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
1959
*MR. LONELY & THE TWISTERS
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Michael Melford, g; others unknown.
New Trier High School, Winnetka, IL; 1959(?)
Unknown titles Live performances
Michael Melford reports that he and Bloomfield had an R&B group that played for high school dances. They were attending New Trier on Chicago’s North Shore at the time.
*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(?)
Unknown titles Live performance
According to Fred Glaser, Bloomfield played acoustic guitar at several U. of C. folk fests, probably in 1962 and 1963.
*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
Don Wilson, v, g; Michael Bloomfield, g, v, hca; Mike Horn, Gus Fleming, v.
Chicago, IL; 1962 or 1963
San Francisco Bay Blues Balkan CD-1007
Swing Down Chariot
I Can’t Get ‘Nuff Your Love (MB, v, hca)
The Monkey and the Engineer
This recording was discovered by Peggy McVickar in February 2007. Discographer René Aagaard believes it to be from an audition tape, made probably in 1962 or ’63. Its issue on this folk compendium CD makes it the earliest available Bloomfield recording. Don Wilson later formed a graphic arts company with photographer Peter Amft and did album cover illustrations for Bloomfield and many others. Wilson and Mike Horn also had a Simon & Grafunkel-like duo around this time called Michael, Don & Nobody. Thanks to Joel Harlib for this information.
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(?)
Unknown titles Live performance
*LITTLE BROTHER MONTGOMERY
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; probably Roy Ruby, g.
Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL: Spring 1963
Unknown titles Live performance
Mike Michaels, a Chicago friend and occasional harpist for Bloomfield, recalled seeing Michael play electric guitar around this time at one of the University’s ad-hoc “twist” parties. Mark Naftalin first met Michael at a similar gathering. Paul Butterfield and Elvin Bishop also frequently performed at these Ida Noyes sessions.
*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
Michael Bloomfield, g, v.
Mother Blues, Chicago, IL: Summer(?) 1963
Unknown titles Live performance
This may have been Bloomfield’s first solo gig. It was arranged by his manager, Joel Harlib, who had to “drag Mike from his apartment in Sandburg Village to the club” to get him to perform. Thanks to Joel Harlib for this information.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD/RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOT
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Elliot, g, v.
Private party, Old Town, Chicago, IL; 1963
Unknown titles Live performance
Fred Glaser recalled seeing Bloomfield play with Jack Elliot at a late night party.
*SUNNYLAND SLIM/ST. LOUIS JIMMY
St. Louis Jimmy, v, hca; Slim, v, p; J.B. Lenoir, g, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; John Lee Granderson, v, g; others unknown.
Nina’s Lounge, Chicago, IL; 1963
Brown Skin Woman “... Live in ’63,” Fuel 302 061 300 2
J.L.’s Blues
Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
That’s All Right
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD/IRA KAMIN/MICHAEL MELFORD
Michael Bloomfield, g, v, hca; Kamin, banjo; Melford, mand.
Fickle Pickle, Chicago, IL: November 22, 1963
Unknown titles Live performance
Ira Kamin and Michael Melford had a bluegrass trio in which Bloomfield occasionally played guitar. On the night of the day President Kennedy was assassinated, Melford recalled they were on stage at the Fickle Pickle. They also had a booking agent who got them gigs around the Midwest.
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(?)
The two acetates turned up in eBay auctions in 2004 and early 2006. The label on “Got the Blues” reads “Columbia Reference #Job 90334, unreleased,” and “Attn: John Hammond.” “Country Boy Blues” came with a paper sleeve on which was also penciled “Attn: John Hammond.” They and the other acoustic tunes originally come from a 7” reel of tape dubbed from Norman Dayron recordings probably made at Mike Shea's studio (“Country Boy Blues” may be an earlier version of the tune recorded on October 15). They were given to producer Hammond by Bloomfield’s then agent/manager, Joel Harlib. Harlib made a cold-call on Hammond in New York, probably in June 1964, and was able to get the legendary producer to listen to Bloomfield’s material. Hammond was so impressed with the guitarist that he wanted to hear him in person. During contract negotiations, Hammond suffered a heart attack and was unable to come to Chicago until December 1964. By that time Bloomfield had put together an ad-hoc band, “The Group,” and was working at Magoo’s and Big John’s. Hammond arranged a demo session in Chicago on December 7 and another on March 1, 1965 in New York. Though Michael had a contract, Columbia was unsure how to market him and did nothing with the demo recordings. Thanks to Joel Harlib for this information.
*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
I Done You Wrong
Early One Morning
*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
*THE GROUP
Michael Bloomfield, g; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; probably Brian Friedman, p*; Michael Johnson, g; Sid Warner, b; Norm Mayell, d.
Big John’s(?), Chicago IL; Fall(?) 1964
43rd St. Blues Recordings by Norman Dayron
Ramblin' Blues*
Automobile Blues
On “Automobile Blues” the rhythm guitarist sounds like it might be Elvin Bishop.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Charlie Musselwhite, Roy Ruby, Norman Dayron, v.
Norman Dayron’s apartment, Chicago IL; Fall(?) 1964
Let’s Get Some Dope Recording by Norman Dayron
According to Norman Dayron, this comic tune was improvised by Bloomfield in Dayron’s apartment. It concerns a snail’s lament while "inching his way across a vast field of marijuana next to the federal penitentiary in Lexington, Kentucky, and singing in a tiny voice, 'Let's get some dope.'" Musselwhite, Ruby and Dayron joined Bloomfield on the chorus. The tune was initially supposed to be issued on the CD that accompanies “If You Love These Blues” but was cut from the final release.
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
Unknown titles Live performances
Pete Welding reviewed several performances by The Group in the December 3, 1964 edition of downbeat magazine, describing the band as “rapidly evolving into one of the finest, fiercest-swinging rhythm-and-blues combinations in Chicago.” He also noted that the group occasionally “suffered from time difficulties.” Thanks to Peggy McVickar for this information. Michael Johnson recalled that during this period Paul Butterfield and Elvin Bishop would frequently sit in with the band.
