It was the first warm night after a month of gray skies. ' The crowd, numbering about 14,000, was out in full force to see Johnny Winter, and the West Coast debut of Brownsville Station at the Long Beach Arena Friday night.
Hawaiian, print shirts and surfer T-shirts replaced the rolled-sleeve look of winter plaids. Springtime means freedom and the mood of the night was carried along first by Brownsville Station and then by a powerful Johnny Winter. Brownsville Station surprised me — pleasantly. They have far more depth than their single hit of "Smokin' In The Boys Room." And while they're not exactly up in the exciting group category, they're not the lightweights I had expected.
INTRODUCED,
as being "directly from the Holiday :Inn in Hollywood . . ." the trio sped into a tight rock version of "Barefoctin" followed by "Gangster .ofLove." , Despite the gutsy brand .of rock and roll brandished by the Brownsville Station, they lacked originality.
Their expansive sound enveloped only one mood and did little candid exploration into fresh awareness.
Next to them; Johnny Winter popped up like a fresh daisy gulping springtime magic.By the time Winter got on stage, the Arena was filled with enough smoke to'warrant a first stage' smog aiert. Every now and then a blast of fresh air would expell from the faltering air filter system. Johnny Winter —' spelled out in three-foot neon letters, and the man himself, with his waist-length silver hair, patched jeans and six-inch platforms, ripped into an 18-minute "I Just Want to Rock and Roll."
Winter has a frenetic, urgency about his music. It screams out in loneliness and desparation. THE 30-year-old artist was a crowd pleaser with hia boogie, but oore of a musician with his deeply felt blues. His guitar solos were excellent and his mood range almost jarring.
"Bad Luck Situation," from his new album "Saints,and Sinners" is a Winter composition and came up a winner with a loud cheer of "alright" from an energy-tinged crowd
He did with a flashy, light show, and special slow soul blues. After 45. minutes,of musical rambling, he finally got to: , "I used to cry at night and walk the streets Love me a little bit and why in the world don't : you treat me right.
Source & Article: 74-04-02 Long Beach Telegram.pdf
