Mike Bloomfield "BLUES ON THE WESTSIDE" Live PART 1

[whitetigress123]

Anybody remember MB playing at the Lion's Share on the Miracle Mile in San Rafael? I saw him there a couple of times in the mid-seventies, a tiny place. He really lit it up and I for one am grateful I got to see him play in such a warm setting. Wonder if anybody recorded it. It was great.

[TheYellaDawg]

I've always thought that, if Mike had not burned so hot, he might still be around today, giving us all lessons. But I'm still grateful to have heard him play and shaken his hand. He was personally unassuming and totally brilliant at the same time. This has to be one of his very finest performances.

[blusmahn]

This whole concert is available on CD as Mike Bloomfield and friends Live at Filmore West (the new expanded mix) and also on Nick Gravenites MY LABORS an Import at Amazon.You might want to pick up both as they are VERY reasonable and MY LABORS has a cut missing from Mike and friends.The mixes are a tad bit different on both CDs but both feature Nick Gravenites and Bloomfield at their finest!!!!!

[Canttakeit1111]

I was a close friend of Elvin Bishop when we both were at the University of Chgo. I met Mike through Elvin and I was impressed by how humble and unassuming the man was. If anything, the passage of time has not lessened my recall of Mike's generous nature and his total immersion in music of all types. I doubt that he'd be happy with the comparisons of the relative musical worth of the various guitarists whose names have been bandied about. Just sit back and enjoy all of it.

[cameltooth1]

Clapton might have been influenced by Bloomer and many others were too, but none of the them fuckin' sound anything like him. Mike played exotic scales and things that other blues guitarist don't even try. As far as Peter Green, he sounds cool on some Mayall stuff. So many other guitarist get too much credit for being so basic. B.B. is the coolest, most influencial and Albert King is more revered. WHY?

[darc1362]

It's so beautiful to see all the LIKES and no dislikes. Mike would have loved it too. RIP great one.

[yungsu100]

I DONT THINK LABELING ONE WITH JUNKIE OR DRUG ADDICT IS A PROPER ETICHETT OR WHO IS A BETTER PLAYER BOTH GREEN AND MIKE HAD ENORMOUS GIFT FROM GOD ,PETER IS ALIVE I DONT THINK HE WOULD APPRECIATE THE COMMENT OR MIKE WOULD LIKE THE COMMENT ABOUT PETER ALL SHOLD RESPECT ONE FOR WHO THEY ARE

BLUES COMMUNITY IS A SMALL ONE ALL LOVE IS ONLY THING THAT IS TOLERATED

[putdownan8dude]

@yungsu100 you're right mike was an incredibly gracious fellow. even to those who didn't deserve his kindness. RIP

[gingervytis]

this MB guitar solo always makes me get dust in my eyes. it's such a powerful expression, building very slowly then releasing us with a sigh... not many instrumentalists have this intuitive gift.

[rrrtbds12223]

first video ive seen with NO thumbs down.

[Hawkeye62158]

Reminds me a lot of B. B. King...

[Klapowner]

He has the same guitar as I!! :D

[outjazzer]

now THIS is Mike Bloomfield..damn man..real nice recording..wish there was more of this..the whole feel..he had it.

[JimBowie1133]

a real chicago blues playin motherfucker

[Gurdow]

If Bloomfield isn't the greatest guitarist, he's the greatest blues guitarist. If' he's not the greatest blues guitarist, he's the greatest white guitarist. If he isn't the greatest white guitarist, then he's the greatest Jewish guitarist. Bottom line: he is the greatest "something" RIP Bloomfield, you're music will always live on

[lanes58]

@Gurdow The ride that he takes at 6:45 completely slays me today like it did 30 years ago. Nobody has and ever will, play slow electric Chicago style blues like Bloomers. Thats not just my opinion...it just happens to be reality.

[Westcoasttony]

@lanes58 Amen brotha! Nobody could drench a note with as much feeling as Bloomers.  Still my all time fave.

[boyoyify]

Very smooth and mellow, I like it very much.

[GregTheBunny100]

Man, I don't know why it took me so long to find Mike Bloomfield. Huge blues fan, and this guy has a tone that is surreal.

