Mike Bloomfield

I have heard Mike Bloomfield described as ‘The American Alexis Korner’ and, while he didn’t have the far reaching impact that Korner did on the UK Blues scene, Bloomfield was instrumental in making the more traditional forms of Blues popular in the US.

These two releases catch very different sides of Mike Bloomfield: ‘Don’t Say That I Ain’t Your Man’ which sees a 5 year span including numbers with the Butterfield Blues Band and his seminal ‘Super Session’ with Al Kooper. and ‘Live At Bill Graham’s Fillmore West’ featuring a number of his contemporaries including Taj Mahal, Nick Gravenites and Snooky Flowers.

‘Don’t Say I Ain’t Your Man’ covers 5 years from 1964 to 1969 and the first thing that hits you is just how he fires out guitar solos with ease and, for someone supposedly not happy with his voice, how natural his vocals are. The production on the first few numbers by the legendary John Hammond definitely helps to bring out his sound. The first 5 tracks feature Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and his soulful blowing sets against Bloomfield’s rocking guitar. ‘Goin’ Down Slow’ is classic and his vocal is just raw enough to give the number real life. ‘Born In Chicago’ is a track by the Butterfield Blues Band and you begin to hear a more soulful side to his sound, Paul Butterfield blowing a mean harp. His stint with the Electric Flag sees a great version of Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Killing Floor’ – Nick Gravenites vocals are definitely better than Bloomfield’s but his guitar solo, driven by Buddy Miles powerhouse drumming, is superb.
All told, there are 15 tracks on the set and not one of them is disposable.

‘Live At Bill Graham’s Fillmore West’ is a live session recorded, as the name suggests, at the Fillmore Auditorium. To be honest, I wore out my vinyl copy of this classic years ago and listening to it now it is amazing how fresh it sounds. The playing is stunning, whether it is Bloomfield’s lead guitar, Ira Kamlin on organ, Bob Jones on drums or the guest stars Nick Gravenites, Taj Mahal or Jesse Davis. The album represents a very hot night in San Francisco and definitely is one of the absolute best releases of a man who passed away far too early in 1981 at the age of 37.

Frankly, I would have to say that these are essential but if you have to choose then the ‘Fillmore’ album is a wonder.