Personnel as above.
Magoo’s, Chicago, IL; Winter 1964
Unknown titles Live performances
Norman Dayron made recordings of The Group at Magoo’s during their residency there. Thanks to Norman Dayron for this information. Mike Johnson reported that after performing one night, the McGovern brothers (who owned Magoo's and were believed to be Mafia members) took the group to a southern Illinois farm to go pheasant hunting.
Personnel as above, omit Wolff.
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.
Magoo’s, Chicago, IL; December 31, 1964
Auld Lang Syne Live performance
Other unknown titles
Singer Tracy Nelson, who was dating Charlie Musselwhite at the time, recalled catching the band’s performance on New Year’s Eve. The owner insisted that the band play “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight, so the annoyed Bloomfield asked Nelson to sing it with them. She did, and when the time came, The Group performed it as an up-tempo shuffle!
*NICK GRAVENITES/MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Gravenites, v, g; Brian Friedman, p; Charlie Musselwhite, hca; Josh Davidson, b; Bennie Ruffin, d.
The End, Chicago, IL; Winter 1964
Unknown titles Live performances
Gravenites and Bloomfield briefly formed a band after The Group left Magoo’s and before Michael joined Butterfield’s quartet. The End appeared to be, according to Gravenites, a front for mob activity. The band frequently played to an empty room while shady business dealings took place at the bar. During the time the group was together, Bloomfield created an extended instrumental based on Nick’s tune “It’s About Time.” Parts of it were later incorporated into his piece “East-West.” Brian Friedman became incapacitated was replaced by another pianist named (?) Whitehead. Thanks to Nick Gravenites for this information.
*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
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield(?), g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d.
Village Gate, New York, NY; Late February/early March 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
An article in the New York Times described Butterfield’s appearances at the Village Gate as the band’s New York debut. Bloomfield may have occasionally sat in with the group.
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
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g, p(?); Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d.
Cafe Au Go-Go, New York, NY; June 16, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
Fellow Chicagoan, Mike Michaels, reported meeting Bloomfield back stage at the Au Go-Go on this date and hearing Michael talk excitedly about recording with Dylan that day. Bloomfield then demonstrated “Like a Rolling Stone” on piano.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND(?)
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d.
New York Folk Festival, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY; June 18 or 19, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
Butterfield was listed as a possible performer in a program called “The Evolution of Funk” at this first New York City folk festival. The program was presented on Friday and repeated on Saturday of the four-day festival with Chuck Berry headlining. Whether Butterfield actually appeared, and if that performance was with the whole band, is unknown.
*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
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d; Nick Gravenites, v(?).
Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; July 22(?), 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
According to some reports, the Butterfield Band was the opening act on the opening night of the festival. They were a late addition to the roster at Newport – advertisements for the concert series make no mention of the group – and they may have been originally scheduled to perform only during the Friday and Saturday afternoon workshops.
*MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD
Michael Bloomfield, v.
Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; July 23, 1965
Bloomfield Introduces Lightnin’ Hopkins “Lightnin’ Hopkins at Newport,” Vanguard UV067
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.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d; Nick Gravenites, v.
Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; July 23, 1965
Unknown titles Live performance
This performance was part of an afternoon workshop called “Blues: Origins and Offshoots.” The band was introduced in a disparaging manner by Alan Lomax, after which Lomax and Butterfield manager Albert Grossman came to blows. Photos taken by David Gahr of the band in an afternoon performance come from this workshop.
Personnel as above.
Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; July 24, 1965
Juke Live performance
Other unknown titles
This performance was part of a Saturday afternoon workshop called “Bluesville.” Because of the buzz the band created with its exciting electric blues, Grossman was able to secure them a place on the Sunday afternoon concert. A sudden rain storm caused the band to move its appearance to the evening concert. Portions of this workshop performance appear in Murray Lerner’s 1967 film “Festival.”
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d; Nick Gravenites, v.
Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI; July 25, 1965
Mellow Down Easy “Newport Folk Festival 1965,” Vang. VRS-9225
Look Over Yonders Wall “Blues With a Feeling,” Vang. VCD2-77005
Blues With A Feeling
Born In Chicago
Blues For Ruth
Why Don't You All Quit It
Elvin's Blues
That’s All Right (NG, v)
It's About Time (NG, v)
It's True (NG, v)
Work Song
This was the opening set of the final night of the festival. Vanguard reportedly recorded everything at Newport and thus must have captured all the Butterfield performances on tape. Portions of this performance and an interview with Bloomfield appear in Murray Lerner’s 1967 film “Festival.”
*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
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Sam Lay, d, v.
Club 47, Cambridge, MA; Late July/early August 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
The Butterfield band played a three-night stand at Club 47 in the days immediately following the Newport Folk Festival. Some of the group stayed at club-owner Jim Rooney’s home. Rooney paid what he thought was the huge sum of $100 per night to host the band due to the buzz they had created at Newport.
*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.
Big John’s, Chicago, IL; December(?) 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
Evidence for these performances exists in photographs taken by Norman Dayron and dated from December. The drummer may be Billy Davenport, though the drum kit appears to be the one used by Sam Lay. Big John’s closed permanently in September 1967.
*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.
1966
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
The Trip; Hollywood, CA; 2-week engagement starting on January 2(?), 1965
Unknown titles Live performances
The band flew to California on New Year's Day 1966 to begin its first West Coast engagement. Billy Davenport likely first joined the band for these shows.
Personnel as above.
KPIX studios, San Francisco, CA; January(?) 1966
Unknown title TV broadcast
Mark Naftalin recalled that the Butterfield Band made two TV appearances during its first trip to California. The first was a lip-synched tune on this unknown show on KPIX. He jokingly played the tune a half-step sharp, much to the dismay of Hans Conried who was also a guest on the program. Bloomfield, Mark remembered, used a piece of celery as a slide.
