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7 December 2009
Weather Alert!
Those who think Johnny Winter does not possess supernatural powers, think
again. The Washington, D.C. area had its first snowfall of the year in the
morning of his concert day.
"Legendary Texas guitarist Johnny Winter has made a career out of blurring the
line between blues and classic rock in a memorable way that few can match."
You had better believe these words, as they were printed by The Washington
Post, leader in the American nation's Capital. The newspaper gained even more
credibility by its weather section on Friday: they could forecast what was to come.
Those who had decided to attend Johnny Winter's Saturday gig woke up to a
pleasant surprise. The US Capital district saw a mild and rainy autumn, but the
area had gotten a snowy covering during the night. Enormous snowflakes, like
white butterflies, kept on falling down until early Saturday evening.
Winter had come to Washington.
Late in the evening, Johnny Winter and his band played at the State Theatre in
Falls Church, Virginia -- just about nine miles from The White House. The club was
packed; this was interesting enough, bearing in mind that even a slight snowfall
usually makes the locals go into a sudden panic.
"So you made your way through the snowstorm", said The Hammer from The
Gypsy Sons, the Alexandria, VA -based band, which opened the night.
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Johnny Winter ended his downward spiral - both musical and personal - some
years ago. His good form goes on. Johnny Guitar handles his mini-sized Erlewine
Lazer with some ease, fingers smoothly obeying their master. Another familiar
tool, a Gibson Firebird, was handed out to Johnny for the slide guitar numbers.
The set list was filled with songs that have been heard at Johnny's concerts for a
long time, some of them since the 60's. Songs like "Lone Wolf" and "Sugar
Coated Love" (from Winter's latest studio album "I'm a Bluesman") and Bobby
Womack's classic "(I Used to Love Her But) It's All Over Now" provided the gig
with some freshness, though. Instead of Womack's funky original, Winter's
interpretation of "It's All Over Now" was reminiscent of the 'white' versions of The
Rolling Stones and The Faces.
Otherwise the numbers were tried and true: "Hideaway", "She Likes to Boogie
Real Slow", "Miss Ann", complete with tributes like "Red House" (Jimi Hendrix) and
"Black Jack" (Ray Charles).
Johnny Winter is one of the best guitarists in blues/rock history. However, his
vocal talents have always been under some dispute. Today, after all, he sings
better than ever. His traditional 'shrieking' is almost totally gone; Winter has
replaced it with much deeper a way of expressing himself. It seems he really
concentrates on the vocals nowadays.
Johnny talked to the audience a little, and later on he even made the people
scream: "Let me hear you say Yeah!" His stage attire caused no complaints,
either: T-shirt, Texas Hat and tracksuit bottoms!
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The Winter Band played in a line-up of four this time. A second guitar was played
by band leader Paul Nelson. Scott Spray was on the bass and Vito Liuzzi on the
drums.
Make no mistake: Paul Nelson definitely earns his place on stage. After all he is
the one who has helped Johnny Winter revitalize his career; Winter himself did
the same by fuelling the new rise of Muddy Waters in the 70's. In a live situation
however, Nelson's rhythm guitar decreases the power of bassist Spray -- and the
headliner himself.
Spray, for his part, is one who really throws himself into the music. He constantly
seeks, and gets, inspiration from the main man. Spray does not always play by
the book and he feels free to improvize - enjoyable. Liuzzi, the drummer, is the
band's working man. He bangs away in full throttle all the time and, literally, bites
his lips all along.
Volume seemed to have been of great importance to The Gypsy Sons. Since the
warm-up act had set the standard, the Winter Band decided to play needlessly
loud, too. The State Theatre's stone walls do not provide a good environment for
this - the experience was painful at places. A number of more delicate songs
would not have hurt anybody.
Do you still remember Johnny Winter's form from some ten years back? You can
consider it a bad dream by now. Johnny is a sure-fire superstar in the blues/rock
sky - you do not have to be worried about his preparedness anymore.
On Sunday morning, virtually all snow had melted from the Washington Metro
Area. The wintery breeze had moved on.
PASI TUOMINEN
Falls Church, Virginia
Johnny Winter & band. The State Theatre, Falls Church, Virginia
5 December 2009
Johnny Winter (guitar, vocals), Paul Nelson (rhythm guitar), Scott Spray (bass),
Vito Liuzzi (drums, vocals)
Special guest: The Gypsy Sons; The Hammer (guitar, vocals), Eric King (guitar,
vocals), John Gies (bass, vocals), Jack Bryant (drums, vocals)
Links: Johnny Winter, The Gypsy Sons, The State Theatre
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