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1958-1965 • 1966-1967 • 1968-1969 • 1970-1974 • 1975-1978 • 1979-1981 Previous • Next • Printable version
Discography & Performance History 1968–1969
*The
ELECTRIC FLAG
Wine
Probably Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, org, bar; Nick Gravenites, v, g. Cheetah, Venice, CA; Early 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Probably Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, org, bar; Nick Gravenites, v, g. Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; January 25-27, 1968
Sweet Talkin' Woman Live performance She Should Have Just Messin' with the Kid Goin' Down Slow The Night Time Is the Right Time I've Been Loving You Too Long Hold On, I'm Comin' You Don't Realize Medley: Sweet Soul Music/Keep A-Knockin'/The Things That I Used to Do/ Fannie Mae
Herbie Rich may be the vocalist on "Sweet Talkin' Woman."
Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; February 2-4, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as February 2. Earl Warren Show Grounds, Santa Barbara, CA; February 8, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as February 2. Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA; February 10, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Jimi Hendrix was the headliner at this concert. Harvey Brooks and Buddy Miles jammed with Hendrix after Jimi's sound check. One source reports that Bloomfield, Brooks and David Crosby also joined Hendrix to jam, possibly during Jimi’s performance.
Personnel as February 2; add Stemzie Hunter, bar, as. Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; February 17-19(?), 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
*MOBY GRAPE Jerry Miller, g; Michael Bloomfield, p; Bob Mosley, b; Don Stevenson, d. New York, NY; Early February(?) 1968
Marmalade “Grape Jam,” Columbia MGS-1
“Grape Jam” was included as a premium with Moby Grape’s “Wow.” Al Kooper, who plays piano on another title on the recording, was inspired by “Grape Jam” to record “Super Session.”
*JIMI HENDRIX Hendrix, g, v; Noel Redding, b, v; Mitch Mitchell, d; plus members of the Electric Flag. Scene Club, New York, NY; February 20, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Flag
members who sat in with Hendrix during this performance probably included Buddy
Miles, but Bloomfield may have performed as well. He was producing the following
James Cotton recording in New York on February 20.
*The ELECTRIC FLAG Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Stemzie Hunter, bar, as; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, org, bar; Nick Gravenites, v, g. Anderson Theater, New York, NY; February 23, 24, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
AL Kooper’s rock band with horns, Blood, Sweat & Tears, releases “Child Is Father to the Man” in February 1968. Another rock/horn band, the Chicago Transit Authority, will not issue its debut recording until April 1969.
Personnel as February 23. Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA; March 2, 1968
Hey Joe Live performance Higher & Higher Drivin’ Wheel Other unknown titles
Personnel as February 23.
Cafe Au Go Go, New York, NY; March 7-17, 1968
Hey Joe(?) Live performances Uptight(?) Other unknown titles
Jimi Hendrix,
Paul Butterfield and Elvin Bishop jammed with members of the Flag at the Cafe Au
Go Go on March 17; Bloomfield apparently did not participate. An ad in the Village Voice for
this appearance touts the Flag’s “soon to be released” Columbia recording with a
version of the album’s cover that omits the female model. Murray Kaufman, int; Michael Bloomfield, v. WOR Studios, New York, NY; March(?) 1968
Interview Radio broadcast
Bloomfield was reportedly interviewed by Murray “the K” on his program at about this time (probably on his radio show). Bloomfield raved about Blood, Sweat and Tears.
Personnel as above. Cheetah, Venice, CA; March 31, April 1, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as March 31. Winterland Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; April 3, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as March 31. Earl Warren Show Grounds, Santa Barbara, CA; April 6, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
BLOOMFIELD is interviewed in late February 1968 for a two-part article that appears in the April 6 and 27, 1968 issues of Rolling Stone. He is outspoken on race and music, blues and rock and roll, critical of the San Francisco music scene, and is hailed as “one of the handful of the world’s finest guitarists.”
*THE
ELECTRIC FLAG
Anaheim Convention
Center, Anaheim, CA; April 11, 1968
Personnel as April 11. Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA; April 12, 13, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as April
12; add Virgil Gonsalves, bar; unknown, tp. Personnel as April 12. Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; April 25, 1968
Stevie Wonder tune(?)
Live performance
Personnel as April 12. Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; April 26, 27, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Albert King was also on the roster for this performance.
Bloomfield later told interviewer Tom Yates that this festival concert was one of the Flag's best live performances. "I wish our record had been as good as that show," he said.
Personnel as April 28. San Diego State University, San Diego, CA; May 3, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
A poster for this performance only lists Michael Bloomfield and does not mention the Electric Flag, but an fan who attended the show said it was indeed a Flag performance.
*The ELECTRIC FLAG Probably Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Herbie Rich, org; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Stemzie Hunter, as, bar; Peter Strazza, ts; Nick Gravenites, v, g. Cheetah, Venice, CA; May 10, 11, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as May 10. Whisky A-Go Go, Los Angeles, CA; May 10-16, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Advertisements indicate that the Flag played both the Cheetah and the Whisky on May 10 and 11. Christopher Hjort reports that Eric Clapton caught the Flag’s set at the Cheetah on May 10.
