EDGAR WINTER
"Rebel Road" (Airline Records;
2008)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
It's been 38 years since Edgar Winter released his first CD, "Entrance," back in 1970. But you'd never know that by listening to 2008's "Rebel Road." The energy level and creativity are still flowing strong as evidenced by this eleven track CD which contains a huge variety of music and is all the more surprising because each and every track works.
There are the hard-rocking tunes ("Rebel Road," "Rockin' the Blues,"), the bluesy crooners ("Texas Tornado, "Horns of a Dilemma"), and the surprisingly sensitive ballads ("The Closer I Get," "Peace and Love"). There's even a funky, almost new wave-ish rocker ("Oh No No.") Throughout the entire CD, Winter delivers, giving the harder tunes a sharp edge with both guitar and vocals, the bluesy tunes a genuine bluesman appeal and the ballads a sweet and emotional delivery.
Buoyed by guest appearances (Slash, Clint Black, Johnny Winter), "Rebel Road" is a terrific album from beginning to end. Fans of Winter's earlier work will find this one equally irresistible and I would think that radio airplay will generate some new fans for the legendary Edgar Winter as well.
For more information, check out http://www.edgarwinter.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2017 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
