PLAYLIST NEW ALBUM RELEASES REMEMBERING MICHAEL.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer THE FORD BLUES BAND: ``In Memory of Michael Bloomfield'' (Blue Rock'It) Few young musicians know the name Michael Bloomfield Michael Bloomfield may refer to:
Playing with the wit and grace of early Eric Clapton and Peter Green, the Chicago-born guitarist came to national attention with the Paul Butterfield Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest white exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. Blues Band in 1965, the same year he backed Bob Dylan Noun 1. Bob Dylan - United States songwriter noted for his protest songs (born in 1941) Dylan on the classic ``Highway 61 Revisited'' album. Striking out on his own, Bloomfield recorded the 1968 ``Super Session'' disc with Al Kooper and launched the r&b-inspired Electric Flag. Road-weary, uncomfortable with the spotlight, suffering from insomnia and drug addiction drug addiction or chemical dependency Physical and/or psychological dependency on a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance (e.g., alcohol, narcotics, nicotine), defined as continued use despite knowing that the substance causes harm. , Bloomfield retreated into the shadows, where he was found dead in 1981 at the age of 37. While Bloomfield might be considered a footnote, longtime Bay Area musicians recall the guitarist's singing, expressive tone, evocative phrasing and gentle nature. One who didn't forget is Ukiah-based drummer Patrick Ford Sir Patrick Johnstone Ford, 1st Baronet (5 March 1880 – 28 September 1945)[1] was a Scottish Unionist Party politician. Ford was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Edinburgh North on his first attempt, at a by-election in 1920. , whose excellent ``In Memory of Michael Bloomfield'' was just issued on Ford's Blue Rock'It label. It features superb performances of ``Stop,'' ``Got a Mind to Give Up Living'' and other tunes Bloomfield was known for, played by Ford's well-known brother Robben Ford Robben Ford (born December 16, 1951) is an American blues, jazz and rock guitarist. He was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Ukiah, and began playing the saxophone at age 10, picking up the guitar at age 13. and fellow guitarists Chris Cain This article has multiple issues: * It does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by citing reliable sources. * It may need to be to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. and Volker Strifler. We asked Ford about his memories of Bloomfield. Q: What were your impressions of Bloomfield as a person? When I met him he had the drug problem and you'd just walk away shaking your head. But he was kicking out all this serious music. One of my best memories is hanging out with Muddy Waters and Michael at the old Keystone Korner in San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden and hearing them talk about Chicago's South Side. Q: Your album is very faithful to Bloomfield's sound, which isn't easy to duplicate. Robben and Chris were heavily influenced by Michael. They copped his licks. They'd go see him and sit up front and soak it in. Chris plays Bloomfield note for note. Robben is a guy who twists things his way. Q: Hopefully, more people will hear about Bloomfield. Today, when you talk about guitarists, nobody mentions him. But there's a good biography out, a remastered ``Super Session'' CD with extra stuff, and an unreleased Fillmore East concert from 1968 and a box set, which are supposed to come out next year. CHECK THESE OUT (other new releases): JIMI HENDRIX, ``Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight'': A two-disc set of his last concert, portions of which have been released previously on ``Hendrix in the West.'' CAETANO VELOSO, ``Live in Bahia'': The Brazilian singer, composer, poet and author dips into his songbook along with new material that crosses borders. BILLY ECKSTINE, ``The Legendary Big Band 1943-47'': In these classic dates, the stylish crooner mixes ballads and blues with backup from Dizzy, Dexter, Miles and others. Next Tuesday: VARIOUS: ``The Heart & Soul of Bert Berns'' CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Michael Bloomfield) (2 -- 4) no caption (CD covers) |
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