Personnel as above.
TV studio, Los Angeles, CA; January(?) 1966
Unknown title TV broadcast
This was the Butterfield Band’s second TV appearance. They performed a lip-synched tune on this show hosted by Sam Riddle – probably “Hollywood A-Go-Go.” The other featured band was Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.
Personnel as above.
Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles, CA; January 21, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as above.
The Trip, Hollywood, CA; January 23, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
*BOB DYLAN
Dylan, v, g, hca; Al Gorgoni, Michael Bloomfield(?), g; Al Kooper, org; Paul Griffin, p; Bill Lee, b; Bobby Gregg, d.
New York, NY; January 25, 1966
Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat “Blonde on Blonde,” Columbia C2S 841
Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat, alt. take
Some discographers believe that Robbie Robertson is the the other guitarist along with Dylan on this title. The most recent Columbia personnel listings, however, name Bloomfield as the second guitarist.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles, CA; February 4-13, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
“EAST-WEST,” as “The Raga” is now known, becomes the featured set closer for many Butterfield performances by early 1966. Bloomfieldoccasionally astonishes audiences by eating fire during the playing of the tune which sometimes lasts as long as one hour.
Personnel as February 4.
Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles, CA; Winter 1966
Just To Be With You “Strawberry Jam,” Winner 446
East-West #1 “East-West Live,” Winner 447
Personnel as February 4.
Poor Richard’s, Chicago, IL; Spring 1966
East-West #2 “East-West Live,” Winner 447
This version of “East-West” was recorded by guitarist and technician Dan Erlewine. He has stated that he and his brother recorded “hours of Butterfield” during this period and that Mark Naftalin has had the tapes restored. They remain unissued, however. A brief review of a show at Poor Richard’s appeared in the June 1 edition of Variety and described the band’s performance of a piece called “The Ragga” (sic) as “outstanding,” so this date may have actually occurred in the summer of 1966. Thanks to Peggy McVickar for some of this information.
Personnel as February 4.
Unknown venue, Huntington Beach(?), CA; March 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Chet Helms and John Carpenter, co-producers along with Bill Graham of the Butterfield Band’s first appearance at the Fillmore, flew down to see the band in performance at this venue – a “little jazz club,” possibly the Golden Bear – and were distressed to find the group playing to a nearly empty room.
Personnel as February 4.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; March 25-27, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
The Butterfield Band’s first shows at the Fillmore were such a success that Bill Graham arranged with Albert Grossman to have exclusive rights to book the band in the San Francisco area. On March 28, Paul Butterfield was a guest on the CBS program “To Tell the Truth” in New York City, an appearance probably arranged by manager Albert Grossman. After he identified himself as the real harmonica player, Paul performed “Born in Chicago” with the Norman Paris quartet.
Personnel as February 4.
Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, CA; April 1-10, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as February 4.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; April 15, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as February 4.
Harmon Gymnasium, University of California, Berkeley, CA; April 16, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as February 4.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; April 17, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as February 4.
Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, CA; Summer, 1966
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as February 4.
SUNY Stony Brook, LI, NY; April 25, 1966
Born in Chciago Live performance
Blues with a Feeling
Thank You Mister Poobah
Mellow Down Easy
Never Say No
Other unknown titles
Thanks to Jim Miller for these titles. Simon & Garfunkel were the headliners for this show.
Personnel as February 4.
The Living End, Detroit, MI; April 26-May 8, 1966
A series of photographs of the Butterfield Band performing at The Living End in Detroit may have come from these dates, or may date from an earlier appearance there because they show Mark Naftalin still using the prototype Guild organ that he played on the band’s first record. That Bloomfield is seen playing his Telecaster is an argument for an earlier date. Curiously, he is also shown playing a 1955(?) Les Paul with a Bigsby tailpiece, not the 1954 gold-top model – and playing harmonica(!).
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as February 4.
Royal Arms, Buffalo, NY; 1966(?)
Unknown titles Live performance
Mark Naftalin recalled that the Butterfield Band played at the Royal Arms in Buffalo at some point in the band’s early years. The gig is included here in the listings though the date is uncertain.
Personnel as February 4.
Unicorn Coffee House, Boston, MA; Spring (May 18?) 1966
Look Over Yonders Wall Coliseum UCH1966 (Bootleg)
Born In Chicago
Blues with a Feeling (Love Her with a Feeling)
Get Out of My Life, Woman (Walking Blues)
Never Say No
One More Heartache
Comin’ Home Baby
Serves You Right to Suffer
I Got a Mind to Give Up Living
Walking By Myself
If You See My Baby
World Is in an Uproar (Danger Zone)
In the Midnight Hour
So Fine
Got My Mojo Working
Elvin Bishop is the vocalist on “Never Say No,” Bloomfield sings “If You See My Baby” and Arnold sings "Midnight Hour."
Personnel as February 4.
Unknown club, Falmouth, MA; Summer(?) 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Mark Naftalin recalled the Butterfield Band playing in Falmouth (or East Falmouth) around this time.
Personnel as February 4.
Cafe Au Go Go, New York, NY; June 3-18, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Also on the bill for this two-week engagement were Albert King and B.B. King, and folk/rock artist Fred Neil. In Neil's band were Harvey Brooks, Al Kooper and John Sebastian.
Personnel as February 4.
Club 47, Cambridge, MA; June 20-25, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Crawdaddy magazine interviewed the Butterfield Band at Club 47 on June 24.
Personnel as February 4.
Cafe Au Go Go, New York, NY; July 1-10, 1966
Unknown titles Live performances
The Blues Project was also on the roster for this gig.
