Product Description

This DVD contains an incredible collection of official archival footage from the '70s including performances from Danish TV "Gladsaxe Teen Club" (Denmark 1970), the Royal Albert Hall in London (1970), the Beat Club in Bremen, Germany (1970), Don Kirshner's Rock Concert - Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT (1973), Soundstage - Blues Summit in Chicago, IL (1974), Musikladen in Bremen, Germany (1974), and Rockpalast in Germany (1979). Intermixed with the live content is interview footage at Detroit Tubeworks in Detroit, MI (1970). It's the definitive document of Johnny's career in the '70s.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16092 in DVD
• Brand: MUSIC VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS
• Released on: 2008-11-11
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 111 minutes

Features

• This DVD contains an incredible collection of official archival footage from the '70s including performances from Danish TV "Gladsaxe Teen Club" (Denmark 1970), the Royal Albert Hall in London (1970), the Beat Club in Bremen, Germany (1970), Don Kirshner's Rock Concert - Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT (1973), Soundstage - Blues Summit in Chicago, IL (1974), Musikladen in Bremen, G

Review
There is no known film of Robert Johnson, precious little of T-Bone Walker and none of Muddy Waters in his prime in Chicago before 1960. But the gods of music bestowed a gift on fans when they granted the filming of Johnny Winter from his creation as he exploded on the scene like a Texas tornado to become a true blues guitar hero.
The first clips from 1970 shot at the Gladsaxe Teen Club in Denmark with Johnny s Texas rhythm section of bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner are stunning in their production and performances. Johnny is an exuberant live wire, his long white mane flashing. With brother Edgar guesting on keyboards, drums and vocals, he tears into an epic version of Be Careful of the Fool like a man on a mission slinging a suitably funky Epiphone guitar. A special treat is the rare, early airing of Edgar s Frankenstein with Johnny carrying the track almost single-handedly.
Concert footage from the same year at the Royal Albert Hall in London finds him evolving to rock and glam as his onstage persona develops. He owned Johnny B. Goode in the 70s and his orgasmic version, along with hyper takes of Talk to Your Daughter and Tell the Truth are still breathtaking and unmatched in their raw energy and fret-melting chops.
Interviews conducted at Detroit Tubeworks are interspersed throughout, revealing Johnny as a witty subject with a perceptive and wryly critical view of the culture. He is joined in one segment by bassist Randy Jo Hobbs to whom he precedes to teach Key to the Highway on the spot for a spontaneous country blues performance showing another side of his guitar mastery. By the time he appears on Rock Concert in 1973 with Hobbs and double-bass drummer Richard Hughes, however, he has metamorphosed into a full-fledged star on his way to becoming one of the biggest arena acts of the decade. With top hat, cape, platform shoes and beard, he waves his signature Firebird like a magic wand at the transfixed audience as he rocks the house to the rafters with Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo and Stone County.
By 1979 Johnny returned to the blues he never left. In a telling moment he attempts to explain the music to the German audience at the Rockpalast in Essen. Citing the language barrier, he proceeds to give the most eloquent demonstration with bassist/harmonicist Jon Paris and drummer Bobby Torello by using the classic Mississippi Blues as a vehicle to traverse the whole history from the Delta to Texas, Chicago and beyond to the high voltage style of Johnny himself. It is a fitting testimonial to a legendary bluesman who has earned his place among the immortals that preceded and inspired him. --Dave Rubin, Guitar Edge Magazine

Customer Reviews

Johnny Winter - 'Live Through The '70's' (MVD) Duration: 110 minutes
Reason I'm giving this DVD such a high rating is because both the sound and picture quality are pristine. Total of fourteen foot-stomping blues rockers as only Johnny Winter is able to play. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the three song performance from the 1970 Danish Teen Club show of "Frankenstein", the bluesy "Be Careful Of The Floor" and "Drop The Bomb" + the three song live concert (looks like maybe a 16mm film) snippet from the Royal Albert Hall with brother Edgar on sax. I for one, had no idea the two toured together in 1970. Next up, is the almost ahead-of-it's time presentation of the total *ss-kicking "Mean Town Blues" - from a German Beat Club appearance. Following that, it's a two song 1973 Don Kirshner's Rock Concert gig of "Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo" and "Stone Country" - that I remember seeing on TV when I was in junior high. Sure sounds better in full stereo. Also seem to recall the one track here from Johnny's 1974 Soundstage show - a song written by Muddy Waters, the toe-tapping "Walking Through The Park". Wanted to mention the interview snips (appearing at the right place during this DVD) were nice. Simply, a must-have for all true Johnny Winter fans. Would make a memorable holiday gift.

