DOWNLOADS

Andy Warhol's Bad

Music by Michael Bloomfield

This 1977 release starred Carroll Baker, Perry King and Susan Tyrrell, and featured music by Michael Bloomfield. A sardonic study in bad taste, black humor and wacky excess in the style of John Waters, the film's plot concerns a beautician who runs a side business providing hitwomen for a series of unsavory customers. Long unavailable, the movie has recently been issued on DVD with Bloomfield's soundtrack intact. Download

The segments are:

1. Bad Theme  2. On the Street  3. On the Phone  4. In the Bar  5. Marsha and Glenda  6. In the Garage

7. Feel Better  8. Bad Theme  9. Five Dollar Bill  10. Pyromaniac  11. Murder, part 1  12. Murder, part 2

13. Beauty  14. Bad Theme

The Best of the Boots 1966-74

Michael Bloomfield in Performance

This best-of CD was assembled for visitors to this website from the numerous live recordings that exist of Mike Bloomfield playing with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Electric Flag and Michael Bloomfield & Friends. The material will be familiar to most long-time Bloomfield fans, but for those just learning about the guitarist, it will serve as a sampler of Mike's extraordinary talent. While the selections are by no means definitive, each tune captures Mike at his best, and though the sound quality varies, the playing never does. Download

The tunes are:

1. Our Love Is Driftin’ – Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, Sept. 30, 1966

2. Work Song – Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Unicorn Coffee House, Boston, Spring 1966

3. Willow Tree – Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, Sept. 30, 1966

4. Messin’ with the Kid – Electric Flag: Psychedelic Supermarket, Boston, Sept. 22, 1967

5. Texas – Electric Flag: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, Dec. 8, 1967

6. Groovin’ Is Easy – Electric Flag: Santa Clara Pop Festival, San Jose, May 18, 1968

7. Born In Chicago – Mike Bloomfield & Friends: Fillmore West, San Francisco, Feb. 1, 1969

8. Driftin’ & Driftin’ – Mike Bloomfield & Friends: Swing Auditorium, San Bernadino, February 19, 1971

9. One More Mile – Barry Goldberg & Friends: Shrine Auditorium(?), Los Angeles, 1969

10. Sweet Little Angel – Mike Bloomfield & Friends: U. of Miami, Coral Gables, Apr. 4, 1974

11. Never Be Lonely – Mike Bloomfield & Friends: Bottom Line, New York, Mar. 31, 1974

Rara Avis: The Unheard Bloomfield

Michael Bloomfield in Performance

HERE IS A SELECTION of rare Bloomfield performances, many of which have never been heard before. They come from a variety of sources and vary in sound quality, but each offers an example of  the remarkable range and depth of Michael's guitar virtuosity. Of particular note is "It's About Time." While the sound is poor, Bloomfield's playing is extraordinary. Download

1. Work Song (excerpt) | Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Golden Bear(?), Huntington Beach, CA; February(?) 1967

2. Untitled Samba | Michael Bloomfield (overdubbed duet)

Reed Street home recording; early 1970s

3. Why I’m Goin’ to Memphis | Michael Bloomfield (overdubbed duet)

Reed Street home recording; early 1970s

4. It’s About Time | Electric Flag

The Cheetah(?), Venice, CA; Spring 1968

5. Basin Street | Michael Bloomfield & Mark Naftalin

Neutral Grounds Coffee House(?), New Orleans, LA; Spring 1976 or 1977

6. Small Walk-in Box | Michael Bloomfield & Nick Gravenites (g)

Pipeline Tavern, Seattle, WA; March 10, 1976

7. Little Wing | Michael Bloomfield & Jon Cramer (p)

Reed Street home recording; probably 1973

8. Maria Elena | Michael Bloomfield & Friends

My Father’s Place, Roslyn, NY; October 20, 1978

9. It Ain’t Nobody’s Business | Michael Bloomfield & Friends

Unknown venue, town, OR; 1976(?)

10. Rockin’ in the Same Old Boat | Michael Bloomfield & Friends

Catalyst Club, Santa Cruz, CA; September 5, 1976

11. I’m Droppin’ Out on You | Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Unknown venue, location (possibly from the BBC's Ready, Steady, Go broadcast); Winter 1966(?)

RADIO SHOW

Michael Bloomfield: An American Guitarist

His Life and Legacy, Parts 1-4

This series was a four-hour radio broadcast originally heard over WJFF 90.5 FM, Jeffersonville, NY, on July 27, 2008, in celebration of Michael Bloomfield's 65th birthday anniversary. The program was produced and hosted by author and historian David Dann and featured the voices of Allen Bloomfield, Toby Byron, Norman Dayron, Mark Naftalin and others, plus hard-to-find performances by Bloomfield, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Bob Dylan and others. Download the show from the links listed below.

PART I • THE EARLY YEARS  |  Download

1. Introduction

2. Beginnings: Allen Bloomfield / “Roy’s Blues”

3. Meeting Mike: Norman Dayron / “Bullet Rag”

4. John Hammond: Norman Dayron / The Group /

“I’ve Got You in the Palm of My Hand”

5. Butterfield: Mark Naftalin / “Nut Popper #1” / “Thank You Mr. Poobah”

6. Dylan: Michael on Bob Dylan / “It Takes a Train to Laugh”

7. Newport: “Born in Chicago” / “Like a Rolling Stone”

8. Joining Butter: “I’ve Got a Mind to Give Up Living”

PART II • BUTTERFIELD & THE FLAG  |  Download

1. Introduction

2. Creating East-West: Mark Naftalin / “East-West”

3. Michael on East-West: Michael Bloomfield / Toby Byron

4. San Francisco: Toby Byron / “Willow Tree”

5. Leaving Butterfield: Forming the Electric Flag

6. The Flag: Norman Dayron / “Peter’s Trip”

7. Monterey: Norman Dayron / “The Night Time Is the Right Time” / Toby Byron

8. A Long Time Comin’: Toby Byron / “Texas”

PART III • GUITAR GOD NO MORE |  Download

1. Introduction

2. Another Country: “Another Country”

3. Super Session: Toby Byron / “Albert’s Shuffle”

4. Leaving the Flag: Toby Byron / Michael Bloomfield

5. Fillmore: Forming & Friends / “Born in Chicago”

6. Fathers & Sons: “Blow Wind Blow” / “The Ones I Loved Are Gone”

7. Getting Rusty: Michael Bloomfield / Mark Naftalin

8. MB & Friends: “Sweet Little Angel”

PART IV • THE LAST YEARS  |  Download

1. Introduction

2. Side Projects: Triumvirate / Flag Reunion

3. Try It Before You Buy It: Toby Byron / “When It All Comes Down”

4. Duets: Mark Naftalin / “At the Cross”

5. If You Love These Blues: Michael Bloomfield / “Death in My Family” / “Thrift Shop Rag”

6. Takoma Sessions: Norman Dayron / “Mr. Johnson & Mr. Dunn”

7. Old Waldorf: Michael Bloomfield / Norman Dayron / “Kid Man Blues”

8. Acoustic Playing: “I’m Glad I’m Jewish” / “Greatest Gifts from Heaven”

9. Bloomfield / Harris: “Have Thine Own Way”

10. Dylan Calls: “Like a Rolling Stone”

11. Farewell: “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” / Allen Bloomfield