There was no “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo,” and anyone who has followed Johnny Winter’s career lately couldn’t have expected it.

These days, it’s strictly about the blues – no rock allowed.

But it was easy to live without that classic rock fist-pumper when you considered what Winter did bring to Toad’s Place Thursday night.

Though visibly frail in health – evidenced by his seated position for the 80-minute set – Winter’s playing absolutely blistered.

Playing most of the show on his white Erlewine Lazer guitar, Winter, whose eyesight has also significantly deteriorated, slammed through the blues standard “She Likes to Boogie Real Low” and Ray Charles’ “Blackjack.”

Always a man of few words (“This is from my second album” was about as loquacious as he got, introducing “Miss Ann” ), Winter, 64, tore through with lightening licks, his voice dirty and guttural, a trademark black hat tipped over his forehead.

Winter’s setup was a simple one, with a few Fender amps and a fantastic rhythm section his only backup.

His playing on “It’s All Over Now” (and thanks to my buddy Eric for reminding me of The Rolling Stones’ attachment to the song) was a rollicking study in precision playing. And when he finally broke out the traditional Gibson Firebird to rip out some slide guitar on “Mojo Boogie” and his ferocious rendition of Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited” (with lyrics you could understand!), even those seated in the first five rows had to bob their heads appreciatively.

The non-sellout crowd (probably about 800 filled Toad’s) was disappointing to see for a legend of Winter’s status – he isn’t going to be around forever, people.

But while those there might have felt that slight pang of a letdown when Winter creakily shuffled offstage and the houselights immediately came up, they at least now have bragging rights to have seen Winter while he can still out-smoke most.

Posted by Melissa Ruggieri in • Entertainment • Music
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