Personnel as May 10. Pops Festival '68, College of San Mateo, San Mateo, CA; May 12, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
IN AN INTERVIEW published in the May 11, 1968 issue of Rolling Stone, Eric Clapton cites two major influences on himself as a person – Bob Dylan and Michael Bloomfield. He says Bloomfield’s “way of thinking really shocked me the first time I met him and spoke to him. I never met anyone with so many strong convictions.” In the same issue, columnist Ralph Gleason takes Bloomfield to task for statements made during Michael’s recent interview in the magazine. The column is entitled “Stop This Shuck, Michael Bloomfield.”
*The ELECTRIC FLAG Santa Clara Pop Festival, San Jose, CA; May 18, 1968
Soul Searchin' Bootleg CD Groovin' Is Easy Hey Joe Sweet Home Chicago Killing Floor Texas/Another Country
Personnel as May 18. Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; May 17-19, 1968
Soul Searchin’ “San Francisco, 1968,” Bootleg CD Milk Cow Blues Groovin’ Is Easy Untitled Instrumental #1 Untitled Instrumental #2 Texas It Takes Time I’ve Been Loving You Another Country/Ain’t No Doctor Don’t You Lie to Me Soul Searchin’
“Another Country” fades after the tune’s free passage begins. “Ain’t No Doctor” is actually a partial version of “Goin’ Down Slow.” This two-part show took place on May 18 and must have followed the Flag’s 3 p.m. appearance at the Santa Clara Pop Festival. Bloomfield was apparently late getting to the Carousel after the San Jose gig and arrived on stage in the middle of the early show version of “Soul Searchin’.” He attempted a solo but gave up due to his guitar being out of tune; a lengthy tune-up session followed. Additional horns seem to be present on the late show version of “Soul Searchin.’”
Personnel as May 18. Folk Rock Cafe, San Jose, CA; May 19, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as May 18.
Personnel as May 18. Robertson Gym, UC Berkeley, CA; May 24, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Cream was the featured group at this performance.
Personnel as May 18. Selland Arena, Fresno, CA; May 25, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD/AL KOOPER Michael Bloomfield, g; Kooper, org, ondioline, v; Barry Goldberg, el p; Harvey Brooks, b; Eddie Hoh, d; unknown horn section. Los Angeles, CA; May 28, 1968
Albert’s Shuffle* “Super Session,” Columbia CS-9701 Stop* Man’s Temptation* His Holy Modal Majesty Really Blues for Nothing “Super Session,” Columbia CK-64611
Bloomfield left this session after the first day and only 6 hours in the studio due to a severe case of insomnia. Horns arranged by Joe Scott were added by Kooper to these titles (*) in the studio at a later date. “Blues for Nothing” is an alternate take of “Albert’s Shuffle" without horns. “Super Session” was released in late August 1968 and climbed to number 13 on Billboard’s pop charts.
*The ELECTRIC FLAG Michael Bloomfield(?), g, v; probably Harvey Brooks, b; Herbie Rich, org(?); Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Stemzie Hunter, as; Peter Strazza, ts; Nick Gravenites, v, g. University of California, Santa Barbara, CA; May 29, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Fillmore East, New York, NY; June 7, 8, 1968
Soul Searchin' Live performances Killing Floor Other titles unknown
A New York Times review of this performance describes it as Bloomfield’s “farewell appearance” with the band. Rolling Stone reported that Bloomfield played this last gig as a favor to Bill Graham and that "it cost him dearly" to get out of the Flag, presumably in advance money owed Albert Grossman and other band-related expenses. According to John Kay of Steppenwolf, Bloomfield and the guitarist replacing him in the Flag performed together for this appearance (Steppenwolf shared the bill). Hoshal Wright was the Flag’s guitarist after Bloomfield left. Jimi Hendrix sat in with the Flag after the late show on June 8 but Bloomfield reportedly left the stage earlier and did not perform with him.
Personnel as June 8; omit Bloomfield(?). Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, CA; June 14-16, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel after June 8 probably didn’t include Bloomfield despite his name appearing with the Flag in advertisements.
Personnel as June 14. Hippodrome, San Diego, CA; June 21, 22, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as June 14. Kaleidoscope, Hollywood, CA; June 28, 1968
MILES DAVIS praises Bloomfield’s “Over-Lovin’ You” from “A Long Time Comin’” in the June 27, 1968 Downbeat magazine Blindfold Test by Leonard Feather. In a Rolling Stone interview from December 13, 1969, Davis comments that when Bloomfield “plays for blacks, his shit comes out black,” and that if one “put [Bloomfield] with James Brown, he’d be a motherfucker.”
