Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I gotta confess, I never really appreciated the depth of Mike Bloomfield's talent when he was in his heyday. Oh yeah, I was a fan of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and of the Electric Flag, but I never did buy wholly into the "Bloomfield as guitar god" mantra that many of my slightly older friends and schoolmates did. Perhaps if I had been just a little older when he was at his zenith, I would have understood just how musically important he was!
If You Love These Blues was brought to my attention by one of the book's authors who had e-mailed me about one of my reviews on amazon. His description of it sounded interesting, so I took a chance and ordered it here. Am I ever glad I did! Not only did I get a book chock full of interesting stories and anecdotes about Bloomfield and those who surrounded him, I also got a magnificent CD of previously unissued 1964 Bloomfield recordings, from the vaults so to speak.
The book:
If You Love These Blues is not a traditional biography, rather it is a compilation and arrangement of interviews of Bloomfield himself (before his death, of course), his colleagues, his intimates, and some of his important acquaintances given over the years as Bloomfield's life is explored from his youth until his untimely death. Some of the interviews of those important in his life were given years after Bloomfield's death and help the reader to form a retrospective impression of the sort of guy Bloomfield was.
At first I was skeptical about how this style of biography would work out, now I see that it was probably the best way to approach Bloomfield's story. The interviews and stories are not haphazardly arranged, but are in such an order as to give the reader a coherent overview of each important period of Bloomfield's life. The stories, reminiscences, and anecdotes are sometimes humorous, sometime tragic, but nearly always compelling. My favorite bunch of reminiscences are those revolving around Bloomfield and his experiences with some of the old giants of blues, particularly those of his wild trip to St Louis with Big Joe Williams and a couple friends.
Those most interested in the musical aspect of his life and the musicians that surrounded, influenced, or were influenced by Bloomfield will enjoy reading the comments of luminaries like Elvin Bishop, Jack Casady, Nick Gravenites, Al Kooper, Buddy Miles, Charlie Musselwhite,Mark Naftalin, and Carlos Santana among many others.
At the end of the book, there is a list of interviewees for quick reference, a comprehensive discography, and a selected critical discography.
The CD:
First, I've gotta say that even without the CD, the book was well worth the price paid. With the CD, the book is an incredible bargain. Take yourself back to 1964 and try to remember the kind and quality of the music that was popular then. Try to think of anyone at that time who was considered a legitimate guitar hero, then listen to this! Now how advanced is this for its day? You get nearly 45 minutes of primitive, searing blues that let you see just how far ahead of his contemporaries he was. Bloomfield often liked to play all the parts, and his experiments here with overdubbing showcase his massive talent. I like it all, but particularly enjoy Country Boy (with a young Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica), Intermission Blues (on which his piano play foreshadows Bob Hall's style on early Savoy Brown recordings), and the jamfest Gotta Call Susie that closes out the CD.
If you are a blues fan and if you love the blues style popularized by Michael Bloomfield and his colleagues, then you will buy this book! I cannot give it any higher recommendation.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Michael Bloomfield - If You Love These Blues: An Oral History (Book)
Guitarist Michael Bloomfield shot to stardom in the '60s with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Bob Dylan, The Electric Flag and on Al Kooper's "Super Session." His story is told in the words of his brother, musicians such as B.B. King, producer Paul Rothchild and dozens of others - including Bloomfield himself. Features a foreword by Carlos Santana, and a CD of unreleased early studio tracks. Hardcover. "(This book) is a look inside the psyche of a musical innovator who deserves a posthumous Nobel Prize and a statue on Rush Street in Chicago. If you love his blues, you'll love this book." - Al Kooper
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