Another installation in Terrific But No Video. This is a great recording from the prime of Johnny Winter. Got young Rick Derringer on there who was relatively unknown (Hang on Sloopy) but Johnny knew that he was a player. Johnny was developing a following and hadn't hit the "big time" yet, ie he wasn't getting any airplay! When I first heard this recording I thought man this guy is absolutely incredible...I was right! Rick was a guitar prodigy who had a beautiful mastery of the guitar as well as a nice 59 Gibson Explorer. Most don't know this but Rick became afraid to carry his split head explorer on the road (no crap) even back in the early 70's so he commissioned Charles LoBue of the famous Guitar Shop in NYC to custom build him a couple of custon made Explorers that he could take without the risk of loss. Yeah, all of those magazine cover shots were with the lobue which can easily distinguished from Ricks split head. With Gibson and Fenders reputations in the tank at the time after both suffering corporate buyouts, many professional players were going to LoBue Guitars for at least setups, custom pickups, body mods and one offs. There was also another couple electronics wizards there at the shop ... Larry DiMarzio and his second in command, Steve Bluecher.
Back to Johnny Winter. This is an absolutely terrific recording and one that deserves it's listening!! A must have recording.
For more on the LoBue Guitars: http://lobueguitars.com/206_thompson/Story-4.asp
Here's more Johnny Winter:
ReplyDeleteBman's Blues Report: Be Careful With a Fool - Johnny Winter