[mslindafreeman]

wow great sound! My first time to hear him, I am dumbfounded! Love everything about this band, kick ass bass and rythem section, guitar is amazing, voice is perfect

lots of talent on this stage. I'll be looking for more to come

[delazzuro]

ive only recently started listening to Mike Bloomfields music and i am blown away!!

[jfellowskats]

R there any Videos were Mike is on A Video Actually Performing, good Xample of Mr Bloomfield's superb playing though

[Astonyshing]

Really glad that so much of Mike's music has turned up on here. Superb.

[rcfriscoflyer]

Nick G is an asshole

[Xelanderthomas]

Ok, who do you think is the most underrated blues guitar genius; Mike Bloomfield or Peter Green?

[LateNotes]

@Xelanderthomas two true joo blue gods.

[Xelanderthomas]

@LateNotes

I would have never had the chutzpah to say that. ;-) lol

[saxby01]

Sounds like a pub band.

[LateNotes]

@saxby01 i wanna go to that pub then.

[BluzzGroove]

Perfect example of what most players today are missing....taking their time. I call it "breathing". I guess it's probably just plain "Soul". You either get it or not. Mike had it all. Phrasing, style, intensity when called for and sexy smoothness as required. Listen to the whole band. Its stone blues man and it makes you feel that way.

Sadly the only time I saw him live in a very small club here in Montreal he was so high he played terrible. I felt betrayed. Stupid me.

[stonemojo]

Please give us part II the performance is just getting beter and then it abruptly ends :(

[stonemojo]

Please give us part II the performance is just getting beter and then it abruptly ends :(

[ZINEDINE05]

@stonemojo Part 2 is posted. Don't know why you didn't find it.

[donnyob123]

Les Paul----- guitar cord-------Amp. No effects. For his monstrous tone, he relied on his talent.

[johngoo343]

@donnyob123 thats why he was so good

[NYVOLVO]

If one playfully can say there´s arcitypical way of playing blues on electric guitarr, it would be as Mike played. He had such an elegant, imaginative, strong, tender, deep voice comming out through his instrument.

[murrayisthebest]

This is wonderful!

[enorbet2]

Thanks for all the Bloomfield and especially this one. I have it on vinyl but this needs to be heard widely, like here. I think it's one of Mike's best but I think his alltime Slow Blues Masterpiece is "Blues For Barry And..." off the lesser know "Two Jews Blues" LP. Of course he gets less credit for that one since he's listed as Mikel Blumfeld ;)

[49Lourdes]

Way back then, I remember listening to Blues on the Westside, in complete darkness with my buddies....fell of my chair at the height of his solo..BANG!..rest in peace, Michael, you are an icon, and left us far too young ..your solo on this song is one of the greatest ever!!! THANK YOU!

[joethepainter90]

They broke the mold when they made Michael Bloomfield.His unique style and groove can't be duplicated.There will never be a Bloomfield.Peace

[yakimonoya]

cool

It is delicate and beautiful.

[rickstones426]

There's a CD out there, which may be a bootleg (pretty poorly recorded), of the Electric Flag live, with a song called "My Baby Wants To Test Me". Mike's playing on this track must be heard to be believed, (and not a bad vocal from Nick The Greek). From the first Butterfield album, through the Flag, and the Super Sessions, Michael did some of the finest guitar work ever, then he began to slip away. I miss him to this day.

[ZINEDINE05]

@rickstones426 You can find the track youre refering to on my channel. I uploaded it a while ago. Peace !

[wadoman699]

@ZINEDINE05 I looked but I couldn't find it on any of the tracks you have listed. Could you send me the youtube number? Thanks.

[ZINEDINE05]

@wadoman699 Which tracks are you refering to?

[wadoman699]

@ZINEDINE05 Sorry, "My Baby Wants to Test Me."

[stonemojo]

@rickstones426 michael was the most sincere blues guitar I've ever met.

I saw this in SF Fillmore none he got started every one was transfixed very few people moved almost none talked this was one of those that Mike loved, he lived for it. the other song is wintery winter time is just about as perfect.

i miss Mike I like talking to him on the phone always a great convesation a brilliant musician and cool dude.

