The Legendary Guitarist You're Not Listening To...Enough

Let's take a look at the guitar style of the great Mike Bloomfield!
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[@docwill184]

Albert's Shuffle (Super Session) is the most listenable blues you'll ever hear. Mike's phrasing was absolutely his own....

[@MMGuitar11]

Me and my dad love listening to Bloomfield. He says, "Bloomfield is your favorite guitarists, favorite guitarist." He is SOOOOO UNDERRATED.

[@duelenigma7732]

He is under rated to those who haven't heard of him . I grew up listening to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band with Bloomfield on guitar . Also on Bob Dylan's East West . Not under rated to blues fans in the '60s my friend .

[@Philtration]

Mike Bloomfield is so underrated as is the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. If you have not already done so check out the stuff he recorded with Al Kooper and his work with Nick Gravenites. Great blues playing.

[@stephenhanlin2388]

One of the most underrated of all time. I listen to him often

[@elmolewis9123]

Mike Bloomfield had the sweetest tone and some of the nicest licks out there. I've been a fan since those days. Butterfield's East-West and his Super Session album put him at the top.

[@tomholman4991]

I heard the Paul Butterfield Blues band in the very cold winter of 68-69. Wuz so blown away with Mike Bloomfield’s guitar playing I assumed the groups name wuz Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Always a favorite.

[@mrmusic248]

elmolewis9123: Two Albums that are REQUIRED listening in every household!!! Don't forget his stellar work with The Electric Flag !!!

[@ThomasDeLello]

@@tomholman4991 You're not the only one, I did too.

[@paulofreire7520]

Glad to see someone covering the style of the great Mike Bloomfield. An exceptional and influential guitarist, unfortunately often forgotten. Well done, sir 👍🏻

[@timtime9167]

When I was a kid at a lumber yard, an old hippie found out I played, he said you gotta get, hwy 61 Bob Dylan with Mike Bloomfield. I was instantly intrigued, thinking this might hold all of life's secrets. I'm glad I met that guy.

[@williamswanson6424]

Thanks for discussing Mike Bloomfield! He was a monster!

[@glenlapwing8468]

Saw him with the Butterfield Blues band at least a dozen times in Chicago, he was amazing!

[@bdmclaughlin]

His live set after Super Session is hard to beat. Mastery.

[@dougsmith6793]

Bloomfield and Clapton playing with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers taught me how to play -- picked the needle up and dropped it back down on the record a gazillion times learning phrase by phrase how to put blues leads together.

[@davidwright9318]

I just spent a week listening to a compilation album of his songs..I listen to him quite often. He was truly an amazing guitarist.Just check out East West or The Work Song Live.

[@atiostefony3760]

He was very specific during his solos, always finding different ways to get your attention and of course the feel he had.

[@thomasragozzino9468]

He was my first guitar hero back in the sixties... Fortunate to see him in the early 70s at the Bottom Line. He definitely was a ground breaker for his time.

[@ffemto4]

I got hooked on Bloomfield when I first heard Paul Butterfield blues band. Then realized that it was him playing lead on Dylan’s first electric albums. Completely underrated and forgotten by many. The guy’s a genius. Even Dylan said he was the best he’d ever heard.

[@mitchgawlik1175]

Anyone who considers Bloomfield as underrated deserves a good smack. Over the last fifteen years there has been a major resurgence in interest in Michael. He may have turned off many with his lost interest in blues and his forays into pseudo country and gospel. Listening to his work the Electric Flag and Al Kooper is nothing short of exciting. When people use that tired phrase "blues is a feeling", well, Bloomfield was overflowing with feeling. Listen to "One More Mile" with Butterfield and it's easy to understand why there's a great love for Michael Bloomfield.

[@kendipietro6855]

I remember when the Super Session album was released. Everything about it, including the description of the recording on the cover, was exceptional. It must have been incredible witnessing that event.

[@mrmusic248]

kendipietro6855: Oh, to have been a fly on the studio wall during that session. It was incredibly surprising to the music industry, that an album that was centered around free jamming, could do so well in the charts. A shout out here to Mr. Stills' work on side 2 of that record.

[@slide4180]

Still the best blues I've ever heard - Bloomfield on side 1.

[@JamesFolkers]

When I first heard Super Session (1971) I told a friend that I thought it was the best album ever recorded. 52 years later I believe I was correct…

[@stickmanmusic5840]

I wore out that album, then replaced it!

