Step Back – Johnny Winter

Johnny Winter is back! His latest album, just like his guitar, screams he is back in all his glory. Back in great voice with guitar licks in moderation like the Johnny Winter I remember back when I discovered him in 1969. Very sadly his latest album is also his last. Last July, shortly after recording this album he joined the other great blues musicians in the sky.

Step Back is truly a step in the right direction. That Johnny Winter voice thick with a little gravel and that controlled guitar, never over the top but always on the edge just plain sounds great.

The album starts with a song made famous by the late great Ray Charles. “Unchain My Heart” It sets the tempo and immediately announces Johnny is back in a nice easy way.

“Can’t Hold Out” then comes on to remind us we can’t think of the Blues, especially the Texas Blues, without thinking Johnny Winter.

Quite a few guests joined in on this example of Johnny’s outright love of the Blues.

Brian Setzer on “Okie Dokie Stomp”, Dr. John on “Blue Monday”, Eric Clapton on “Don’t Want No Woman”, and Leslie West on “Long Tall Sally”. I’ll let you be surprised with the  other guests but they all fit nicely.

Winter alone with just his guitar on “Death Letter” is a great take on the Son House classic that Johnny makes his own.

This album is made up of a lot of Blues and Blues/Rock classics because that is the Blues and that is Johnny Winter. Classic in every way. I am so very glad he stepped back. If you want to hear the Blues the way it should be heard this album is for you.

Johnny Winter – Step Back (Megaforce Records)

Previously published on Elmore Magazine

Mark J. Smith