BLOOMFIELD HEARS Jimi Hendrix for the first time at Cafe Wha? in New York in July 1966. Hendrix is performing as Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. Bloomfield reports to members of the Butterfield Band that he has just seen a guitarist “way better than I am.” Hendrix occasionally sits in with the Butterfield Band during the Cafe Au Go Go’s Sunday evening “Blues Bag” jam sessions. Also in July 1966, John Mayall releases “John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers” with Eric Clapton.
Personnel as February 4.
The Living End, Detroit, MI; July 19, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as February 4.
The Living End, Detroit, MI; August 9-14, 1966
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as February 4.
Rheingold Central Park Music Festival, Wollman Rink, New York, NY; August 26, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
*CARLY SIMON
Simon, v, g; Michael Bloomfield, g; probably Robbie Robertson, g; Richard Manuel, Paul Griffin, Al Kooper, kybds; Rick Danko, b; Levon Helm, d.
New York, NY(?); 1966
Baby Let Me Follow You Down Columbia, unreleased
Goodbye Lovin’ Man
Other unknown titles
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
New York, NY, Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA; Released August 1966
Walkin’ Blues “East-West,” Elektra EKS-7315
Get Out of My Life, Woman
I Got A Mind to Give Up Living
All These Blues
Work Song
Mary, Mary
Two Trains Running
Never Say No
East-West
Come On In Elektra 45609
If I Had My Way
"East-West” was edited down for release. It was recorded in Chicago at Chess Studios by Ron Malo with Norman Dayron’s assistance. “Mary, Mary,” a tune written by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees, and “Come On In,” credited to Butterfield, Bloomfield and Bishop, were produced by the Butterfield Band in an effort to chart a commercial hit. “Mary, Mary” was probably done in Los Angeles while “Come On In” was recorded in Chicago in September. The latter was released as a single. The Monkees recorded “Mary, Mary” themselves in July 1966, but it was not released until January 1967.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
Philadelphia Folk Festival(?), Paoli, PA; September 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
It is uncertain whether the Butterfield Band actually appeared for a second time at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, but a story about Butterfield in the November 11, 1973, edition of Rolling Stone seems to imply they did.
*THE CHICAGO LOOP
Judy Novy, Bob Slawson, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Barry Goldberg, org; Carmine Riale, b; John Siomos, d.
Chicago, IL(?); Released September 1966
When She Needs Good Lovin’ Dyno-Voice 226
“When She Needs Good Lovin’” was used in a Macleans toothpaste commercial, “Macleans Is What’s Happening!,” in 1966.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA; September 17, 1966
Never Say No Live performance
Other unknown titles
The Butterfield Band performed as part of Monterey’s Saturday afternoon show hosted by Jon Hendricks and called “Blues All the Way.” Also featured were Big Mama Thornton, Walter Horton, Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim and the Jefferson Airplane. A jam at the end of the afternoon that was to feature Muddy Waters, members of the Airplane and the Butterfield Band was cancelled do to time constraints.
Personnel as September 17.
Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; September 23-24, 1966
Unknown titles Live performances
The Muddy Waters Band was also on the roster for this performance.
Personnel as September 17.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; September 25, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as September 17.
Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; September 30, 1966
Dropping Out “Droppin’ in with ...,” (Bootleg CD)
Baby, Please Don't Go
Born In Chicago
Willow Tree
My Babe
Kansas City
Bloomfield is the vocalist on "Kansas City."
Personnel as September 17.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; October 1, 2, 1966
Got My Mojo Working Live performances
Other unknown titles
Muddy Waters was also on the bill for these shows. On October 2, he jammed with Butterfield on “Mojo.” The shows were originally to have taken place at the Winterland, but on September 27 a white policeman killed a black teenager and the Fillmore district was very tense. Bill Graham thought he would not be able to fill the larger ballroom. Thanks to Corry Arnold for this information.
Personnel as October 1.
Basketball Pavilion, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; October 6, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
*JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
Marty Balin, Signe Anderson, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Paul Kantner, g, v; Jack Casady, b; Spencer Dryden, d.
Basketball Pavilion, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; October 6, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Both Butterfield and the Airplane were featured at this Stanford University show. Bloomfield sat in with the Airplane, using Jorma Kaukonen’s Guild guitar.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g, v; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; October 7, 8, 1966
Unknown titles Live performances
The Jefferson Airplane was also on the bill for these shows. According to Wolfgang’s Vault, the Airplane and the Butterfield Band played their second sets together. Steve Miller may have also jammed with them on one of the two nights.
Personnel as October 7.
Pacific Jazz Festival, Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA; October 8, 1966
Performance cancelled
Jimmy Lyons, producer of the Monterey Jazz Festival, organized the performers for the debut of this festival and intended to repeat the “Blues All the Way” program (minus the Jefferson Airplane) that had been presented at Monterey. Leonard Feather, in his review of the festival in the L.A. Times, reported that Butterfield and company did not appear.
Personnel as October 7.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; October 9, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 7.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; October 14, 1966
Shake Your Money Maker “Droppin’ in with ...,” (Bootleg CD)
The Sky Is Crying
Oh, Pretty Woman
Never Say No
So Fine
East-West
"East-West" fades midway through its third section. Jerome Arnold appears to be the vocalist on "So Fine." Elvin Bishop sings "Never Say No."
Personnel as October 7.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; October 15, 16, 1966
Unknown titles Live performances
ERIC CLAPTON forms Cream in the summer of 1966; “Fresh Cream” is released in October of that year. Jimi Hendrix moves to London in September 1966. Bloomfield sees Clapton and other English guitarists while on tour there in October and November with the Butterfield Band.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
Finsbury Park, London, England; October 20, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
The Butterfield Band began its visit to England and Scotland with this performance. They were initially part of the Georgie Fame Tour, along with Chris Farlowe, Eric Burdon and others. They arrived in London on October 17 and gave a press conference at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club during which Bloomfield praised Eric Clapton. The tour was in support of their recently released Elektra album “East-West.” An article in Melody Maker reported that the band played with borrowed equipment for their initial gigs and were very unhappy with their sound; presumably the band’s Fender amps arrived in time for the later shows. Thanks to Christopher Hjort for some of this information and to René Aagaard for the following listings.