[bluesjuke]

Easily one of my all time favorite albums!

[kuhchicken]

When Mike was "on", oh man!

[daeusto]

I got this album when it was first released. Bloomfield has always been, to my ears, the greatest white blues guitarist.

[tallmunchkin]

He really knew how to blast off a flurry once in awhile and then cool it down again. Absolutely a great player. I have a lot of his recordings - a great musician.

[clairitol]

Met him once at Filmore in the 70;sforgot how great he was ...... the best

[Tzaosirus7]

Ahhh...... Just got up, had a fat stinker, and put on the Mike...

Nice!!

[sam19851]

Hell yeah! :D

[cantaclaro2]

VERY FINE ,fine guitarist !

[beatlesfan129]

Thanks for sharing

[izzapoppin]

unbelievable...thanks for the post.

bloomy was great.

[lanes58]

To this day no guitar player can match Mike Bloomfield when it comes to playing slow blues. The solo in the middle of this song is a masterpiece that no one has been able to touch. Not Clapton, the Kings, white , black or in between, The feeling, the phrasing was truely a gift from God.

[Tzaosirus7]

Check out - Peter Green...

Think you might like it...

[johngoo343]

@Tzaosirus7 true, but bloomfield is in a class of his own

[kurtchrisandchad]

@Tzaosirus7 peter green was a second tier player pared to clapton and mike bloomfield. but a fine player all the same.

[clikityclak]

@kurtchrisandchad

Thank you for that great laugh.. it really made my day.

[kurtchrisandchad]

@clikityclak laughter is the medicine that just might improve your taste in music!!

[clikityclak]

@kurtchrisandchad

Oh noo Peter Green is right where its at.. cant we just agree Bloomfield is decent? and Peter Green bled the blues when he played?

[kurtchrisandchad]

@clikityclak calling mike bloomfield "decent" is the understatement of the century. learn your history. bloomfield was the first guitar hero in america. clapton was heavily influenced by him. as were others. peter green was a drug addict and kind of a loser. dont even compare him to bloomfield. its fine if you prefer green..but.. Get real.

[clikityclak]

@kurtchrisandchad

Just getting into the blues actually.. but Peter Green is where its at dude man, his guiar tone is immense especially in the 3 Got A Good Mind To Give Up Living... which has to be the greatest guitar solos ever recorded. Im also positive there is a wave of people that would agree with me, Im sorry if i offended you but i guess i just cant feel Bloomfields playing like you can and vice verca

[kurtchrisandchad]

@clikityclak nobody feels it more than bloomfield. green was an LSD casualty. anyway hope you change your mind. bye

[clikityclak]

@kurtchrisandchad

Welp i didnt change my mind and i still do think Greeny rules all.. BUT!! i just finished the bloomfield story, and well i apoligize for tryin to talk shit he truly was great!.. now im off to find other bloomfield pieces

[rockinredneck57]

Think you'd better listen to Johnny Hiland., bro. He can stand toe to toe with any guitar player and not be intimidated. Put most of them down too.

[lanes58]

Johnny Hiland is a monster guitar player. Maybe the best overall alive today. Most of his songs tho are centered around his playing and he just goes crazy - go Johnny go, Mike Bloomfield played softly in the background until it was his turn to take a ride and then he just brought the song home. His licks weren't overly fast but soulful and smooth as buddah.

[Blueshiway]

I discovered this album in a bargain bin in the early '70s. I consider this one performance to be the best Blues recording in history, hands down. The vocals of Nick, coupled with Mike's great guitar riff and Noel's killer sax makes this performance a legend! It is amazing in that it seems there were so few people in the audience. The spattering of applause at the end indicates that there were very few people there to experience this gem!

[ZINEDINE05]

I agree with you 100% ! The first time i heard this cd i didnt know what hit me !

[TREYOLDHIPPIE]

Well my comment here makes absolutely no sense? WHU? "B?" There is no 'B' in here?! I must have been asleep at the wheel.. sorry man! It is a great post, that is for certain.

[TREYOLDHIPPIE]

Hmm Maybe B took this from Mike? Yeah.. ? Sure is some sweet horns and all.. Thanks for sharing!

[Jenscool]

Nice, thx T.