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1958-1965 • 1966-1967 • 1968-1969 • 1970-1974 • 1975-1978 • 1979-1981
Discography & Performance History 1958–1965 MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD is born on July 28, 1943 in Chicago, IL. He receives his first guitar, a 3/4-size Harmony, at age 11 or 12. For his bar mitzvah, at 13, he is given a transistor radio which allows him to tune into gospel and blues broadcasts locally on WVON and over WDIA out of Memphis, among others. Bloomfield meets Josh White at the Gate of Horn, and then, at 14, begins to visit blues clubs on the south side with the help of his and friends’ black maids. He sits in with Muddy Waters and others, and plays his first professional gigs at age 15. 1958 *HAYDEN THOMPSON Thompson, p, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; others unknown. Tally Ho Club, Highwood, IL: 1958
Unknown titles Live performances
Thompson was a “Jerry Lee Lewis imitator” who had recorded for Sun Records in 1953. These were Bloomfield’s first professional performances.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g; Jim Schwall, hca; Roy Ruby, b; probably Vince Vidi, p; Bob Greenspan, g; Jerry Pasternak, d. Chicago, IL: 1958(?) Hurricane Self-produced recording *VINCE VIDI & THEM Personnel as above. PG’s Club 7, Highwood, IL; 1958
Unknown titles Live performances
1959
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g; Bill Spence or Horace Cathcart, v; Bob Greenspan, g; Roy Ruby, b; Jerry Pasternak, d. Dance parties, Spanish Village, Wilmette, IL; 1959-60 Unknown titles Live performance High schoolers would organize beer parties at this abandoned venue – also called the "Ruins" – and Bloomfield and his friends would provide the music. Cathcart was a black soul singer. Thanks to Fred Glaser for this information. 1960 *JAM SESSION Walter Jacobs, hca, v; Chuck Berry, g, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Sunnyland Slim, p; unknown, b; Sam Lay, d. Pride & Joy Club, Chicago, IL; 1960(?) Unknown titles Live performance This is only one of numerous sessions that Bloomfield is reported to have taken part in as a teenager on the south side of Chicago. It’s listed here as an example of the sort of musical company he was keeping in his early years. 1961-63 *MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g. Chicago, IL; various dates, 1961-63 Unknown titles Recordings made by Norman Dayron AFTER playing electric guitar for most of his teen years, in 1961 Bloomfield concentrates almost exclusively on acoustic technique, learning a variety of folk blues, bluegrass and country styles. He collects rare records by artists like Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Chet Atkins, and other country artists as well as sides by traditional blues players. He spends two years listening and picking up their styles. 1962 *MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g, v.
University of Chicago Folk Festival, Chicago, IL: January 1962(?)
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Fred Glaser, hca; (?) Logan, d; others, including a sax player, unknown. The Sink, Boulder, CO; Summer 1962
Limbo Rock Live performances Other unknown titles
*JUDY COLLINS Collins, v, g; Michael Bloomfield, g. Unknown coffee house, Denver, CO; Summer 1962 Unknown titles Live performances Bloomfield and Fred Glaser spent three or four weeks bumming around Colorado in the summer of 1962. They formed a band to play at The Sink in Boulder and Bloomfield sat in with folksinger Collins several times in Denver. Thanks to Fred Glaser for some of this information. *WESTWIND
SINGERS Bloomfield marries Susan Smith on September 4, 1962 in New Buffalo, Michigan. 1963 *MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g, v.
University of Chicago Folk Festival, Chicago, IL: January 1963(?) Montgomery, v, p; Michael Bloomfield, g. The Fickle Pickle, Chicago, IL; Early 1963
Michigan Water Blues “The Best of ...,” Takoma TAKCD-8905-2 Pleadin' Blues
*YANK RACHELL Rachell, v, mand; Hammie Nixon, hca, jug; Sleepy John Estes, Michael Bloomfield, g; Big Joe Williams, g. Chicago, IL; March 31, 1963
Up and Down the Line “Mandolin Blues,” Delmark DL-606 Bye Bye Baby Stop Knockin’ on My Door Doorbell Blues When My Baby Comes Back Home Get Your Morning Exercise Bloomfield plays on the above tunes only. In the SPRING of 1963, Bloomfield, George Mitchell and Pete Welding begin producing Tuesday night blues sessions with Big Joe Williams and other older players at the Fickle Pickle. Norman Dayron records each performance and Michael and his wife, Susan, act as the club's short order cooks. Cass Elliot works there as a waitress. In April Bloomfield meets Bob Dylan when the folksinger performs at Albert Grossman's club The Bear in Chicago.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD
Michael Bloomfield, g, v, hca; Roy Ruby, g. Old Town Street Fair, Chicago, IL: June 8, 1963
Unknown titles Live performance
BLOOMFIELD ARRANGES to perform with Big Joe Williams at Big John’s in the summer of 1963, accompanying him on piano while Charlie Musselwhite plays harmonica. After Williams leaves, Bloomfield forms a band in 1964, known as The Group, and begins performing at Big John’s regularly.