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Birmingham, England; October 21, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Leeds, England; October 22, 1966
Bloomfield met Eric Clapton for the first time after the Butterfield Band’s gig in Leeds. He and Clapton played together briefly backstage between Cream’s sets at nearby Leeds University. Thanks to Christopher Hjort for this information.
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Gaumont, Doncaster, England; October 23, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Manchester, England; October 25, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Liverpool, England; October 26, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Gaumont, Sheffield, England; October 27, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Colston Hall, Bristol, England; October 28, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Cheltenham, England; October 29, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Gaumont, Southhampton, England; October 31, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Bolton, England; November 1, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
ABC, Carlisle, England; November 2, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Glasgow, England; November 3, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Newcastle, England; November 4, 1966
Born in Chicago Live performance
Blues with a Feeling
Shake Your Moneymaker
Got My Mojo Working
Thanks to David Fletcher for these titles. Fletcher, an Animals fan, went to this performance to see Eric Burden and was amazed by Bloomfield and the Butterfield Band.
Personnel as October 20.
Gaumont, Hanley, England; November 5, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Odeon, Leicester, England; November 6, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
This was the last date scheduled for the Fame Tour. Butterfield and company decided to stay on to play clubs around London for two more weeks.
Personnel as October 20.
Blaises Club, London, England; November 8, 9(?), 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Eric Clapton caught the Butterfield band’s second set at the Blaises Club on
November 8.
Personnel as October 20.
Marquee Club, London, England; November 10, 1966
East-West Live performance
Got My Mojo Working
Other unknown titles
"Mojo" was an encore. Melody Maker reported in a brief review of the band's performance that the club was "packed up to the hilt" and the "appreciative blues fans ... even applauded the solos."
Personnel as October 20.
Manchester University, Manchester, England; November 12, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
The Jigsaw Club, Manchester, England; November 12, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Martin Davies, a student at Manchester University in 1966, attended both of Butterfield’s Manchester performances on November 12. He recalls that that the second gig that evening may have actually taken place at a club called the Stax and not at the Jigsaw.
Personnel as October 20.
Ram Jam Club, Brixton, England; November 13, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, England; November 14, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Eel Pie Island Hotel, Eel Pie Island, London, England; November 15(?), 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Mark Naftalin recalled performing at this venue, a favorite place for British bands like the Rolling Stones and the Who to play. The hotel was on Eel Pie Island in the middle of the Thames River, and was reached by a foot bridge. Naftalin remembered that all the band's equipment had to wheeled across the bridge.
Personnel as October 20.
Ritz and Plaza, Birmingham, England; November 16, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Ritz, Skewen, England; November 17, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
The Refectory, London, England; November 18, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Paul Butterfield joined John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers in the studios for an afternoon session on November 18 to record four titles for Decca. Mark Naftalin and other members of the Butterfield band watched the proceedings but Bloomfield was not present.
Personnel as October 20.
Flamingo Club, London, England; November 18, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Golders Green, London, England; November 18, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
“Ready, Steady, Go,” BBC; London, England; Aired November 18, 1966
Come On In TV broadcast
This performance was recorded November 15 and lip-synced. Some sources suggest the tune performed may have been “I’m Droppin’ Out on You,” also known as “Droppin’ Out.” The Four Tops were also the show.
Personnel as October 20.
Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, England; November 19, 1966
Unknown titles Live performancePersonnel as October 20.
Town Hall, New York, NY; November 26, 1966
Help Me Live performance
Mystery Train
Shake Your Money Maker
Walkin’ By Myself
Work Song
East-West
A New York Times review of this performance complained that the band was so loud that the reviewer “had to move into the foyer after the third number.”
Personnel as October 20.
ABC studios, New York, NY(?); Probably late 1966
Unknown title “Stage 67,” TV broadcast
Billy Davenport told Felix Cabrera that the Butterfield Band performed on this variety show along with Dionne Warwick. The date is uncertain, but the program only ran one season and none of the aired shows features Butterfield or Warwick. It is possible that the show was recorded for use in the cancelled second season and shelved or perhaps used in the ABC special “The Songmakers,” aired February 1967.
Personnel as October 20.
Cafe Au Go Go, New York, NY; December 5, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
Le Hibou, Ottawa, Canada; 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as October 20.
The Matrix(?), San Francisco, CA; December 1, 1966
I Feel So Bad Live performance
Driftin’ & Driftin’
300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy
Reconsider Baby
The Road I Travel
Get Out of My Life, Woman
One More Heartache
In the Midnight Hour
Walkin’ by Myself
Born In Chicago
Got My Mojo Working
Bloomfield is the vocalist on “Reconsider Baby,” Bishop sings ”The Road” and Jerome Arnold sings “Midnight Hour.” The arrangement of “Mojo” is by jazz organist Jimmy Smith. Though all sources name the venue for this show as the Matrix, Mark Naftalin doubts the Butterfield Band ever played there when he was with the group. Aural evidence also suggests the club was a much larger space, perhaps the Winterland or Carousel Ballrooms.
Personnel as October 20.
Gould Memorial Library Auditorium, NYU, University Heights, NY; December 16, 1966
Unknown titles Live performance
VOTERS IN the 1966 Playboy Jazz Poll rank Bloomfield thirteenth in the guitar category, higher than any other rock or blues guitarist. By 1969, he is ranked number eight.
1967
*THE JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
Marty Balin, Grace Slick, v; Jorma Kaukonen, Michael Bloomfield, g; Paul Kantner, v, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jack Casady, b, Spencer Dryden, d.
Webster Hall, New York, NY; January 8, 1967
Reconsider Baby Bootleg CD
East-West Jam
This concert was part of RCA’s “Promotional Night.” The Airplane was making its East Coast debut. Bloomfield and Naftalin sat in, probably as a favor to Bill Graham whom the Airplane had hired as a promoter. Some sources list Little Walter’s “Hate to See You Go” in place of “Reconsider Baby.”
