Nothin' but the Blues (Johnny Winter album)

Nothin' but the Blues is a 1977 album by guitarist and singer Johnny Winter.^[1]

Nothin' but the Blues
Studio album by Johnny Winter
Released	August 1977
Recorded	1977
Studio	The Schoolhouse
Genre	Chicago Blues
Length	36:11
Label	Blue Sky
Producer	Johnny Winter
Johnny Winter chronology
Together (1976) Nothin' but the Blues (1977) White, Hot and Blue (1978)

On this album Winter moved away from the rock and blues blend of previous albums to a more blues-oriented album. It also saw a marked change in source of material, being almost exclusively written by Winter, apart from one song by Muddy Waters with whom Winter had recently collaborated and who featured on the album along with his band.

A statement in the album liner notes says, "I'd like to dedicate this album to all the people who enjoy my kind of blues and especially to Muddy Waters for giving me the inspiration to do it and for giving the world a lifetime of great blues. – Johnny Winter"

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings	[3]
Rolling Stone	(Not rated)[4]

On AllMusic, William Ruhlmann said, "After a long period making rock records, Winter fronts the Muddy Waters band on the aptly titled Nothin' but the Blues.... Winter sounds happier than ever before on this Chicago blues workout."^[2]

Parallel Forces wrote, "Released in the wake of [the Muddy Waters album] Hard Again, Nothin' but the Blues has the distinction of being recorded with the same musicians. These two albums mark the return to grace of [Johnny Winter] in the world of blues that he had somewhat neglected in previous years, devoted more to rock."^[5]

Track listing

All songs written by Johnny Winter, except "Walkin' thru the Park" by Muddy Waters.

1. "Tired of Tryin'" - 3:40
2. "TV Mama" - 3:11
3. "Sweet Love and Evil Women" - 2:50
4. "Everybody's Blues" - 5:03
5. "Drinkin' Blues" - 3:40
6. "Mad Blues" - 4:17
7. "It Was Rainin'" - 5:53
8. "Bladie Mae" - 3:30
9. "Walkin' thru the Park" - 4:07

Personnel

• Johnny Winter – vocals, electric guitar, metal body acoustic guitar, slide guitar, bass guitar, drums
• Muddy Waters – vocals
• James Cotton – harmonica
• Pinetop Perkins – piano
• Bob Margolin – electric guitar
• Charles Calmese – electric bass
• Willie "Big Eyes" Smith – drums

References

1. Encyclopedia of Classic Rock. ABC-CLIO. 2017. p. 394.
2. Ruhlmann, William. "Nothin' But the Blues - Johnny Winter : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
3. Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. p. 723. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.
4. "Rolling Stone Music | Album Reviews". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2012-06-23.^{[dead link‍]}
5. Maniac Blues (May 23, 2010). "Johnny Winter: Nothin' but the Blues (1977)". Parallel Forces (in French). Retrieved April 1, 2018.