*MICHAEL
BLOOMFIELD
1964 *MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g, hca, v. Norman Dayron’s apartment, Chicago, IL; January 28, 1964
Bullet Rag Recordings by Norman Dayron, issued with Kingpin “If You Love These Blues” by Wolkin & Keenom, J.P. Morgan Miller Freeman Books, 2000 Steel Guitar Rag Steel Guitar Rag, alt. take Since I Met You Baby Other unknown titles
On “Kingpin” and “Steel Guitar Rag,” Bloomfield overdubbed a second guitar part; "Since I Met You, Baby" has a guitar and harmonica part added.
*BIG JOE WILLIAMS Williams, g, v; Michael Bloomfield, b. University of Chicago Folk Festival, Chicago, IL: January 31, 1964
Unknown titles Live performance
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g, v(?); others unknown. Mike Shea's studio(?); Chicago, IL; February 17, 18, 1964
Country Boy Blues Acetate discs Got the Blues Who Killed Cock Robin Tape recording God Don't Like Ugly J.P. Morgan
Other unknown titles(?) *SLEEPY JOHN ESTES Estes, v, g; Yank Rachell, mand; Hammie Nixon, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g. Chicago, IL; March 3, 1964
3 O’clock Morning Blues “Broke and Hungry,” Delmark DS-608 Beale Street Sugar Everybody Oughta Change Broke And Hungry
Bloomfield plays on the these tunes only.
BRIAN JONES’ new group, the Rolling Stones, debuts in England with an eponymously titled release in April 1964. The record features a mix of American R&B, blues and rock covers, including Willie Dixon's “I Just Want to Make Love to You.” Five of its titles were recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago with Ron Malo as engineer and Norman Dayron assisting.
*EDDIE BOYD Boyd, p, v; Michael Bloomfield, g. Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL; May 16, 1964
Five Long Years Recording done for Swedish Radio Her Picture in the Frame Early Grave The Big Question Look Over Yonder’s Wall Interview
*YANK RACHELL Rachell, mand, v; John Lee Granderson, g; Michael Bloomfield, p. Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL; May 16, 1964
Going to Pack Up My Things Recording done for Swedish Radio I Hear My Baby Call My Name My Baby Rocks Me My Baby’s Gone, Soon I’ll Be Gone Myself Interview
*SUNNYLAND SLIM Slim, p; Michael Bloomfield, g. Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL; May 19, 1964
Brownskin Woman Recording done for Swedish Radio It’s You Baby One Room Country Shack Sunnyland’s Jump
The Devil Is a Busy Man
*ST. LOUIS JIMMY Jimmy, hca, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Sunnyland Slim, p; Washboard Sam, washboard. Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL; May 19, 1964
Can’t Stand Your Evil Ways Recording done for Swedish Radio Complete Disorder Poor Boy The Girl I Love
*LITTLE BROTHER MONTGOMERY Montgomery, p, v; Michael Bloomfield, g. Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL; May 21, 1964
West Texas Blues Recording done for Swedish Radio Cow Cow Blues Vicksburg Blues Goin’ Up the Country Suitcase Blues Interview
*WASHBOARD SAM Washboard Sam, washboard, v; Blind John Davis, p; Michael Bloomfield, g; Ransom Knowling, b. Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL; May 1964
Unknown titles Recording done for Swedish Radio(?)
These sessions were produced by Olle Helander for his “I Blueskvarter” radio show in Sweden. They are issued on Jefferson SBACD 12653/4. The Washboard Sam session, recalled by Bob Koester, may have only been an inaccurate collective memory of the other documented dates.
IN JULY 1964 Bloomfield travels to East St. Louis, IL, with Big Joe Williams, a junket chronicled in a spoken narrative by Bloomfield that was recorded by Norman Dayron in the early ’70s. The narrative was transcribed and later published by City Lights in 1980 under the title “Me & Big Joe.” Scott Summerville assisted in bringing the tale to print. A version also appeared in High Times magazine with illustrations by Robert Crumb.
