Johnny Winter finished this all-star collaboration just before he died, unintentionally bringing his career full circle by revisiting the songs that made him fall in love with the blues in the first place. Produced by his band’s second guitarist Paul Nelson, Step Back is ultimate proof that Winter maintained the same passion he displayed on his breakthrough recordings in 1968 through his final days. A number of guests lend their support, too. Brian Setzer joins in for a big band, rockabilly take on Gatemouth Brown’s “Okie Dokie Stomp,” featuring the Blues Brothers’ horn section. Dr. John adds some Fats Domino-inspired
piano to “Blue Monday” and Leslie West drops a stinging bent note solo to “Long Tall Sally,” while Eric Clapton steps in for a short, concise solo on Magic Sam’s “Don’t Want No Woman.” Not to be overshadowed by his famous friends, Winter strips the Son House classic “Death Letter” down to just his guitar and vocals. As on the rest of the album, his voice is a little shaky, but as his impressive slide work shows, his fingers remained nimble until the end.