JOHNNY WINTER - Third Degree - CD ALBUM

The following reviews of 3rd Degree capture Johnny Winter at a defining moment in his career, where the weight of years spent on the road and in the studio comes together in an album steeped in raw, unvarnished blues. Winter’s guitar playing, as sharp as ever, cuts through each track with the same effortless precision that made him a standout from the start. Yet, 3rd Degree offers more than just guitar mastery—it’s a return to the jam-session spontaneity and Southern-rooted authenticity that has always set Winter apart. With collaborations from old friends and blues legends, the album feels like a homecoming of sorts, reminding listeners that even as Winter evolves, his heart remains deep in the blues. The reviews reflect this—a portrait of a musician who, after 15 albums, is still pushing the limits of his craft, while staying true to the gritty, powerful sound that made him a legend.

The name of the scruffy albino has become synonymous with Texas heavy-metal blues. Finally, there is some variety here, as two different backing bands are used. First, there are Albert Collins’ Icebreakers, who breathe new life into J.B. Lenoir’s “Mojo Boogie.” On two other tracks, including the ballad “Tin Pan Alley,” pianist Dr. John joins in, bringing cross-border music from East Texas to South Louisiana.

On three tracks, Winter brings back his old companions Tommy Shannon and Uncle John Turner after 16 years, igniting fireworks just as in their “good old times,” only sharper and more perfected. Twice, Winter demonstrates where the blues comes from: he grabs his acoustic metal-bodied National guitar. The lyrics of “Evil on My Mind” and “Bad Girl Blues”—as you might guess—are about the evil woman who left him. Lyrically, nothing extraordinary here, and as a “singer,” Winter’s raspy vocal cords can sound monotonous.

However, it’s the electric guitar that does the trick, as he unleashes solos and forces you to listen intensely. This demands repeated listening…

– NH

Source & Full (German) Article

“I really like this record. It’s got a lot of different kinds of blues on it, more variety,” Johnny Winter writes in the liner notes for this album. That sentiment is touching, solid, and simple, just like what 3rd Degree delivers. It is a calm, time-tested work from Johnny Winter’s slide guitar (and as noted, he had to put it down for a month), accompanied by equally solid and well-seasoned musicians of the finest caliber.

The piano duties alternate between Ken Saydek and Dr. John, while the bass is handled by Johnny B. Gayden or Tommy Shannon, and the drums are played by Casey Jones or Uncle “Red” Turner. As Johnny W. says, these are people who can play everything when it comes to the blues and who are also old friends. 3rd Degree isn’t particularly spectacular, but it quietly turns from the pleasant Mojo Boogie to Tin Pan Alley and from I’m Good to Shake Your Money Maker, all the way to Broke and Lonely. The result is so cozy, warm, and exciting like the finest wool blankets. This is another great achievement by the master. Once you get in, you won’t want to get out.

– Jutta Koether

Source & Full (German) Article

Johnny Winter remains one of the most dazzling figures in the American blues scene. As Rolling Stone once famously described: “… a 130-pound, cross-eyed albino with long, flowing hair who plays the smoothest guitar you’ve ever heard.” Up until now, 15 albums have showcased Winter’s ability “with sensitive feeling and great empathy to interpret Black blues as a white man.” With 3rd Degree, the blues hero presents his 16th production.

On all ten tracks, Winter shines with an irresistible blend of earthy blues-rock feel and phenomenal guitar craftsmanship. 3rd Degree is a typical Johnny Winter album from the first to the last note, with recordings that carry the atmosphere of a jam session—raw, unadulterated, and alive.

Born in Leland, Mississippi, on 23 February 1944, Winter was already playing his first gigs on local stages by the age of 14. With his brother Edgar, he formed the band “Johnny and The Jammers,” touring through Texas clubs. “It was fantastic,” Johnny recalls, “we won a talent show one after the other…” In addition to the musicians’ enthusiasm, the band also secured a recording contract. The “Dart” label released their single “School Day Blues” in 1959.

For Johnny Winter, even back then, it wasn’t easy to coordinate his commitments and those of the “Jammers”—getting all the band members together for studio gigs. If he had the time, he’d always sit down with blues greats like B.B. King or Bobby “Blue” Bland to exchange ideas and expertise.

Johnny didn’t just play the blues, though. With numerous formations of the “Jammers,” he toured the southern United States, playing everything from bubblegum pop to cocktail jazz. Blues was always a staple of his repertoire, among many others. He recorded singles for several small record labels during this time, but the lack of significant commercial success limited his exposure to occasional airplay on local radio stations.

In the early 1960s, after a brief stay in Chicago, Johnny Winter contracted a virus, which seemingly pulled him back onto the path of the blues. He threw everything else overboard and focused on what was essential. Before long, his breakthrough came, much like in a fairy tale: Johnny Winter delivered a superb blues concert, and shortly thereafter, a critic from the legendary Rolling Stone magazine discovered him.

Source & Full German Article:

Johnny Winter remains one of the most dazzling figures in the American blues scene. As described by the American showbiz magazine Rolling Stone in 1968: “… a 130-pound, cross-eyed albino with long, flowing hair who plays the smoothest guitar you’ve ever heard.” Up until now, 15 LPs have showcased Winter’s ability “with sensitive feeling and great empathy to interpret Black blues as a white man.” With 3rd Degree, the blues hero presents his 16th production.

On all ten songs, Winter excels with his unmistakable combination of earthy blues-rock feeling and phenomenal guitar craftsmanship. 3rd Degree is a typical Johnny Winter album from the first to the last note, with recordings that capture the atmosphere of a jam session—raw, unpolished, and alive.

Born in Leland, Mississippi, on 23 February 1944, Winter began playing local stages by the age of 14, earning his first wages as a talented youngster. Together with his brother Edgar, he formed the band “Johnny and The Jammers,” and they toured through Texas clubs. “It was fantastic,” Johnny recalls, “we won one talent show after another…” In addition to the enthusiasm of the musicians, the band also secured a recording contract. The “Dart” label released the single “School Day Blues” in 1959.

For Johnny Winter, even back then, it wasn’t easy to coordinate his commitments and those of the “Jammers”—getting all the band members together for studio gigs. If there was time, Winter would also meet up with blues legends like B.B. King or Bobby “Blue” Bland to exchange ideas.

Back then, Johnny didn’t just play blues. With many different versions of the “Jammers,” he toured the southern United States playing bubblegum and cocktail jazz. Blues was always a cornerstone of his repertoire, among other styles. He recorded singles for numerous small labels, but with little commercial success—his efforts were mostly limited to occasional airplay on local radio stations.

Eventually, a virus seemed to bring Johnny Winter back to his true calling. During a brief stay in Chicago in the early 1960s, he got sick and decided to focus on the essential: the blues. Shortly thereafter, in almost fairy-tale fashion, Johnny Winter delivered an excellent blues concert, and not long after, a critic from the legendary Rolling Stone magazine discovered him.

Source & Full (German) Article