winterland 73

Michael Bloomfield & Friends
Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, February 23, 1973.
Opening set for Paul Butterfield Blues Band Reunion.
Michael Bloomfield, g; Mark Naftalin, p, v; Kip Maercklein, b; Rick Schlosser, d.
"Baby Let Me Kiss You/Cissy Strut"

[@andygonzales5676]

I was at this show!! All the way back in 73! Micheal Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, and Elvin Bishop!! Awesome show and glad to hear it again!

[@blueoakland7106]

I was there as well. I had wanted to see all three so badly after first hearing East West back when it came out in 1966....finally got my wish.

[@arlenesheffield1136]

Wish I had been there with you

[@arlenesheffield1136]

Once of a lifetime Bro

[@bnastali]

Jazzy and great. The interplay with the bass is fantastic to my ears.

[@paulwilliams5013]

..YES....i could Miles Davis...circa 1980s...soloing over this riff!

[@francispardeilhan5719]

Oh, those nights... after hours in line, rushing in to cram into the foot of the stage... smell of beer and funny cigarettes... rockin' til you dropped, with your girlfriend on your shoulders... Winterland was rock out heaven...

[@mitchgawlik1175]

I can live with this but I'd venture to say that if most of us had a choice we'd like to hear more "Super Session" and "Live Adventures" style, not to mention "I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living" and "One More Mile". I think it's time to pull out "A Long Time Comin".

[@jimlabos]

Sadly this is an example of Bloomfield uninspired playing. Bloomfield was one of those players that when he was "on" he was "ON" like no one else.

[@bloomsdisco]

Uninspired, Jim? Well, it's maybe not the greatest example of Michael's artistry, but I can tell you he was definitely into it, judging by the rest of the set. He even blew out his Twin Reverb toward the end of the performance because he was playing so hard. So I think his solo here is exceptionally good, even though it may not be history-making, and it's fun to hear him play something a little different. Thanks for your input - always good to hear from Michael's fans!

[@jimlabos]

I have quite a bit recorded by Bloomfield and so I am judging his playing here compared to the best of what I've heard. Incidentally I saw him live in Montreal not too long before he passed, and he was not playing anywhere near his best (it was actually a heartbreaking show for me). I came close to seeing him with Butterfield but he had just left when I saw them. I love Bloomfield and like I said when he is on it's mindblowing . I didn't hear the rest of the set only this tune here and for me this is not Bloomfield's best by far. Not to denigrate what you are saying but blowing out an amp has nothing to do with playing hard! I'm a guitar player too. Bloomfield always kept his twins (usually had 2 on stage) at 10. I'm sure he blew many amps if not his speakers. Thanks for posting this. I miss Bloomfield and the spirit he brought to the Blues.

[@bloomsdisco]

Ditto that, Jim. I have a copy of that Montreal performance, and I agree that it's not Michael at his best. There are some exemplary MB performances after 1969 or so, but they grow fewer in number as the years passed, unfortunately. I just like the energy and atypical quality of this 1973 medley. Best regards, David Dann

[@jimlabos]

Amazing! Is the copy a sound recording or is it filmed as well? I didn't even know it was recorded. From what I remember it was with a pickup band. He spent quite a bit of time coaching them. Cheers and thanks for keeping the love and memory of Bloomfield alive.

[@bloomsdisco]

The copy I have is an audio cassette that comes from MB's own collection. Probably a soundboard tape that was given him after the gig. The band is one that was traveling with him, his guys from SF, including Dave Shorey, Bob Jones and Dave Kesner. It dates from Jan. 22, 1979. If that was the gig you're referring to, I believe Bob Jones kind of took over midway through the set because MB was a bit out of it.