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Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:51 pm
by lowendbob
Got to see Johnny Winter at a small venue last night in Harrisburg, Pa.
He didn't appear to be in great health as he sat during the entire set, but it sure didn't affect his hands or his vocals.
The band was great too with Scott Spray on bass (awesome bass player).
They were really loud, but their sound was outstanding.
None stop boogie for an 90 minutes.
I have to say one of the best shows I have ever seen.
Took some pictures, but they turned out like **** as always.
If Johnny comes to a town near you, don't miss it!
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:19 pm
by ric325v63
I saw Johnny for the first time (I know, 20 lashes!) just last month here in Alexandria, VA at the Birchmere. I agree, LOUD, blazing hands, good voice, very frail, and, even though VERY loud for a small place, the sound was clean. It was very enjoyable. I wish I hadn't waited this long to see the Legend. Jon
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:42 pm
by kenposurf
A lifetime of hard living has taken a toll on Johnny. He's getting rave reviews everywhere he plays now. It looks like the man still has the fire and the chops to back it up. A tough way to live your precious life though.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:51 pm
by octagon
Cool!Did you see the 8-Track tape I found for at the Unique Thrift Store a couple of days ago?All early 60's JW. I don't know whether to keep it or put it on ebay.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:32 pm
by charlyg
I saw him at the Fillmore West in 70/71 when RIck Derringer played with him. They did the best version of Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo I have ever heard! You can hear it on the Johnny Winter And album.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:27 pm
by mgauction
Looks like he's still playing a Gibson firebird!
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:08 am
by rictified
He's been playing a Firebird for as long as I remember. Scott Spray used to play around here with a drummer friend of mine, he also said Spray was phenomenal, I never saw him with Spray, I was jealous
. Winter's version of Rock n Roll Hoochie Koo was the first I ever heard and still like it the best although Derringer's version is also great. I like it loud, a band that can play loud cleanly is the mark of a great professional band. When it's clean it doesn't hurt.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:10 pm
by winston
This is an interesting read about Johnnys early days in the music biz.
http://www.yee.ch/winter/winter_bio.html
Enjoy!
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:06 pm
by charlyg
I did! Thanks!
Steve Foster on Tunings
Spanish tuning is: V-I-V-I-III-V, which equates to D-G-D-G-B-D in the key of G, or: E-A-E-A-C#-E in the key of A. Simply put, when you strum the guitar without fretting, it's playing a chord. Another Johnny favorite is the Vestapol tuning, which is: I-V-I-III-V-I, which equates to D-A-D-F#-A-D in the key of D, or: E-B-E-G#-B-E in the key of E. Some fine examples of these tunings in action can be heard on "Dallas" (open G), "Mean Town Blues" (open A), "Highway 61" from "Second Winter, "Mojo Boogie", "Stranger Blues" (open D), or the red hot version of "Highway 61" from "Captured Live", or "Let It Bleed" (open E). These are a lot of fun, and I encourage all guitar players to give them a try.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:17 pm
by marc61
I remember on holiday season during the late 70's. Johnny used to buy a lot of musical equipment from a local music store. Anyway, during one of my visits, he called on the phone, and the owner put it on speaker so Johnny could wish all a happy holiday season.
Believe it or not, I have still not seen him live.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:57 am
by firstbassman
I’m sorry I can’t share everyone’s fond reviews. (Though he apparently also did get good reviews from Clapton’s last Crossroads event.)
Buried deep within this section is my mention of Winter’s performance last year at The Barns in Virginia. The show was very short (about an hour) and about 15 minutes of that was just his backup band opening.
He only used the Firebird for slide on the last song (Highway 61). The rest of the time he uses this thing (can’t remember the brand name off the top of my head):
The tone was awful and the playing (IMHO) mediocre. At one time he was one of my favorites. But I guess age and illness have taken their toll.[/color]
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:05 pm
by charlyg
He has been playing that for quite a while (a decade at least). I do not remember(may have been the mesc!) what he played at the Fillmore in 72. I was too enamored by both him and Derringer on stage at the same time!
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:27 pm
by firstbassman
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:49 am
by lowendbob
I have tickets to see him again in State College in a few weeks. Can't wait!
Great article Brian.
Re: Saw a living legend last night.
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:40 pm
by winston
lowendbob wrote:I have tickets to see him again in State College in a few weeks. Can't wait!
Great article Brian.
Agreed it is a great article. You are a lucky man IMHO Bob. He is a great musician and he commands a huge amount of respect from his peers.
I have always liked the music that the two brothers created for our listening enjoyment. On a less positive note, Edgar seems to have fared a little better on the health side of the equation. I wish Johhny was in better health. He has paid his dues.