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Elvin Bishop, g; Mark Naftalin, org; Jerome Arnold, b; Billy Davenport, d.
Jordan Hall, Boston, MA; January 13, 14, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
These concerts also featured Otis Rush and were produced by Club 47 in Cambridge. Guitarist John Curtis recalled seeing the band perform at Club 47 around this time, so Butterfield may have done a week there in addition to the Jordan Hall shows.
Personnel as January 13.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; January 20-22, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as January 13.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; January 27-29, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as January 13
Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, CA; January 31-February 5(?), 1967
East-West #3 “East-West Live,” Winner 447
Tollin’ Bells “Strawberry Jam,” Winner 448
Come On in This House
Born in Chicago
Personnel as January 13.
ABC-TV Studios, New York, NY(?); Aired February 24, 1967
Born in Chicago TV broadcast
This was a program called “The Songmakers,” a special ABC show about the process of creating of pop music. It also featured the Mamas & the Papas, the Blues Project, Judy Collins, the Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Dionne Warwick and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. The Butterfield Band’s segment was probably recorded at an earlier date, perhaps originally for the cancelled program “Stage 67.”
Personnel as January 13.
MIT, Cambridge, MA; February 25, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as January 13.
Sargent Gym, Boston University, Boston, MA; February 25, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as January 13.
Commonwealth Armory, Boston, MA; February 25, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
According to Mark Naftalin, Bloomfield officially quit the Paul Butterfield Blues Band after having to play these three performances on February 25. The MIT show was part of the university’s IFC Weekend and ran from noon to 4 p.m., and the BU show started at 8:30 p.m.; the Jim Kewskin Jug Band was also on the bill for the Armory show. Thanks to Corry Arnold for contributing to this entry.
*RICHIE HAVENS(?)
Havens, g, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; probably Robbie Robertson, g; Richard Manuel, kybds; Rick Danko, b; Levon Helm, d.
New York, NY; 1967
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue Recording session
Other unknown titles(?)
*JUDY COLLINS(?)
Collins, g, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; others unknown.
New York, NY; 1967
Unknown titles Recording session, presumably for Elektra
During a conversation with Ed Ward, Bloomfield recalled playing with Havens and Collins soon after leaving the Butterfield Band. Whether these two sessions actually exist is unknown.
*EDDIE “CLEANHEAD” VINSON
Vinson, as, v; Buddy Lucas, ts, hca; Michael Bloomfield, g; Patti Bown, p, org; unknown g, b, d.
New York, NY; March 1967
Cherry Red “Cherry Red,” Bluesway BL-6007
Cadillac Blues
Juice Head Baby*
Alimony Blues*
Somebody’s Got to Go
Flat Broke Blues*
Old Maid Got Married
Workin’ Blues
Wee Baby Blues
Good Night Baby Blues
Bloomfield may not play on all these titles but is definitely present on these (*).
*MITCH RYDER
Ryder, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Hugh McCracken, g; Barry Goldberg, p, org; Carmine Riale, b; John Siomos, d; unknown hns, bckup v.
New York, NY; March(?) 1967
What Now My Love “What Now My Love,” Dyno-Voice DY 31901
Let It Be Me
I Make a Fool of Myself
Born to Lose
If You Go Away
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On*
Sally Go ‘Round the Roses*
Brown-eyed Handsome Man*
I Need Lovin’ You*
That’s It, I Quit*
Bloomfield may only play on these titles (*). This session was produced by Bob Crewe. It was after this date that Michael supposedly proposed to Barry Goldberg that they form an "American music" band.
*THE CHICAGO LOOP
Judy Novy, Bob Slawson, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Barry Goldberg, org; Carmine Riale, b; John Siomos, d.
New York, NY(?); 1967
Richard Corey Dyno-Voice 230
Cloudy
It is unclear when these tunes were recorded – they could have been done during the Chicago Loop’s first session in the summer of 1966. Rene Aagaard lists John Savanno as the guitarist, though other sources credit Bloomfield and give the year as 1967.
*JAMES COTTON BLUES BAND
Cotton, hca, v; Luther Tucker, g; Michael Bloomfield, prod; Alberto Gianguinto, p; Robert Anderson, b, v; Sam Lay, d; James Barge, ts; Paul Serrano, tp; Delbert Hill, Gene Easton, bar; Louis Satterfield, tbn.
Universal Studios, Chicago, IL, March 1967
Various titles “The James Cotton Blues Band,” Verve FTS-3023
Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg and Norman Dayron produced this session and composed several of its titles. This recording features Cotton playing blues with a horn section, not unlike what Bloomfield was about to do with the Electric Flag.
BLOOMFIELD forms the Electric Flag in the spring of 1967. He moves permanently to the San Francisco area. In May of that year, “Are You Experienced?” is released by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
*BARRY GOLDBERG
Goldberg, kybds, v(?); Michael Bloomfield, g; Frank Zappa, g; others unknown.
Los Angeles, CA(?); 1967
Carry On Verve/Folkways KF5045
Ronnie Siegel From Avenue L
When and where this session took place is unclear. The year is certain and, according to Zappa, he played “the chords, and Bloomfield played the screeches.” The two titles were issued on a 45-rpm single.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD/MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD/ERIC CLAPTON
Butterfield, v, hca; Michael Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Eric Clapton, g; Mark Naftalin(?), kybds; Bugsy Maugh, Jack Bruce, b; Phil Wilson, Ginger Baker, d; Gene Dinwiddie, ts; Dave Sanborn, as; Keith Johnson, tp.
