Johnny Winter carries his 'Roots' to Brian's Backyard BBQ
Legendary guitarist comes to Wallkill
Johnny Winter's coming to Brian's Backyard BBQ Sunday armed with classic blues tunes spun with his own unique twist.
His new album, "Roots," is an homage to the great blues songs that underpin modern rock. The timing, eight years after his "I'm a Bluesman" album, comes at a point of renewed health for Winter and a burst of listener interest in the foundations of blues.
"The Grammys were ruled by the Allman Brothers Band this year: Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. It's all blues-related. I think there's a resurgence," said producer/guitarist Paul Nelson.
Seizing the moment, it took Winter all of 15 minutes to come up with a list of influential blues songs he had never recorded in his 40-year career. Not known as a collaborator, Winter and his band brought in top blues artists to feature on each song, studying the old versions and infusing them with their own style.
Haynes, Trucks and his wife Susan Tedeschi were onboard to perform, as were Vince Gill, John Medeski, Jimmy Vivino and, of course, Winter's brother Edgar, jumping in with saxophone on the tune "Honky Tonk."
"The only one I hadn't worked with before was John Popper," Winter said. The Blues Traveler frontman laid down harmonica tracks for "Last Night" from his New Jersey studio.
There were enough additional top musicians who agreed to perform that a second "Roots" album is in the works.
"We'll have that out in about a year," Winter said.
The album and his current concert tour show Winter's assessment of what's influenced him most. Like the permanent mark of core songs, his pure white skin accumulated tattoos when he was past 40.
"Each has a memory of a place where I was playing: Australia, Sweden, Germany, New Jersey, Los Angeles," Winter said. "I've had them done all over the world."
What: Johnny Winter When: 6:30 p.m. April 29 Where: Brian's Backyard BBQ and Blues, 1665 Route 211, Town of Wallkill Price: $40 Call: 692-3227