[@azbluesdog]

If you listen closely to Robben Ford’s playing , you’ll hear Mike Bloomfield all over the place.

[@douggoodhill]

Oh yea!

[@user-gr1rl7rk9k]

Robben ford did an album of Bloomfield songs

[@meeno_the_man]

Bloomfield is such a joy and your simple breakdown of his genius is proof yet again that all the gems of this machine are just hiding in plain sight beneath our fingers.

[@scottsoucy6186]

Michael Bloomfield has been one of my guitar heroes for over 40 years now! He was a masterful musician that could play any style. It's too bad that kids nowadays don't even know who he is! I have the Father and Sons cd in my player right now!

[@Robowx]

I listen to him plenty. He’s the guy that got me to start playing!!!! I even got to see him once in concert!

[@snoopstp4189]

What I like about Mike's playing is his pacing, he doesn't get bogged down with sustain, which a lot of blues players really over do just a bit, it sets his style apart and stands out. Refreshing.

[@squatchykrislapuma4611]

Way back when my oldest brother was an actor at Second City in Chicago Mike Bloomfield worked across the street at the Old Town School Of Folk Music. My brother and some of the Second City cast would go across to hear him and check out the other musicians that taught/ performed there. The would also come see the shows at Second City. No Ego Tripping. I was just starting to get into Chicago Blues back then in my early teens. Used to check out the legends performing for free on Maxwell Street too. Muddy,John Lee Hooker,Elvin Bishop. Man those were some real cool guys! I definitely learned a lot from being able to sit and talk to these legends and I'm glad this video is out there for a new generation to learn from. Blues is about self expression, making that guitar talk,sing and cry. It's an extension of ones soul.

[@RobertHollander]

Really tasteful job of demonstrating this great talent. It takes great talent to emulate great talent. Thank you for expanding my musical vistas.

[@cliverkay]

I first got into the Blues by listening and learning to play Albert's Shuffle ..Always been an inspiration to me and I hope people can hear that when I play ..

[@cognoscenticycles4351]

Some very Bloomfield approved tone from that 335! No pedals, no nonsense. Love it!

[@billc6087]

I feel so fortunate that I got to see Michael Bloomfield live in the late 60s.

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

I was one of that teen generation that Bloomfield influenced. Thanks!!

[@jimrivas8681]

I was lucky to see Michael many times in the SF Bay Area, at small clubs as well as at Winterland. One of the all-time greats! Gone too soon. 1:58

[@jonp93003]

Such a beautiful job you've done here on Mike Bloomfield. It was exceptionally inspiring when the Butterfield Blues Band was at The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach! Bloomfield gave me a jump start on my own playing for many years. Thank you so much!

[@gerysasko3410]

Mike Bloomfield is one of the tastiest blues players ever. Jack Rich is right there too. Tone to covet!

[@frakognome4434]

This is a super lesson, Jack! That album can't be missed at all. Thank you!

[@tbluesboye]

Great post Jack! You're highlighting my era and one of my favorite players from forever!

[@Sammywhat]

The reverb on this vid was PERFECT! What a tone man. Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@syn707]

Thank you doing this video. Mike is one of my all time guitars. Even though his recordings are no longer heard on the radio, I hear him on Dylan’s ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ which is on regular rotation on the station I listen to. ❤❤❤❤

[@tommc49]

Been a fan since the first Butterfield album. You nailed the style. Well done.

[@jeffreyreid7036]

Mike Bloomfield....... In my top 5 favorite guitar players

[@carstenbornscheuer255]

Hab mir heute durch Zufall die Super Session gekauft. Was für eine Spielfreude,was für ein geiler Ton, ein echter Schatz.

[@chriscondell603]

Auf jeden Fall!

[@richardroskell3452]

Your tutorials and your guitar skills are fantastic, Jack. Thanks!

[@davess237]

Thanks for a great lesson. Mike Bloomfield is one of my all-time favorite guitarists, and this is a great breakdown of some of the things that go into his sound.

[@tonetone7572]

im fortunate enough to have grown up listening to Mike. What thrill it was to hear him on Janis Kozmic Blues-"One Good Man " uncredited but we all instantly knew it was him.

[@MrJazzguitar2]

Got to play with Mike one afternoon... Very gracious and kind...

