Michael Bloomfield - If You Love These Blues: An Oral History

The book was almost like a new one. The only telltale sign was some writing at the to of one Page. A very good book , by the way.

I gotta confess, I never really appreciated the depth of Mike Bloomfield's talent when he was in his heyday. Oh yeah, I was a fan of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and of the Electric Flag, but I never did buy wholly into the "Bloomfield as guitar god" mantra that many of my slightly older friends and schoolmates did. Perhaps if I had been just a little older when he was at his zenith, I would have understood just how musically important he was!If You Love These Blues was brought to my attention by one of the book's authors who had e-mailed me about one of my reviews on amazon. His description of it sounded interesting, so I took a chance and ordered it here. Am I ever glad I did! Not only did I get a book chock full of interesting stories and anecdotes about Bloomfield and those who surrounded him, I also got a magnificent CD of previously unissued 1964 Bloomfield recordings, from the vaults so to speak.The book:If You Love These Blues is not a traditional biography, rather it is a compilation and arrangement of interviews of Bloomfield himself (before his death, of course), his colleagues, his intimates, and some of his important acquaintances given over the years as Bloomfield's life is explored from his youth until his untimely death. Some of the interviews of those important in his life were given years after Bloomfield's death and help the reader to form a retrospective impression of the sort of guy Bloomfield was.At first I was skeptical about how this style of biography would work out, now I see that it was probably the best way to approach Bloomfield's story. The interviews and stories are not haphazardly arranged, but are in such an order as to give the reader a coherent overview of each important period of Bloomfield's life. The stories, reminiscences, and anecdotes are sometimes humorous, sometime tragic, but nearly always compelling. My favorite bunch of reminiscences are those revolving around Bloomfield and his experiences with some of the old giants of blues, particularly those of his wild trip to St Louis with Big Joe Williams and a couple friends.Those most interested in the musical aspect of his life and the musicians that surrounded, influenced, or were influenced by Bloomfield will enjoy reading the comments of luminaries like Elvin Bishop, Jack Casady, Nick Gravenites, Al Kooper, Buddy Miles, Charlie Musselwhite,Mark Naftalin, and Carlos Santana among many others.At the end of the book, there is a list of interviewees for quick reference, a comprehensive discography, and a selected critical discography.The CD:First, I've gotta say that even without the CD, the book was well worth the price paid. With the CD, the book is an incredible bargain. Take yourself back to 1964 and try to remember the kind and quality of the music that was popular then. Try to think of anyone at that time who was considered a legitimate guitar hero, then listen to this! Now how advanced is this for its day? You get nearly 45 minutes of primitive, searing blues that let you see just how far ahead of his contemporaries he was. Bloomfield often liked to play all the parts, and his experiments here with overdubbing showcase his massive talent. I like it all, but particularly enjoy Country Boy (with a young Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica), Intermission Blues (on which his piano play foreshadows Bob Hall's style on early Savoy Brown recordings), and the jamfest Gotta Call Susie that closes out the CD.If you are a blues fan and if you love the blues style popularized by Michael Bloomfield and his colleagues, then you will buy this book! I cannot give it any higher recommendation.

I just watched the outakes of The Complete MONTEREY POP FESTIVAL from the Criterion Collection. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RELEASED BEFORE?. For those who saw The Monterey Pop Festival movie in '67-'68, when it was released, it contained 90 minutes that brought not only the California Sound of the 60's, but the most innovative acts in rock, to the world. Not only was it a culutural revelation but a revolution. Even Clive Davis, the super manager who is the most powerful force in pop music to this day, says the concert changed his life (he can be seen in audience reaction shots). Well, I gotta tell you all - this movie- now with the outtakes that you can watch and hear on DVD-- I believe is just as powerful as WOODSTOCK!!! HELLO, LOU ADLER! WHY DID WE HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG?I was kid in a rock band in the 60's playing high schools in Ohio. Sure I was influenced by the Beatles, Stones, Animals-- the British Invasion. Soon our band finally understood these bands were influenced by Elvis, Chuck Berry, and the Blues greats-- Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, etc. Realize in farm-bound Ohio, the cultural education we got was mainstream. FM rock was still in its infancy and we were slaves to AM top 40. Somehow we heard of this band from Chicago that was creating a huge scene with their high energy blues music-- the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. And that they learned and/or played with the blues greats. So Michael Bloomfield became our hero and his place on the throne was cemented with SUPER SESSION.This fascinating book.... this incredible oral history.... from many of the artists that surrounded Bloomfield follows the rise of blues-rock and his influence on the music of the time.Before Hendrix, Page, and Clapton, there was Michael Bloomfield and he was an insecure but incredible force who's effect on many artists is now finally being documented.If you love the music of the 60's you must read this book. IT IS GREAT!!!. It would make a great movie. MARTY, I HOPE YOU'RE READING THIS!So get this book then you'll understand what was going on at the Monterey Pop Festival. Cause in it is not only a fantastic performance by Paul Butterfield Blues Band but also one with Bloomfield playing with The Electric Flag plus several cutaways of Bloomfield in other parts of the film. Also, the comment from David Crosby in the film about Bloomfield is priceless.

