Johnny Winter

Manna has indeed fallen from heaven in the form of this sumptuously remastered classic from 1970, marking the 35th Anniversary of Johnny’s sophomore release. A true touchstone for blues-rock well ahead of its time, this three-sided, double LP (do the math) gets a loving upgrade, further enhanced with two bonus tracks and a bonus disc of live concert footage taken from London’s Royal Albert Hall that same year. This first incarnation of power blues from the Texas-bred Winter set the stage for his rise to the top of the white man’s blues totem as Johnny married the true Texas blues traditions he had displayed so masterfully on his stunning debut to the rock’n’roll boiling away in his blood. From the psychedelic grit of Percy Mayfield’s "Memory Pain” to the driving grace of "The Good Love” to the creative zenith of Dylan’s "Highway 61 Revisited,” establishing Johnny’s trademark sound — blues-drenched rock’n’roll guitar and heart-wrenched, grit’n’soul vocals — that would carry him down his progressive blues highway. Of special note is the accompanying live disc that includes brother Edgar on sax and keyboards for rousing versions of pre-White Trash "Tobacco Road,” "Frankenstein” and some blistering, extended jams. Truly a Winter to remember.