Serious Business (CD - 1985)

Producers: Johnny Winter, Bruce Iglauer, Dick Shurman.

Recorded at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, Illinois.

The 1985 follow-up to Johnny Winter's terrific comeback album GUITAR SLINGER, SERIOUS BUSINESS continues the artistic renaissance of its predecessor. Released on the influential blues indie Alligator Records, SERIOUS BUSINESS is a much more straightforward blues-based work than Winter's better-known '70s blues-rock albums for Columbia. Live-sounding and unpretentiously produced--don't let the mid-'80s recording date fool you, there are no electronic drums or MIDI synths to be found--SERIOUS BUSINESS is a player's album.

Playing strictly electric this time out, Winter turns the songs into vehicles for lengthier-than-usual solos. Nevertheless, the solos are as well constructed as his more concise work; there's no aimless noodling here. A particular highlight is the fleet-fingered, bluegrass-like electric solo on the rocking title track, which closes the album on a high note. Recommended for guitar aficionados everywhere. minimize