Birds Can't Row Boats

AMG Review of Birds Can't Row Boats

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

Aside from "Ice Cube" (a 1959 instrumental), these tracks date from 1965-1968. Many are previously unissued or only available on rare 45s. Those accustomed to his more famous recordings are in for a jolt, as this shows Winter in several unexpected settings: grinding Texas psych-punk, the British Invasion-cum-folk-rock garage single "Gone for Bad," lue-eyed R&B/soul, an Everly Brothers cover, a Highway 61-era Dylan imitation, and even a sh*t-kickin' C&W tune. There are also some straight, predominantly acoustic blues numbers.