When Johnny Winter died on July 16, 2014, many wanted his brother Edgar to record a tribute album. But Edgar claimed he was just too devastated at the time to make it. It wasn’t until he’d wrapped up Rock ‘N’ Blues Fest, a tour his band was set to play with his brother’s band, that he began thinking about what has blossomed into an all-star tribute for 2022 Brother Johnny.
With “Lone Star Blues” at its heart, there’s not much to be sad about. Keb ‘Mo’ on slide with Winter delivering a spectacular voice put us well into what’s happening around him with this lead-off and the guests making it possible. Guitarist Joe Bonamassa lends his talent to the album, tackling Johnny Winters’ famous smoky riff on “Self-Destructive Blues” and showing his connection to the late bluesman. Guitarists Billy Gibbons and Derek Trucks trade licks on an updated version of “I’m Yours, I’m Hers.” Taylor Hawkins even sings on Guess I’ll Go Away, his first posthumous release.
Two piano-led tracks stand out on this album. First, it’s a cover of Johnny Winter’s ballad “Stranger” with Michael McDonald’s rich voice, Joe Walsh’s sweet wail (he also sings on “Johnny B. Goode”) and solid drums from Ringo Starr. The final track is another Edgar Winter original, ‘End Of The Line’, masterfully scored on piano by David Campbell. As close as the Winter brothers seemed to be, it is still difficult and likely for Edgar Winter to come to terms with his brother’s death. Brother Johnny is in every way a celebration of a great blues rock icon, a man so many miss and call an influence.
~ Ralph Greco Jr.
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