This Is the Best Johnny Winter Show Available
Well some of us remember Johnny Winter when he came out as a "bonus baby" (one of the highest paid artists at the time- not really appropriate for a "bluesman") on his initial Columbia Records debut. That record was fantastic, but it was at the end of the "blues boom" of the 1960s. Winter went on to record some great things but got stuck between blues, rock and so on. We guitarists all loved him with his fingerpick style and soulful speed- a cross between Freddie King and B.B., with a great growling voice- not like Bob Hite and other "white" blues singers at the time.

This DVD is really the best released so far. I have waited two months to write a proper review of it. Winter has had several Japanese releases (bootleg) with some of these tunes on it, but they are not as good. The sound on this DVD makes it very special. If you only have one Johnny Winter DVD this should be it. A few years ago they released "Pieces and Bits" which, like this was a compilation of VHS released stuff, but it was a bit all over the place. This DVD is right on! I am a Blues lover and I will address this review to that part of the content.

The opening tunes are special- the sound this track not the best but Winter's interpretation of his brother Edgar's "Frankenstein" is a highlight (still the Winter Bros top chart hit!- even if Johnny didn't play on the record-(Ronnie Montrose- with ex-band member, guitarist, Rick Derringer as producer)-but this version is superb Johnny's graceful lead and his multi-instrumentalist brother's great drum solo- just fantastic!. Of course the presence of Tommy Shannon, later of "Double Trouble" with SRV on this tune and in several other parts of the DVD is also very special.

Johnny's version of BB King's "Be Careful Of The Fool" is one of the highlights of the disc. It showcases Winter's abilities and style. This tune is much like his version of another King tune, "It's My Own Fault", from the Fillmore East sessions! You will play that one over and over.

At Royal Albert Hall the highlights are "Johnny B. Goode", very clever and well done. And "Talk To Your Daughter"the great tune from JB Lenoir, is performed with a different groove. "Tell The Truth" showcases the immense talent of Johnny's brother Edgar- what a keyboard and Sax solo!! A fantastic effort, even if it is a runny VHS transfer!

The final selections I want to comment on are; "Key To The Highway"-Big Bill Broonzy's and later Little Walter's tune-which by the way is not listed on the back of the case!! This is Johnny at his best--just him and an inadequate bass player- but his is still brilliant-you can watch that one over and over if you are a player. Also "Walking Through The Park"- from the famous Muddy Water's tribute show (why has this not been released yet!!!) with Johnny playing with Muddy, Junior Wells and Mike Bloomfield on this tune! Another superb blues selection is "Walking By Myself"- Jimmy Rogers' (James Lane) classic tune. In many ways it's the highlight of the whole disc! A great rendition! Finally is Dale Hawkins' "Suzi Q" with James Burton's classic riff.- just great!

This is a "must have" for all blues fans and guitarists. It is a pity that so little footage exists of this great blues innovator. It's a shame that the "Blues Boom" of the 1960s ended and left this talent hanging- but at least we have something! Remember little exists of Magic Sam, Guitar Slim, Young Buddy Guy and T-Bone Walker and even Albert King. This show is a must for most collectors and Blues enthusiasts.

EASY 5
I have been a Winter's fan since the 70's, so far this is the best footage I have seen of him. Lot's of good interviews, some good close ups of him also. The quality on most of this is great, and yes some is blurry, but it is good just to have live footage. It shows Johnny in his prime, lots of excellent guitar solos too. He plays with a lot of different people, but no matter what he just shines like you would expect. Overall this is a must have for Winter fans, way better than (Pieces & Bits) or (Live At Time Square) for sure. I know some people will complain about it, so if you want perfection you might not like it. So far this is the best there is on DVD, so why not just watch and enjoy it. And he also does some great slide work, this is something I love to watch him do, what a master.