(MVD) Johnny 'Guitar' Watson was one of the hottest and most influential rocking blues guitarists of the Fifties, playing a pivotal role in the development of rock 'n' roll from its R&B roots and pioneering the use of feedback and reverberation in the process. Watson's groundbreaking recordings from the Fifties were technically years ahead of their time. This DVD (out 08/05/2008), filmed at the 1993 North Sea Jazz Festival, captures Watson in blistering form, playing a selection of his most popular numbers, including the hits 'Gangster Of Love', 'I Need It' and 'A Real Mother For Ya'.
It also includes seven bonus tracks filmed at one of his last ever appearances, at the 1996 Bluesfest in Levekusen, Germany. Inspired by innovative guitarists Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown and T-Bone Walker, Watson's own virtuoso and flashy guitar style and stage pyrotechnics in turn were to influence countless R&B and rock guitarists who followed in his wake, ranging from Bo Diddley to Jimi Hendrix, from Ike Turner to Frank Zappa.
His greatest commercial success surfaced in the Seventies when he re-invented himself as a pimp-styled funkster and was in the midst of another career revival when he died in 1996.
Bonus Materials:
* Bonus Tracks - 1996 Bluesfest in Levekusen: Ain't That A Bitch; Doing Wrong Woman; Bow Wow.
* 'In Memoriam' - A tribute documentary made in 1996 which includes one of his last interviews in which he Watson talks about his music and background, his career revival and his unexpected popularity with the new hip-hop generation. (incl. excerpts from li
* Radio Interview - Watson recalls his past career and talks about his musical influences and popularity in Europe in this insightful interview from 1987.
* Young Watson - Fascinating archive footage from his earlier years featuring 'Gangster Of Love', followed by a rocking piano number, 'Special Boogie' and finishing with Watson playing on stage with Bo Diddley.
* Vintage Footage - Watson captured in 1980 in two extended funk workouts, 'Booty Ooty' and 'Real Mother For Ya'
* Discography
* Biography