*JOHN HAMMOND Hammond, v, hca, g; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; Robbie Robertson, g; Michael Bloomfield, p; Jimmy Lewis, b; Levon Helm, d. New York, NY; June(?) 1964
Down in the Bottom “So Many Roads,” Vanguard VSD-7917 Long Distance Call Who Do You Love I Want You to Love Me Rambling Blues You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover Gambling Blues Big Boss Man I Wish You Would Come Back, Baby “Mirrors,” Vanguard VSD-79245 Traveling Riverside
Bloomfield plays on the above tunes only. "So Many Roads" was released by Vanguard in 1965 but was probably recorded in the summer of 1964. Bloomfield may have been visiting New York City at the time with his then-sidekick Charlie Musselwhite, sitting in at various folk clubs. He was reportedly intimidated by Robertson’s guitar playing and thus opted to play piano despite Hammond’s desire to have two electric guitars on the session. The real reason may have been that Michael’s electric chops were rusty after having spent two years playing only acoustic blues, and he may not have had an electric guitar with him. Bob Dylan reportedly attended the session after Albert Grossman’s assistant, Mary Martin, told him about a Toronto band he should check out called the Hawks. While there he got reacquainted with Bloomfield (whom he had met earlier in Chicago) and presumably was inspired to call Michael for the “Highway 61” sessions later the following year. Supposedly the ensemble jammed afterwards at a Manhattan club.
*ROBERT NIGHTHAWK Nighthawk, v, g; John Lee Ganderson, g; Michael Bloomfield, v, g(?), interview. Maxwell Street market, Chicago, IL; September 1964
Interview “And This Is Maxwell Street,” Rooster Records Kansas City Dust My Broom Peter Gunn Jam Red Top/Ornithology
*Johnny YOUNG Young, v, mand, g; Michael Bloomfield, g(?); Robert Nighthawk, g. Maxwell Street market, Chicago, IL; September 1964
The Sun Is Shining “And This Is Maxwell Street,” Rooster Records All I Want for My Breakfast
These Maxwell Street performances come from recordings for a film called “And This Is Free,” made in 1964 by Michael Shea with assistance from Bloomfield and Norman Dayron. Patrick Shea, Michael’s son, produced the Rooster release. Dayron recalled that Bloomfield did not play on any of the above selections with the exception of "Red Top/Ornithology," though some critics felt the guitarist on that title was Little Arthur Watson. The Nighthawk material was originally issued by Dayron on a Rounder lp entitled "Robert Nighthawk and His Magic Fingers of Flame: Live on Maxwell Street" in 1981. Guitarist Eric Clapton records as a member of the English blues-rock group the Yardbirds on “5 Live” in the fall of 1964. *THE GROUP Michael Bloomfield, g; Michael Johnson, g; Sid Warner, b; Norm Mayell, d. Big John’s, Chicago, IL; October 15, 1964
Blues for Roy Recording by Norman Dayron, issued with “If You Love These Blues” by Wolkin & Keenom, Miller Freeman Books, 2000
*THE GROUP Michael Bloomfield, g; Michael Johnson, g; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; Sid Warner, b; Norm Mayell, d. Big John’s, Chicago IL; October 15, 1964
Country Boy Recordings by Norman Dayron, issued with Gotta Call Susie “If You Love These Blues” by Wolkin & Keenom, Miller Freeman Books, 2000
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, p. Big John’s, Chicago IL; October 15(?), 1964
Intermission Blues Recording by Norman Dayron, issued with “If You Love These Blues” by Wolkin & Keenom, Miller Freeman Books, 2000
Automobile Blues
BLOOMFIELD’S BAND, The Group, becomes the house band at Magoo’s in Chicago in the fall of 1964.
*DEAN DEWOLF DeWolf, v, g(?); Michael Bloomfield, g(?); others unknown. Chicago IL; 1964
Unknown titles Demo recording
Some sources report that this was the recording that got John Hammond Sr. interested in Bloomfield. This seems doubtful as Joel Harlib, Bloomfield’s agent at the time, reports that he took a tape made from Norman Dayron recordings of Bloomfield to Hammond and that recording caused the producer to arrange the following session. The confusion may stem from the fact that Harlib also managed DeWolf. Bloomfield may not have known DeWolf and probably did not play on the singer’s demo. DeWolf later recorded one album for Chess’ Argo label called “Folk Swinger.” Thanks to Joel Harlib for this information.
