Entrance/edgar Winter's White Trash (Remastered + Slipcase) (CD)

This double-disc BGO set contains completely remastered versions of the first two Edgar Winter albums issued on the Epic label. Entrance was released on LP in 1970 and contains two completely different thematic sides -- as the LP was divided, Winter's Dream and Tobacco Road. Of the 11 cuts here, three were written by Winter while eight were co-written with guitar-slinging brother Johnny (who plays harmonica on the set). The stunning thing is how many different kinds of music are here. "Entrance" and "Rise to Fall" feel more like a Todd Rundgren songs with their elegantly and elaborately styled piano-based compositions and Winter's voice. Jazz, rock, pop, classical, and R&B permeate the tunes on the first side, whereas harder-edged blues-based tunes are articulated where Tobacco Road begins (with Johnny on guitar) and spins almost out of control. The latter record, monikered White Trash, the namesake of Edgar's band at the time, sports a much bigger band and a much rougher, rawer sound. Winter added an entire horn section and shared lead vocals with Jerry Lacroix. Again Johnny guests as does Johnny's new guitarist, Rick Derringer (who also produced). The groove on this record comes right out of Sly & the Family Stone, complete with overloaded funky bass and punched-up funky horn charts, but there's Memphis soul and country too! Winter wrote or co-wrote everything here with Lacroix. The set also touches on gospel with a full backing chorus on "Fly Away" and "Save the Planet." The latter album is the most successful of the two in its intense focus and sheer crackling energy. The band plays like it's been together for decades, and Derringer's production keeps the live feel of the tunes, keeping levels in the red throughout. ~ Thom Jurek