[@patrickmcelhone1446]

Hard for anyone to capture Bloomfield because more than anything he played with pure heart and soul. That's a personal thing not a technique but you did an excellent job, thanks for showcasing my favorite blues guitar player

[@mariozedda3036]

Another great lesson. Thanks Jack, for your invaluable teachings!

[@miketang7533]

Great detail analysis of some legendary awesome blues licks. Sweet 🎶🎸🙏

[@Ken-os3wg]

I’ve read and watched a bunch on Bloomfield. Aside from being one of the greats he also seemed to be a guy that you would just like to get to know. Very well read and personable, not lacking in strong opinions. Jack as usual appreciate this video. Kee up the great work 👍👊

[@fatdouggie]

Excellent lesson! Thanks for sharing!

[@joe800096]

Really appreciate you doing a spot on Bloomfield, always felt he was very overlooked. One of my all-time favs

[@nklzcyn]

Just listen to Bloomfield’s and Bishop’s solos on “East West”. Their blues/jazz lines were way out ahead of the rest of their peers. Case closed.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

Forgotten is an understatement. Mike Bloomfield He was brilliant. I really hope today's music gets some kind of renaissance or something. Corporate-consumerism really destroyed the creative realm in terms of composition and soul in todays music...

[@bmoraga01]

Absolutely loved the video, Jack. Thanks for posting. You've got Michael to a "T". Had the pleasure of meeting him in 1970 while I was interviewing my guitar hero, Albert King, backstage at a blues festival in California. Michael stuck his head in the room and said "Hi, Albert" and came over and gave him a bear hug. Talk about a Blues Moment that I'll never forget. They chatted briefly about where they had recently played and I got the whole interview and Mike's "interruption" on tape. I've got to add that both were super friendly and gracious to me.

[@barrysebastian9584]

Excellent post! Mike Bloomfield is why I started playing blues! In particular, the classic “Really” from Super Session. I bought a ‘68 Gold Top and ‘66 Super Reverb because of that photo on the back of the album (still have them both)! He had such a pure sound, and sadly, left us too soon. So great to see this nod to his unique style… thanks, Jack - and, well done!

[@karmadave]

Wow Jack. Thank you so much for that overview of Mike Bloomfield’s playing style. He influenced countless modern Blues players including Robben Ford, Chris Cain, and others. Mike himself referred to this style as ‘Sweet’ Blues which you so eloquently demonstrated in your lesson. I also noticed you used Bloomfield’s signature ‘finger slide’ without calling it out. Can’t wait to try these out myself 😊

[@1963Tele]

Great tone & ideas. Thanks for sharing!

[@TekVahana]

Still loving Michael's work with The Electric Flag after all these years. If you like to watch him perform, the Monterey Pops clips here on YT are fun to watch.

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. I still have, play, and enjoy my Kooper-Bloomfield-Stills Super Session LP. Mike is hard to beat.

[@Cuardaitheoirfirinne]

Absolutely Super lesson and stellar playing. Thank you so much.

[@telekaster19991]

Great content as always. Your touch is so smooth and light. Reminds me of the Rev BFG. I look like I'm fighting fire when I'm playing.

[@davidduval8681]

Love gettng to the heart of how best to go to the 6. Many thanks to Jack!

[@paulbureauforvp]

Your explanations are super clear. Really just one of the best explained background of the nuts and bolts of slow blues. I learned that the major sixth gives the blues another flavor when you substitute it for the seventh. I have never heard that before but the pentatonic scale becomes another flavor. Tried it out and it yep it’s like discovering the hexatonic inside the major.

[@martynspooner5822]

As an old Bloom field freak this video made my weekend. Thanks Mr Ruch you are such a tasty guitar player.

[@simonedavis2398]

Mike is unfortunately forgotten and underestimated by most, but for me he is among the greatest of all. He, Peter Green and Paul Kossoff are some of my absolute favorites and a point of reference when it comes to the kind of sound I want to get when I play. Luckily there are people like you who keep his memory and extraordinary playing alive. Thanks Jack, keep it up! 💪🏻 🔥

[@coreymihailiuk5189]

Very happy to see you shining a light on Mike Bloomfield's incredible playing. I was an instant fan upon discovering his playing many years ago. The tone he achieved with his 1959 sunburst Les Paul standard still stands out today as one of the best blues tones ever heard.

