Just minutes before Johnny Winter's performance at Toad's Place in New Haven, the legendary Texas blues guitarist was honoured with an award recognising him as the 'Most Requested Artist 2002' by Beef Stew, host/producer of the top-rated Sunday Night Blues radio programme on 106.9 WCCC-Hartford.
While Johnny visibly appreciated the honour, it was clear he wasn’t about to bask in accolades. He was more focused on what he enjoys the most—playing the blues.
Looking fitter than he had in quite some time, Winter's energy level shone through his gregarious playing and enthusiastic vocal work. Backed by a tight three-piece band that included veteran harpist/vocalist James Montgomery, the ensemble opened with the familiar Freddie King classic, "Hideaway."
Though Winter no longer raced up and down the fretboard like he did 15 years ago, his intricate, technically flawless playing remained both fluid and melodic.
Part of Johnny Winter's genius lies in knowing his limitations. On tunes like "She Likes To Boogie Real Low," "Good Time Charlie," and "Got My Mojo Working," his tasty chord work was complemented by shorter, more economical solos.
The adoring audience, many of whom had seen the master perform over 20 times, were impressed by his energy and seemed unconcerned about his physical limitations—needing a silver-tipped cane to walk on and off stage, and sitting in a chair throughout the entire set due to a hip ailment he was recovering from. His connection with the fans was all that was necessary to create a memorable show.
During the slower "Black Jack," Winter amazed everyone with his dexterity and compelling vocal display. You could literally watch him hit each note with precision.
What his fans witnessed was a style of guitar-playing that was low on flash but full of feeling and seemingly effortless skill. He brought the house down with his closer, "Johnny Guitar."
Once again, his playing wasn't fast, but it was crystal-clear, articulate, and resonant. His bandmates—Montgomery, Scott Spray on bass, and Wayne June on drums and vocals—were so in sync that the phrase "orchestrated improvisational jamming" came to mind, especially during the aforementioned standard and the powerful "Sick and Tired."
Winter usually incorporates slide playing into his sets, but on Friday, he devoted the entire encore to it—and it was well worth the wait.
Strapping on his signature Gibson Firebird, Johnny launched into "Mojo Boogie" before stunning the crowd with Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited," a song he had performed routinely in years past.
His stripped-down blues interpretation of this classic was so original that it took several minutes to recognise what he was playing. Although Winter isn't scheduling many gigs on this tour, the world-class blues performer, who resides in Connecticut, is in the final stages of preparing a new studio CD release later this year. A few of the new songs were previewed during Friday night's set.
With 29 recordings and countless other collaborations to his credit over a six-decade career, it's about time the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame takes notice and honours one of the greats.