*The Group Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Michael Johnson, g; Brian Friedman, p; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; Bob Wolff or Sid Warner, b; Norm Mayell, d.
Big John’s, Chicago, IL; Late November 1964 Columbia Studio A, Chicago, IL; December 7, 1964
I Feel So Good “Essential Blues,” Columbia CK 57631 I Feel So Good, alt. take 1 I Feel So Good, alt. take 2 Goin’ Down Slow Goin’ Down Slow, alt. take 1 I’ve Got You In the Palm Of My Hand I’ve Got You In the Palm Of My Hand, alt. take 1 The First Year I Was Married I’ve Got My Mojo Working Last Night
Norman Dayron produced this session.
Personnel as
December 7; add Tracy Nelson, v.
Auld Lang Syne Live performance
Other unknown titles
*NICK GRAVENITES/MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g, org, p; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. New York, NY; Winter 1964
Born in Chicago “Folksong '65,” Elektra S-78 Born in Chicago, alt. take Lovin’ Cup “What’s Shakin’,” Elektra K-4002 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl One More Mile Spoonful Off the Wall
Jerome Arnold introduces Bloomfield to the music of Eric Clapton, several of whose performances are included on “What’s Shakin’,” in the winter of 1964.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Personnel, location, date as above.
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl ”The Original Lost Elektra Sessions,” Elektra/Rhino R273505 Just to Be With You Help Me Hate to See You Go Poor Boy Nut Popper #1 Everything’s Gonna Be All Right Rock Me It Hurts Me Too Our Love Is Driftin’ Take Me Back Baby* Mellow Down Easy Ain’t No Need to Go No Further* Love Her With a Feeling Piney Brown Blues That’s All Right Goin’ Down Slow
Aural evidence indicates “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” is the same performance as the one issued on “What’s Shakin’.” Mark Naftalin plays organ on “Love Her with a Feeling.” Bloomfield does not play on these titles (*). According to Fred Glaser, at about this time Michael brought his band that now included Brian Friedman, Roy Ruby and Josh Davidson to Columbia in New York to record another demo for Hammond. Friedman returned to Chicago before they could go into the studio, so Bloomfield and his men paid a visit to the Elektra studios to watch Butterfield's recording session. It was there that Paul Rothchild suggested Bloomfield sit in on a few tunes and then told Butterfield he had to hire Michael, saying “This is the band!”
1965
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
BLOOMFIELD buys a 1964 Fender Telecaster to use during his upcoming New York recording sessions. He lacks enough money to purchase a case for it.
*The Group(?) Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Michael Johnson, g; Brian Friedman, p; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; Sid Warner, b; Norm Mayell, d. New York, NY; March 1, 1965
I Got My Mojo Working “Essential Blues,” Columbia CK 57631 I Got My Mojo Working, alt. take I’m Cutting Out Lonesome Blues
While Columbia lists the personnel for this demo session as above, Mike Johnson had no recollection of participating in a New York City recording date with Bloomfield. Perhaps the band was Brian Friedman, Roy Ruby and Josh Davidson as Fred Glaser recalled, but aural evidence suggests that the drummer is Sam Lay. The group may have actually been the Butterfield band (with Musselwhite on harp) backing Bloomfield. They were simply uncredited due to their contract with Elektra and because the date was just a demo session. A photo from the session shows that Butterfield himself was indeed present.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Bill Lee, b; others unknown. New York, NY; Spring(?) 1965
Unknown titles Audition for Columbia
Al Kooper reportedly has a copy of this audition tape which has Bloomfield playing acoustic guitar and scolding bassist Lee and producer John Hammond. It may have come from the March 1 session.
ERIC CLAPTON joins John Mayall’s blues band in April 1965.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Cafe Au Go-Go, New York, NY; Spring (?) 1965
Unknown titles Recordings done over four nights for Elektra
These recordings were made under the direction of Paul Rothchild in an effort to capture the excitement of the Butterfield band in live performance. The resulting material unfortunately did not meet expectations and was not released.
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, hca; Al Gorgoni, Michael Bloomfield, unknown (Al Kooper?), g; Frank Owens, org; Paul Griffin, p; Joseph Macho, Jr., b; Bobby Gregg, d; Bruce Langhorne, tamb. New York, NY; June 15, 16, 1965
Like a Rolling Stone, alt. take Like a Rolling Stone, alt. take It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry “Highway 61 Revisited,” Columbia CS-9189 It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry, alt. take 1 It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry, alt. take 2 Sitting on a Barbed Wire Fence “The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3,” Sony 65302 Sitting on a Barbed Wire Fence, alt. take 1 Sitting on a Barbed Wire Fence, alt. take 2
The unknown guitarist, seen in a photo of this rehearsal session, bears a striking resemblance to Al Kooper. The guitarist apparently played only briefly, as he appears in only one of the pictures.