[@gernotboesser6901]

Absolutely 👌🤟

[@dougsmith8430]

Such an awesome lesson ! 🎸🎶 Mike Bloomfield, such a beautiful sound to his playing, so heartfelt! He understood the significance, and the power of mixing the major and the minor tonalities to get such a great feel! So sad that he overdosed at such a young age back in 81! ❤️‍🩹 Thank you for this lesson! You are a fantastic guitarist and guitar teacher!

[@christianlacheze3323]

My favourite Bloomfield tracks are his sparse, laconic yet stellar Tele licks on Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. All the more interesting since these were intentionally not bluesy at all (as I understand it, Dylan would yell at him « Mike, no BB King !). A lesson in music, not just guitar

[@cdshull]

It's Not Killing Me has been one of my favorite albums since I was a teenager in the '60s, early 70's.

[@kdavis63]

Mike was unbelievable. A huge influence on me for sure.

[@a.lorenz5641]

Thank you for the nice lesson!! Greetings from Italy

[@Hhenriette]

beautiful lesson. thank you @JackRuch

[@hkguitar1984]

It was Mike Bloomfield's playing that in 1976 inspired me to purchase a brand new Twin Reverb. I still own and play that very same Twin, and Mr. Bloomfield's music is still inspiring me. Great Content Mr. Ruch, Thank You.

[@patricialapointe6470]

Love your videos. Love your playing So much soul in your body!!

[@MrSlotracer]

Dude, you nailed his style and added some of yourself. Bravo!

[@ronmercer6362]

Thanks Jack. Always great stuff!

[@NormanPeterson]

You nail the tone & style..! Bravo.. Super Session was my fave! I have the one you are talking about as well!!

[@dekalbes335]

Amazed to see this. Excellent choice to take a good look at.......!!

[@Robowx]

The Super Session album. Al Kooper invited Bloomfield down to record this album. Half way through it. Bloomfield went back home to Mill Valley. Because on top of everything else. Bloomfield had that problem where he was afraid to leave his house. So Al Kooper called Stephen Stills to finish the album.

[@tovarisch2788]

I love your red ES. I have one, too; mine's a '68, with a Bigsby.

[@calravens8707]

Thanks Jack for the heads up to MB and his playing! I remember Robben Ford quoting Mike being a major influence for him. As always wonderful tone, demonstration, articulation and vibe.

[@andrewjeffery8949]

amazing guitar player, it sounds like Otis Rush was a major influence on him

[@mezzoca8110]

Love the rich smooth clean tone you have.

[@paulcaine2603]

Nice work work Jack, you're fantastic blues player yourself.

[@cliberg]

Great delivery!

[@user-wp1tg3iq5h]

he def is jack I'm 71 and been playing since I was I was weened on this guys and PG

[@ciclosonico]

Thank you for this silky guitar tone and inspiring video, +1 subscribed

[@richardboyce4644]

Great lesson. Saw him twice in a small club in slc. Monster player

[@seeyucalif]

Super Session and the Electric Flag album are my favorites. Wine was my favorite cut and Killin’ Floor!

[@midiland09]

Since 1969, Mike Bloomfield is my favorite guitar player. I cannot listen enough of Mary Ann or Dear Mr Fantasy. There, the guitar becomes a living thing, it is wonderful. By the way, your guitar sounds awesome.

[@robertscherer8860]

It really is all about note choice. Who better to teach us that but Jack.

[@jtd3421]

Holy smokes that solo starting at 2:30 was tasty

[@danielhornecker]

Thanks for this one! Massive Bloomfield fan

[@michaelreich9714]

Thanx for this. It's needed.

[@philipcarson6768]

man these lessons are gold!

[@charmainehutchinson7281]

Wow I have watched many videos but you are a super guitar teacher

[@martyc4906]

Love this!

[@stephenowen5229]

Cool! I tend to neglect Bloomfield, but I'm going to check out that album this evening.

[@mraggrovator]

Brilliant video great playing

[@Robowx]

A great album to listen to is LIVE at Bill Graham's Fillmore West!

[@rocketpost1]

Some tasty playing there Jack. Great playing is down to great phrasing and just having that touch, that individuality. Mike was a great player and Clapton has admitted that he was a big influence. I used to especially like Mike's playing in Electric Flag.

[@j.dragon651]

Always something new. Thanx

[@LuAnnHeston]

One of THE most underrated guitarists ever, amazing

[@keithrobinson3023]

Fantastic blues lesson !!