It features performances by a number of guest musicians, including Jason Ricci, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Lou Marini and Tom Malone from The Blues Brothers Band, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Joe Perry from Aerosmith, Leslie West from Mountain (Winter had guested on West's Still Climbing the previous year), and Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats.

"[18] In Glide Magazine, Doug Collette said, "Based on its selection of elemental blues and rock material, Johnny Winter's Step Back is a logical extension of his previous record, the more literally conceived and executed Roots.

"[20] In the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Wesley Britton wrote, "... in short order, the vibrancy, energy, and variety of what I heard blew all my preconceived blues away.

In a very real sense, Roots and Step Back, both produced by guitarist Paul Nelson, are appropriate full-circle collaborations where Winter et al show their affection for the music that inspired and influenced them all those years ago.

I believe he will finally get his Grammy with this monumental accomplishment.... Long live the blues and the music of Johnny Winter; this was one hell of an exit for one of the greatest guitar players on the planet.