendrix, in that Winter is happiest when taking flight beyond all premeditation, creating a guitar line that feels like lightning from another dimension. There are a lot of those moments on this concert, especially “Good Morning Little School Girl,” “It’s My Own Fault," and “Mean Town Blues.” At the same time, this is hardly a space-rock odyssey. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Rock and Roll Medley," and “Johnny B. Goode” are down-and-dirty street rock. Winter plays them so gloriously fast and loud and mean that this could almost be considered proto-punk.