マイケル・ブルームフィールドについて書かれたおそらく唯一の伝記。マイク本人のコメントや、彼の人生や音楽活動に関わったニック・グラヴィナイテス、バリー・ゴールドバーグ、アル・クーパー、カルロス・サンタナ、チャーリー・マッセルホワイトといったアーティストたちの証言からマイクの実像を掘り下げていくという実に興味深い内容です。幼少時代のマイク、マディー・ウォーターズを始めとするブルース・ジャイアントたちとの出会い、晩年の記録に至るまで、様々な角度からマイクの軌跡を辿ることができます。驚いたのは、７曲入りのＣＤが付属していること。貴重な音源ばかりなので、このＣＤだけでも十分に買う価値があると思いました。また、彼の参加作品を含むディスコグラフィーも大変参考になります。＊ＣＤ収録曲：1. Bullet Rag / 2. Kingpin / 3. J.P. Morgan / 4. Blues For Roy / 5. Country Boy / 6. Intermission Blues / 7. Gotta Call Susie

Yes, some will scream Hendrix or Joplin but my point is Michael Bloomfield never got to the top. He was THE most influential guitarist on the west coast, his playing with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 1966 kicking the San Francisco bands in the rear as they were not tight live acts, and after him come Santana and so many others who loved him. His playing on Highway 61 Revisited is unsurpassable and buttresses Dylan's lyrics perfectly yet, yet, yet Bloomfield only has one Gold Album for his efforts. Read this book and find out what happened. It is a sad story. Drugs are only part of it.

For a while, Mike Bloomfield was regarded as a guitar hero who was easily a match for Eric Clapton,Peter Green, and others emerging as talented contributors to the art of blues improvisation and interpretation. Bloomfield's playing on the first two Paul Butterfield Blues Band albums, as well as sessions for Bob Dylan established his reputation. Then things started to go wrong, as failed musical projects, personal demons, and addictions got the better of him, prompting a long, sad slide to an early death by overdose.Jan Mark Wilkinson and Bill Keenom tell the story of Mike Bloomfield's rise and fall in MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD: IF YOU LOVE THESE BLUES An Oral History, drawing on a rich collection of extracts from interviews with Bloomfield himself and those who knew him. The book incorporates recollections that trace the trajectory of Bloomfield's life from a materially comfortable upbringing to the smoky blues clubs of South Side Chicago, and onward to fame and a hefty portion of misfortune.One of the most valuable aspects of Wolkin and Keenom's book is the way in which its content illustrates a whole music scene, beyond Bloomfield's own part in it.A seven track cd including acoustic and electric performances rounds out the package, which also features a forward by Carlos Santana.

A most welcome biography, which presents accounts from many friends, family and colleagues of the star guitarist. A must buy if you are interested in Bloomfield and there is quite a lot about the Paul Butterfield band as well. Mark Naftalin expresses the view that had Bloomfield stayed in the Butter band, the group could have been huge - like the Stones (unless of course their music wasn't just that bit too good for popular taste)Bloomfield is revealed as a troubled hyper-active individual with a heart of gold, who shied away from money and fame and wasn't really a band leader either. The book is much more about the man than the music and it is fascinating to see the contradicting views expressed - which proves the authenticity of the content. His decline is tragic but he is revealed as a decent likable man - unlike the characters revealed in some other rock guitarists' stories! I say "rock" though Bloomfield was definitely about the blues.On a sociological note it is interesting also to see how the children of immigrant families like Bloomfield (Jewish), Butterfield (Irish) and Nick Gravenites (Greek) were completely relaxed with Afro-Americans in the racially divided society of 1960s America.

Excellent Book, if you are interested in the Blues this is a wonderful oral biography of Mike Bloomfield, as well as the beginnings of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band , as remembered by friends, fellow musicians and family,as well as his own personal recollections of an amazing period in music history. Highly recommended !!