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Rating: September 2007:
Overwhelmed by the apathy and sadness of a September day, I plant myself in front of my computer as usual, click the Internet Explorer icon, and as if by magic, eBay opens. That's what I needed... a damn Blues record!!! I start thinking: John Mayall? No, I have way too many already. Eric Clapton? No damn way!!! Paul Butterfield? Not bad but... What I want is a damn pure Blues record, maybe recorded live. And there it is right in front of me... hope it doesn't cost too much... 2 dollars and fifty... taken!!!
After a month of waiting, I can finally put it on the turntable, the record starts spinning, the needle touches the album, and you start perceiving the slight "crackling" without which I couldn't live, and Mike Bloomfield's powerful voice seems to herald an incredible live double album. From chatter to action, and what action!!!
The album begins with “The 59th Street Bridge Song” by Paul Simon, a memorable version, a vocal interpretation with a guitar and organ base not found in any other album than supersession. It continues with “I Wonder Who” where Bloomfield and only Bloomfield dominates, a spectacle for guitar lovers and more, with “Her Holy Modal Highness” ample space is given to an incredible bass improvisation, it is indeed from improvisation that the second side also seems to be characterized, but suddenly in “Mary Ann” Bloomfield launches into a heartfelt song, and that's when I start to enjoy and keep enjoying until the final surge with an angry organ and Bloomfield close to saint... yes keep singing Mike, we’re all with you damn. And the applause breaks out. It continues with “Together 'Til the End of Time”, Al can show off his skills, an excellent performance, it seems to be over but for a moment Mike makes us jump with his guitar, but Al doesn’t stay behind and imposes himself with the chorus that gets into your head and forms an absolute dictatorship. The drums open “That's All Right”, pure blues with a great accompaniment from bass and drums and a confirmed talent from Bloomfield. The first record ends with the classic “Green Onions” by Booker T.
I change the record, wonder if the magic of the first album will repeat itself. The needle hits... damn more chatter, this time from Kooper, on this side in fact Mike doesn’t play but Santana in one piece and Elvin Bishop in another. “Sonny Boy Williamson” is a predictable blues but still enjoyable... I miss Mike!!!!!! Jokes aside, Carlos Santana still does an excellent job as does Bishop on the next track “No More Lonely Nights”, probably the longest track on the album. Here you can hear Bishop’s splendid deep voice and his melancholic guitar.
The last side opens with “Dear Mr. Fantasy”, a rock classic created by Winwood’s genius. Finally, my Mike comes back into the scene (p.s rest in peace) and it is immediately felt. The arche of this record is nothing but the intertwine of guitar and organ: it all starts from this, it changes into its base and returns there. On “Mr Fantasy” they even sneak in “Hey Jude”! What a sound orgasm!!! Similarly, it continues with “Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong”, here however Bloomfield delights us with his sweet singing. The finale “Refugee” is all about changing tempo, indeed they changed a tempo... they made history!!!
What an hour and a half they made me spend!!!
BRAVO!!!!! EHEHEHEHEHEHEHE
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