Cafe Au Go-Go, New York, NY; April 9(?), 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
One of the Cafe Au Go-Go’s Sunday jam sessions, this remarkable billing was advertised as a jam session between the Butterfield Band and Cream with Bloomfield added for good measure. Mitch Ryder also sat in. Whether Michael was still in New York at the time, however, is uncertain. Thanks to Peggy McVickar for this information.
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg, org, p, hrpscd; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, perc; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Nick Gravenites, v, g; Paul Beaver, moog syn; Bobby Notkoff, el viol.
Los Angeles, CA; April/May 1967
Peter’s Trip “Soundtrack to The Trip,” Sidewalk ST-5908
Psyche Soap
M-23
Synesthesia
Hobbit
Fewghh
Green and Gold
Flash, Bam, Pow
Home Room
Practice Music
Fine Jung Thing
Senior Citizen
Peter Gets Off
Gettin' Hard
Joint Passing
A Little Head
The Other Ed Norton
The International Submarine Band, a Gram Parsons group, was originally chosen to provide music for “The Trip.” That band appears in the film with the Electric Flag’s music overdubbed. The Flag used Parson’s Laurel Canyon home as an early rehearsal space. A portion of "Flash, Bam, Pow" is heard during road scenes in Dennis Hopper's "Easy Rider” (1969). The recording was one of the first (if not the first) to feature the new Moog synthesizer. “The Trip" opened in August 1967 to mixed reviews and was eventually banned by the National Catholic Office of Motion Pictures for sensationalizing drug use and for scenes of nudity.
BLOOMFIELD replaces his 1954 gold top Les Paul with a 1959 sunburst version in the spring or summer of 1967.
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg, org, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Nick Gravenites, v.
Monterey Pop Festival, Monterey, CA; June 17, 1967
Introduction by Bloomfield
Drinkin’ Wine “Old Glory: The Best of ...,” Sony Legacy CD
The Night Time Is the Right Time
Groovin’ Is Easy
Over-Lovin' You
Other titles unknown
Bloomfield introducing The Byrds
The Electric Flag arrived several days early for the festival and rehearsed their set in Buddy’s Miles’ motel room. Barry Goldberg recalled that the band played “Over-Lovin’ You” in addition to the other known titles. The band’s entire Monterey performance was filmed by D.A. Pennebaker for his 1968 film, “Monterey Pop.” During viewing sessions of the raw footage at Max’s Kansas City in New York in the fall of 1967, Pennebaker related how Truman Capote happened by and, on seeing Bloomfield and company on the screen, said, “Oh, don’t they look tacky!” Pennebaker responded that Capote didn’t know anything about music and Truman replied, “I may not know music, but I know tacky.” Pennebaker later removed the Flag’s section and decided that the film worked better without them. Following the band’s Monterey performance, Bloomfield decided to change the group’s name to “Thee, Sound.” Grossman and Columbia no doubt persuaded him to stick with “Electric Flag.”
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg, org; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, bar; Nick Gravenites, v.
Columbia Studios, San Francisco, CA; July 1967
Groovin’ Is Easy “A Long Time Comin’,” Columbia CS-9597
Over-Lovin' You
“Groovin’ Is Easy” was the first title recorded by the Flag for its Columbia album which would eventually come out 9 months later in April 1968. Though listed as Ron Polte, the composer of this tune is actually Nick Gravenites. Mama Cass sings backup vocals with Buddy Miles. The tune was released as a single backed with “Over-Lovin’ You” in mid-October 1967.
*JAM SESSION
David Crosby, Steve Stills, Richie Furay, g, v; Michael Bloomfield, g; Bruce Palmer, b; Buddy Miles, Mike Clark, d; Dewey Martin, v.
Hullabaloo Club, Los Angeles, CA; July 1, 1967
Hey Joe Live performance
Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing
For What It’s Worth
Other unknown titles
The Los Angeles Times reported this session with members of the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, describing Bloomfield and Miles as members of the Mike Bloomfield Blues Band.
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg, org, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, as, bar; Nick Gravenites, v, perc.
Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; July 12, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as July 12.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; August 8-13, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as July 12.
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA; August 18, 1967
Performance cancelled
The Flag was originally scheduled to perform at the Mamas and the Papas’ Hollywood Bowl show along with Scott McKenzie and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, but Albert Grossman was unable to come to terms with the producers. Bloomfield may also have been uncomfortable with the lingering Monterey hype surrounding the headliners. A classical string quartet replaced the Flag on the bill.
Personnel as August 8.
Unknown park, Malibu, CA; Late summer 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
This Flag performance was reported by members of the group the Five Americans who attended the outdoor show. The exact date is uncertain.
Personnel as September 7.
Electric Circus, Los Angeles, CA; September (?) 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Joel Harlib recalled seeing the Flag perform at the Circus. The date is uncertain.
Personnel as August 8.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; August 29-September 3, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Cream, making its West Coast debut, shared the bill with the Flag for this performance. For the August 29 show, an unknown alto player replaced Marcus Doubleday. Dan Erlewine reported that Bloomfield asked that Erlewine’s band, the Prime Movers, substitute for the Flag for one of these shows because Barry Goldberg was ill. It was the Prime Movers’ first West Coast gig, and Erlewine recalled they were thrilled to be opening for Cream.
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg, org; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, bar; Nick Gravenites, v; plus Richie Havens, sitar; Paul Beaver, moog syn; Bobby Notkoff, Julius Held, Leo Daruczek, George Brown, Charles McCracken, vi; Sivuca, g.
Columbia Studios, San Francisco, CA; September 1967
She Should Have Just “A Long Time Comin’,” Columbia CS-9597
Sittin’ in Circles
You Don’t Realize
Sittin’ in Circles, alt. take “Old Glory,” Columbia Columbia CK-57629
Goin’ Down Slow “A Long Time Comin’,” Columbia CK-9597
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg, org, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Peter Strazza, ts; Herbie Rich, as, bar; Nick Gravenites, v, perc.
Whisky A-Go Go, Los Angeles, CA; September 7-10, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as September 7.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; September 14-16, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as September 7.
Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, CA; September 29-October 1, October 3-8, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Rolling Stone reported in its debut issue that Flag members Bloomfield, Brooks, Goldberg and Gravenites had been arrested on “narcotics charges” during a 10-day gig at the Golden Bear. Their court date was set for October 20 in Huntington Beach. Only Barry Goldberg was later convicted on the charges, taking the fall for his Flag band members because the illegal activity took place in his room at the motel. He was originally sentenced to 90 days in the Orange County jail and 3 years probation in April 1970 but the sentence was later reduced to probation alone. Thanks to Marc Skobac for these dates.
Personnel as September 7.
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, CA; October 5, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as September 22.
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA; Early October 1967
Unknown titles TV program
Discographer René Aagaard lists this program, entitled “The San Francisco Sound,” as having been recorded between October 1 and 5, and as having aired on September 8, 1969. Some sources suggest that it aired on September 8, 1967 and thus must have been recorded earlier than October 1967. The show also featured the Buffalo Springfield, Blue Cheer, Spanky and Our Gang, and Richie Havens.
Personnel as September 7.
Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR; October 13, 14, 1967
Performance cancelled
These shows were cancelled due to the arrests in Huntington Beach.
Personnel as September 7.
Cheetah, Santa Monica, CA; October 20-22, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as September 7.
The Factory, Madison, WI; October 25, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as September 7.
Holy Cross Fieldhouse, Worcester, MA; October 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as September 7.
Psychedelic Supermarket, Boston, MA; November 1-12, 1967
I Don’t Want No Soul Around My House “In Boston,” (Bootleg CD)
Killing Floor
Goin’ Down Slow
Messin’ with the Kid
Groovin’ Is Easy
Good to Me
Sweet Soul Music/Keep a-Knockin’/The Things I Used to Do/Fannie Mae
Drivin’ Wheel
Born Under a Bad Sign/Raise Your Hand
Sitting in Circles
Another Country
Higher and Higher
I'm Sick Ya'll
I’ve Been Lovin’ You Too Long
It Takes Time
Wine
Bloomfield is the vocalist on “Good to Me.” Herbie Rich may be the vocalist on "Bad Sign." Thanks to Marc Skobac for these dates.
Personnel, venue and dates as above, but add J. Geils, g; Magic Dick, hca.
Two unknown titles Live performance
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Barry Goldberg(?), org, p; Harvey Brooks, b; Buddy Miles, d, v; Marcus Doubleday, tp; Herbie Rich, as; Peter Strazza, ts; Nick Gravenites, v, g, perc.
Village Theater, New York, NY; November 17, 18, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as November 17.
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA; November 18, 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Personnel as November 17.
Cheetah, Venice, CA; November 20-22, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
Personnel as November 17; omit Goldberg, add Michael Fonfara, org(?).
Bitter End, New York, NY; November 24-December 2, 1967
Unknown titles Live performances
A New York Times ad for the November 17 Village Theater performance billed the show as the Electric Flag’s “first New York appearance.” A New York Times review of the November 24 Bitter End performance describes it as the band’s “New York debut.” That the Flag would fly to New York, then back to California, only to return to New York two days later over a one-week period in mid-November seems unlikely, but these dates and locations are confirmed in published advertisements. The original starting date for the Bitter End appearance was given as November 22, but the Cheetah gig must have necessitated the change to November 24. Barry Goldberg had probably left the Flag by December 1967; on April 25, 1968 he appeared at the Whisky A Go Go with his new group, the Barry Goldberg Reunion. He might, however, have left before the band’s Bitter End gig, replaced by Michael Fonfara, future Rhinoceros keyboard player. Fonfara was a Canadian friend of Buddy Miles and had been performing with David Clayton Thomas at the Scene in New York in October. Herbie Rich became the group’s permanent organist after Fonfara was booted, reportedly by Albert Grossman, after being busted for drugs at the Tropicana Hotel in L.A. in mid-December. Thanks to Nick Warburton for this information.
*PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND
Butterfield, hca, v; Elvin Bishop, Michael Bloomfield, g, v; Mark Naftalin, kybds; other members of the Butterfield Band.
Cafe Au Go-Go, New York, NY; November 1967
Unknown titles Live performance
Bloomfield sat in with his old employer at the Cafe Au Go-Go one night during the Flag's stint at the Bitter End. The set was filmed and later issued in a movie entitled "Live at the Cafe Au Go-Go."
*THE ELECTRIC FLAG
Personnel as November 24.
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA; December 7, 1967
Introduction “Killing Floor, Vol. 1,” (Bootleg CD)
Uptight
Texas
Killing Floor
Sitting in Circles
Directly from My Heart
Born Under a Bad Sign
Rock Me Baby
Messin’ with the Kid
Bloomfield is the vocalist on "Directly."
Personnel as November 24.
Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA; December 8, 9, 1967
Introduction “Killing Floor, Vol. 2,” (Bootleg CD)
I'm Sick Ya'll
It Takes Time
Groovin’ Is Easy
Goin’ Down Slow
Over-Lovin' You
This concert set is introduced as being “Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry,” but the venue is the Winterland Ballroom. B.B. King was also on the roster for these performances.
Personnel as November 24, add John Simon, moog syn.
Los Angeles, CA; December 1967
Freakout “You Are What You Eat,” Columbia OS-3240
Movie Music – Improvisation “Old Glory,” Columbia CK-57629
“Freakout” was issued on the soundtrack to “You Are What You Eat,” a film by John Simon and Barry Feinstein released in 1967. The Flag did not appear in that film, and the tune sounds as if it were actually recorded in May 1967 during "The Trip" soundtrack sessions. “Movie Music,” also intended for "You Are What You Eat," was not used in that film.
SUSAN SMITH and Bloomfield decide to end their marriage of four years in December of 1967. Susan goes back to Chicago but returns to California in the summer of 1968.