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g, Al Kooper, org; Harvey Brooks, b, Paul Griffin, p; Bobby Gregg, d. New York, NY; June 16, 1965
Like a Rolling Stone “Highway 61 Revisited,” Columbia CS-9189 Like a Rolling Stone, alt. take Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window “Highway 61 Revisited,” Columbia CS-9189 Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window, alt. take
Bloomfield rehearsed these titles and others for “Highway 61 Revisited” for three days at Dylan’s Woodstock home prior these sessions. He had taken the bus from Chicago to Dylan’s upstate New York home.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD
BLUES BAND
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD
BLUES BAND(?)
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Cafe Au Go-Go, New York, NY; June 27, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
*PAUL
BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
This performance was part of the Friday morning “Blue Guitar” workshop. Bloomfield acted as the emcee along with Mack McCormick for the 2-hour program. An uncredited Sam Lay joins Lightnin’ on the guitarist’s last few tunes.
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g; Michael Bloomfield, g; Al Kooper, org, b; Barry Goldberg, org, p; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; July 25, 1965
Maggie’s Farm “Live in Newport ’65,” Document DR 004 (Bootleg) It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Like a Rolling Stone
Al Kooper plays bass for Jerome Arnold and Barry Goldberg switches to organ on "Rolling Stone." Portions of Dylan’s sound check and set appear in Murray Lerner’s 1967 film “Festival,” in his expanded 2007 release called "The Other Side of the Mirror" and in Martin Scorsese’s 2005 TV special “No Direction Home” (which uses Lerner’s extra footage). This was Dylan's historic first "electric" performance, a controversial fifteen minutes that sharply divided the traditional folk community and led to much criticism of Dylan by acoustic music fans. It also led to the creation of the "folk-rock" sound, a whole new category of popular music. The band rehearsed the music during hastily arranged practice sessions at producer George Wein’s Newport estate on Saturday evening.
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Al Kooper, org; Paul Griffin, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Bobby Gregg or Sam Lay, d. New York, NY; July 29, 1965
Tombstone Blues “Highway 61 Revisited,” Columbia CS-9189 Tombstone Blues, alt. take Positively 4th Street “Greatest Hits,” Columbia KCS-9463 Positively 4th Street, alt. take It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Cafe Au Go-Go, New York, NY; July 29, 30, 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
An ad in the Village Voice for these performances promotes the band as “just back from Newport.”
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Al Kooper, org; Paul Griffin, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Bobby Gregg, d. New York, NY; July 30, 1965
From a Buick 6 “Highway 61 Revisited,” Columbia CS-9189 From a Buick 6, alt. take 1 From a Buick 6, alt. take 2 Ballad of a Thin Man Queen Jane Approximately
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, p, hca; Al Gorgoni, Michael Bloomfield, g; Al Kooper, org; Paul Griffin, Frank Owens, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Bobby Gregg or Sam Lay, d. New York, NY; August 2, 1965
Highway 61 Revisited “Highway 61 Revisited,” Columbia CS-9189 Highway 61 Revisited, alt. take Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, alt. take Desolation Row
PAUL
BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
*Chuck Berry Berry, v, g; Paul Butterfield or Peter Hogan, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Johnny Johnson, p; Chuck Bernard, b; Jasper Thomas, d. Chicago, IL; September 3, 1965
It Wasn’t Me “Fresh Berrys,” Chess LP 1498 Ain’t That Just Like a Woman Sad Days and Long Nights Chess CRL 4506
Butterfield and Bloomfield may have been overdubbed on this session at a later date.
*PETER, PAUL AND MARY Peter Yarrow, v, g; Michael Bloomfield, g; Paul Butterfield, hca; Mark Naftalin, org; Bill Lee, b; Buddy Saltzman, d. New York, NY; 1965
The King of Names “Album,” Warner Bros. WS-1648
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d, v. New York, NY; September 9, other dates, 1965
Shake Your Money Maker “The Paul Butterfield Blues Band,” Elektra K-294 Born in Chicago Blues with a Feeling Thank You Mr. Poobah I Got My Mojo Working (SL, v) Mellow Down Easy Last Night Screamin’ Our Love Is Drifting Mystery Train Look Over Yonder’s Wall Other unknown titles
Mark Naftalin, who played piano occasionally with
Butterfield in Chicago at University of Chicago twist parties, was added to the
band during this session. In his liner notes for the above CD, producer Paul
Rothchild seemed to suggest that other titles from this session remain unissued. *PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Philadelphia Folk Festival, Paoli, PA; September 11, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
As at Newport, audiences in Paoli were not prepared for the loud, electric sound of the Butterfield Band. Some listeners reportedly got up and ran from the stage, shouting, “Shut it off!”
