Johnny B. Goode

AMG Review of Johnny B. Goode

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

Johnny B. Goode is a compilation on Rex, the Sony BMG partnership label for reissues. It's budget but offers solid material from Johnny Winter's early years with Columbia, from "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" and "Still Alive and Well" to "Stray Cat Blues," "I'll Drown in My Tears," and his trademark version of "Rollin' & Tumblin'." The early Winter band featured Tommy Shannon and Uncle John Turner (who late formed the rhythm section of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble and the Arc Angels). Winter's brother Edgar appears here as well. This is a solid portrait of Johnny Winter as he was hitting his stride and changing the face of electric lues-rock.