Release Date: 06 September, 1994
Audio CD
Tracks
- Rock Me Baby
- Can't You Feel It
- Cheap Tequila
- All Tore Down
- Rock & Roll
- Silver Train
- Ain't Nothing to Me
- Still Alive & Well
- Too Much Seconal
- Let It Bleed
- Lucille [*]
- From a Buick 6 [*]
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Rating 4.5
A nice collection of blues and rock n' rollThis is a really solid collection of blues-rock, and one of Johnny Winter's most commercially succesful albums.
Lean and mean and very well produced, "Still Alive And Well" is one of Winter's more rock-oriented CDs, yet he doesn't resort to generic rock n' roll riffing or tired 50s rock covers like he sometimes does...the covers are generally well-chosen and well-executed, including the Stones' "Silver Train", on which Winter plays some screaming slide guitar, and a rough and tough rendition of Bob Dylan's "From A Buick 6".
The acoustic country blues "Too Much Seconal" is really nice, and Winter's blues-rock version of Big Bill Broonzy's "Rock Me" is excellent. Johnny Winter plays energetic, fiery lead guitar (almost) without trailing off into pointless shredding or hysterical guitar pyrotecnics, and the arrangements are generally very good.
I've always hated Rick Derringers song "Rock And Roll, Hoochie Coo", and the title track on this album, which also comes from Derringer's pen, isn't excactly an instant classic either. But his other contribution, the rock ballad "Cheap Tequila", is very good, as is Johnny Winter's bluesy version of "Let It Bleed".
And to cap it all off, Winter plays a genuine country song, pedal steel and all..."Ain't Nothin' To Me". It's really good, actually.
"Still Alive + Well" is a solid album...not one that will ever take the place of "Hotel California" or "Abbey Road" on the hit lists, but an enjoyable listen nevertheless.
3 3/4 stars.The return of the Texas Tornado!Back in 1971 Johnny was hospitalised. Alot of his fans waited in eager expectation of his return. Back in England, I was scanning the Melody Maker, searching for any clues when he would arrive on the scene.(some even said he wouldn't be back at all) He made a brief appearance on Edgar Winters "Road Work" album in 1972, i rushed out and bought it just for that reason alone.
THEN soon after, this album aptly titled "Still Alive & Well" came out! I frantically left work early just to hit the record store before it closed. I charged through the front door and placed it on the turntable.
The ferocious intro to the first song ( Rock Me Baby) made me realise that Winter was back to STAY! I was so overwhelmed I just kept repeating the first song for at least half an hour without proceeding any further.
I had heard/seen Jimi Hendrix perform this B.B. King classic but Johnnys version blew Jimi's away!! Then, the songs that proceeded , although heavily rock induced, were still blues based. Again, for variety, Johnny threw in a humourous country flavored tune "Ain't Nothin' to me" and a jazz flavored gem "Too Much Seconal" ( which sounded like it came from a Herbie Mann album) all beautifully done.
Johnny Winters version of the Stones song "Let It Bleed" has to be heard to be believed. The slide guitar solo will have you holding on to the arms of your chair.
(I understand at one time Jagger & Richards themselves remarked that Johnnys versions of this song and Jumpin' Jack Flash were the ultimate!) The other Stones song "Silver Train" was apparently written with Winter in mind.
But even today when i just play the opening bars of "Rock Me Baby" the guitar licks still never fail to impress my teenage son, 30 yrs on. This is the ultimate test of time.Johnny Winter Trys Rock...Johnny Winter was never really into Rock (being more of a bluesman)but at times he at least pretends to like it.
This album is one of those times.
Once again Johnny has to rely on Rick Derringer to prop him up,dust him off and get him thru this album.
If it wasn't for the solid production skills of Rick Derringer this album might have flopped but Rick pulls it through not only providing Johnny with the title tune but also finding him a drummer(Richard Hughes).
Another popular tune was Dan Hartman's Can't you feel it.
It seems Johnny was never much of a songwriter.
It's amazing this lp made it to #23 on the billboard charts at the time, even though it never had anything close to a hit single.
One wonders though was it Johnny or the success of the then Edgar Winter Group which helped the album along? |
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