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Big John’s, Chicago, IL; 5-6 week run, October/November 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
BLOOMFIELD replaces his white 1964 Fender Telecaster with a gold 1954 Gibson Les Paul as his primary guitar in the fall of 1965. During their November/December stay in Boston at about this time, the Butterfield Band begins to play a long instrumental based in part on Indian classical music called “The Raga." Its bass line is derived from an extended version of Nick Gravenites’ tune “It’s About Time” which he and Bloomfield had developed in 1964.
*Nick Gravenites Gravenites, v, g; Lester Bowie, tp; Julian Priester, tbn; Roscoe Mitchell, as; Elvin Bishop, Michael Bloomfield(?), g; Paul Butterfield, hca; Erwin Helfer, harpsichord; Scotty Holt, b; Steve McCall, d. Michael Shea's studio, Chicago, IL; Fall 1965
Whole Lotta Soul Out of Sight Records Drunken Boat
Mark
Naftalin reports that aural evidence indicates Bishop is present on one of these
titles but Bloomfield does not play on either of them. This was the first
session Norman Dayron produced on his own;
Dayron confirms that Bloomfield was not present. *DICK CAMPBELL Campbell, v, rhm g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jimmy Vincent, Michael Bloomfield, 12-string g; Paul Butterfield, hca; Peter Cetera, b; Marty Grebb, perc; Sam Lay, Larry Wrice, d. Chicago, IL; Fall(?) 1965
Sandi “Sings Where It's At,” Mercury SR61060 Despairs Cafeteria You've Got to Be Kidding Don Juan of the Western World Object of Derision Aphrodite's Child The Blues Peddlers The People Planners Approximately Four Minutes of Feeling Sorry for D.C.
Same or similar personnel as above. Chicago, IL; November 1965
Ask Me If I Care “Sings Where It's At,” Mercury SR61060 Where Were You Girls Named Misery
This recording by folksinger Campbell was Mercury's attempt to cash in on the success Columbia was having with Bob Dylan.
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, hca; Michael Bloomfield(?), g; probably Robbie Robertson, g; Richard Manuel, p; Garth Hudson, org; Rick Danko, b; Mickey Jones, d. Music Hall, Cleveland, OH; November 12, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
A fan reported Bloomfield’s presence at this concert. In “If You Love These Blues,” Mark Naftalin recalled staying with Sam Lay’s family in Cleveland on the band’s way to the Unicorn gig, so it is quite possible that Bloomfield could have made an appearance at Dylan’s Music Hall show.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d. Unicorn, Boston, MA; November 12-December 12, 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
Mark Naftalin reported that the band had a 5 to 6 week run at the Unicorn in the fall of 1965. The above dates are from advertisements; the duration of the run may have actually been longer.
Personnel as above Town Hall, New York, NY; November 27, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as above; omit Lay, add Bill Warren, d. The Chessmate Gallery, Detroit, MI; December 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
Bill Warren had been hired to replace the ailing Sam Lay and may have been the band’s drummer for this and the following engagement. His style was deemed unsuitable for the group after only one week and he was replaced by Billy Davenport by the time the band got to California.
Personnel as above;
add Billy Davenport(?) for Bill Warren.
*BOB DYLAN Dylan, v, g, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Al Kooper, org; probably Robbie Robertson, g; Richard Manuel, p; Rick Danko, b; Mickey Jones, d. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, CA; December 19, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
A fan reported Kooper's and Bloomfield’s presence at this concert.
1958-1965 • 1966-1967 • 1968-1969 • 1970-1974 • 1975-1978 • 1979-1981 © 2008 David Dann |
Michael Bloomfield Discography & Performance History • Sources
A selection of remembrances of Michael Bloomfield from contributors to this site
A detailed look at the studio and live versions of the Butterfield Blues Band's "East-West"
An interview with producer Norman Dayron by Ralph Heibutzki
A check list of currently available recordings by Michael Bloomfield © 2008 David Dann |
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