Unknown titles Live performance
*The ELECTRIC FLAG
Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA; July 9-11, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as July 9. Sound Factory, Sacramento, CA; July 26, 27, 1968
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as July 9. Newport Pop Festival, Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA; August 3, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Although a fan reported seeing Bloomfield play with the Flag at the Newport Pop Festival, Michael had definitely left the band by this time. Frank Macias, who was at the show, confirms (to his great disappointment) that Bloomfield did not perform that afternoon and that another guitarist played with the Flag.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD JAM BAND Michael Bloomfield, g, v; probably Mark Naftalin, p; John Kahn, b; Bob Jones, d; Nick Gravenites, v; members of the Ace of Cups, bckd vocals. Palace of Fine Arts Festival, San Francisco, CA; August 31, 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
Bloomfield’s group was an unbilled addition to this festival. He invited the Ace of Cups up to perform a few tunes and they laughingly referred to themselves as “the Bloomettes.”
*BARRY GOLDBERG & Friends Goldberg, p, org, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Eddie Hinton, g; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; David Hood, b; Eddie Hoh, d; unknown horn section, vocal group. Los Angeles, CA or Quin Ivy Studio, Muscle Shoals, AL; 1968
That’s Alright, Mama “Two Jews Blues,” Buddah BDS 5029 Maxwell Street Shuffle Blues for Barry and ... (Dedicated to Big John’s) Jimi the Fox (Dedicated to Jimi Hendrix) On the Road Again
Bloomfield does not play on the other titles on this session. He is listed only as “The Great” on the original release. The album came out the winter/spring of 1969.
*MOTHER EARTH Tracy Nelson, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; John Andrews, g; Barry Goldberg, org; Mark Naftalin, p; Bob Arthur, b; George Rains, d. The Earthettes, bgnd v. San Francisco(?), CA; 1968
Mother Earth “Living With The Animals,” Mercury SR-61194
Bloomfield is listed on this release as “Makel Blumfeld.” According to bassist Bob Arthur, Bloomfield recorded “Mother Earth” with the band in the studio while lying on his back the entire time. Thanks to Frank Macias for this information.
*WAYNE TALBERT & THE MELTING POT
Kooper, org, v; Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Roosevelt Gook, p; John Kahn, b; Skip Prokop, d. Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; September 26-28, 1968
Opening Speech “The Live Adventures of ...,” Columbia CS 9742 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) I Wonder Who Her Holy Modal Highness The Weight Mary Ann Together ’Til the End of Time That’s All Right, Mama Green Onions Dear Mr. Fantasy Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong Finale – Refugee Fat Grey Cloud “Super Session,” Columbia CK-64611
Bloomfield was unable to complete this gig due to another severe case of insomnia, causing Kooper to get Elvin Bishop and Carlos Santana as replacements. Paul Simon overdubbed the harmony part later in the studio on “59th Street Bridge Song.” Roosevelt Gook is a pseudonym for Al Kooper; Kooper overdubbed the piano parts later. “Grey Cloud” was Bloomfield’s nickname for Albert Grossman. Cover art for the album, according to Rolling Stone, was originally to be a picture of the group “jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.” The two-record set was released in late February 1969.
*James Cotton BLUES BAND Cotton, v, hca; Luther Tucker, g, v; Michael Bloomfield, prod, g, org; Mark Naftalin, p; Bob Anderson, b; Barry Smith, d; Joe Newman, tp; Garnett Brown, tbn; Bill Nugent, ts. New York, NY; October 1968
The Coach’s Better Days “Cotton In Your Ears,” Verve FTS-3060 Back to St. Louis With You on My Mind (LT, v) Take Me by the Hand
Bloomfield produced this session and appears to play on the above titles. The blues “Tell Me Partner,” a Bloomfield composition recorded by Cotton here, was performed by Bloomfield and Al Kooper in New York on December 13 or 14.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD
Kooper, org, v; Michael Bloomfield, g, v; unknown b, d. Boston Garden, Boston, MA; Winter(?) 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD & FRIENDS Michael Bloomfield, g, v; probably Mark Naftalin, p; Ira Kamin, org; John Kahn, b; Bob Jones, d; Nick Gravenites, v. Winterland, San Francisco, CA; Winter 1968
Unknown titles Live performance
*OTIS RUSH Rush, g, v; Duane Allman, Jimmy Johnson, g; Nick Gravenites, Michael Bloomfield, prod; Mark Naftalin, org; Barry Beckett, kybds; Jerry Jemmott, b; Roger Hawkins, d; Memphis Horns. Muscle Shoals, AL; Late November/early December 1968
Various titles “Mourning In The Morning,” Cotillion SD-9006
*CANNED HEAT
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD/AL KOOPER Kooper, org, p, v; Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Johnny Winter, g, v; Paul Harris, p; Jerry Jemmott, b; John Cresci, d. Fillmore East, New York, NY; December 13, 14, 1968
Bloomfield’s Introduction “Fillmore East: The Lost Concert Tapes,” Columbia CK-85278 One Way Out | ||
