Steve Winwood

[ducktrapper]

Could Steve Winwood be the most underappreciated guitarist of the rock era? I know he's in the Rock'n'roll H of F but still. I was a fan of the Spencer Davis Group and a huge fan of Traffic. However, back then, I thought Winwood sang and played organ and Dave Mason handled the guitar work. Then in 1969 I was lucky enough to see Blind Faith in concert. To my astonishment, Winwood played circles around Clapton that night. Who knew he even played guitar?

This is great stuff. A reformed Traffic minus Wood and Mason with a few new members at Woodstock '94. There's supposedly a live album from this tour, opening for the Dead. I have to track it down. The Clapton/Winwood live album from a few years ago is brilliant, as well. You know, if fine guitar playing moves you. 
   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0tf8FIPZsw

[ducktrapper]

Also makes me wonder about other musicians who are known for one instrument but who are really good at another (or many others). Paul McCartney, for instance, is an incredible electric guitar player. Years ago, at our local Blues Festival, the late Jeff Healey played and, instead of guitar, he played trumpet all night. Go figure!   

[KeshaFlansburg]

I have his Nine Lives album and found him an incredible musician. Higher Love is also worth listening. Hopefully, we would find good musicians like him in future with a good sense of playing instruments.

[lkjjr]

Yeah, Steve can play... just a musician from his head to his toes.  Has a great touch with acoustic too. Here's a link where he "revisits" Can't Find My Way Home, barebones and beautiful...
Can't Find My Way Home

[ducktrapper]

One more instrument I didn't know he played. This is pretty good and very a propos.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ollyGgvGkU

[Queequeg]

Yeah, always liked Winwood, even as you say, back in the Spencer Davis Group days.
Lots of great music. KeshaFlansburg mentions Higher Love.  :
One of my (Traffic) favorites:
The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys

[ducktrapper]

Yeah, always liked Winwood, even as you say, back in the Spencer Davis Group days.
Lots of great music. KeshaFlansburg mentions Higher Love.  :
One of my (Traffic) favorites:
The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys

I love Traffic. Especially the second album. 

[Mikeymac]

Love Steve Winwood - in every band he's played in! Agree that on the Clapton / Winwood live concert (CD), he gives Clapton a run for his money playing tasty guitar (I've also always enjoyed J.J. Cale's unique style and tasty playing - someone else who travels [traveled, RIP] a different path than Clapton!).

That mandolin clip is great.

Another tidbit: in a Vintage Guitar article about Steve a few years ago, he mentioned that when he's home, he also sings in his local church choir  -  another way to use his incredible vocal gift...without having to be in the spotlight.


 

[Chasjax]

A pretty obscure Steve Winwood effort was GO - a mid-70's collaboration with Stomu Yamashta and Michael Shrieve.  I've lost my album liner, but Winner/Loser was written, composed and arranged by Steve Winwood.  I did a YouTube search and found a live in Paris version, but it's not as good as the studio version.  There was also a GO II, but I cannot find that album -it must have gotten lost in the shuffle 

Chas

[ducktrapper]

A pretty obscure Steve Winwood effort was GO - a mid-70's collaboration with Stomu Yamashta and Michael Shrieve.  I've lost my album liner, but Winner/Loser was written, composed and arranged by Steve Winwood.  I did a YouTube search and found a live in Paris version, but it's not as good as the studio version.  There was also a GO II, but I cannot find that album -it must have gotten lost in the shuffle 

Chas

I have that around here somewhere. Sort of Traffic-like IIRC and not bad at all.   

[rockstar_not]

Eric Johnson, known for soaring melodic leads on electric also plays piano.  A few years ago he was the headliner for one of the nights at the excellent Guitar Town festival held at Copper Mountain, CO each summer. He played piano😞

[Riverbend]

Loved that version of Back In The High Life with Steve playing mandolin, thanks for sharing!