
But in these days of music streaming and recommended playlists it is heartening to feel a whole new audience may discover his music through Daltrey’s interpretations. But Going Back Home - a retrospective LP featuring Roger Daltrey on vocals is, surely, his final parting shot.

In the year or so since Wilko Johnson announced he had terminal cancer, he has stunned doctors and fans alike by giving a string of blistering concerts and candid interviews. Of course, when Johnson does finally leave us fans may prefer to remember him with the original versions. Talk about not going gentle into that good night. You would also be impressed how “Sneakin’ Suspicion” swaggers - especially the guitar playing which is still as choppy and precise as ever sonically staring and jerking just like Johnson would do on stage.Īll in, this is a solid epitaph to one of rock’s most eccentric and unsung careers.
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If you hadn’t heard Johnson’s cracked tones on the original “Turned 21” you would surely be taken by the tender, sad melody here. Those unprejudiced by the first versions, however, may listen with more patience.

And, for those still in love with the old Essex-blues feel, it may just be too forceful. It’s certainly a million miles from the stale tobacco and India Pale Ale mood of the originals. CDs are released in many editions and variations, such as standard edition, re-issue, demonstration demo, not for sale, promotional promo, special edition, limited edition, and many other editions and versions. Daltrey’s huge voice, you see, does almost sound like he’s from Chicago. For this specific sale the CDs sleeve condition refers only to the inner paper insert sleeve, and does not refer to the outer digipak, jewel case or cardboard outer casing. His observation goes right to the heart of how you are likely to feel about this album. Whatever you think of Going Back Home, there’s no denying that Wilko Johnson is massively overdue some proper critical praise, cancer or no cancer.

Johnson then chipped in, “Don’t matter how hard you try, you can’t sound like you’re from Chicago when you grew up on Canvey Island”. For the two men have long admired each other and Daltrey remarked in a recent interview how they were inspired by the same American R’n’B.
