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LA RECENSIONE
"...The three great Bs of classical music were Beethoven, Brahms, and Bach; today the three great Bs of blues are Bloomfield, Bishop, and Butterfield...".
Thus Paul Nelson reviews the legendary "East-West" on the back-cover of the record.
It was 1966. From the very first concerts, the group formed by Butterfield (vocals and harmonica), Mark Naftalin (piano), Jerome Arnold (bass), Billy Davenport (drums), Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield (guitars), gains some notoriety throughout San Francisco, enough to soon become the focus of interest for the renowned Elektra record label.
"East-West" (released in 1967, following their debut album "Paul Butterfield Blues Band") is not only the masterpiece of the Frisco band, but of an entire musical genre. Few other albums like "Supersession", "Wheels Of Fire" or "Cheap Trills" have managed to expand the meaning of the word BLUES in such a way as to give it a personal and original interpretation. The east to west journey begins with the intense rhythm of "Walkin' Blues" (the entrance of Butterfield's voice and harmonica is colossal). Notable are also "Get Out Of My Life, Woman", "Work Song", where Bloomfield manages to reproduce exactly Nat Adderley's original jazz phrasing, and "Mary Mary", the Monkees' hit reinterpreted with a psychedelic twist. Unforgettable is the long suite of "East-West", where harmonica and guitars alternate in an endless trip.
Butterfield, Bloomfield, and company have entered history for mixing blues, Indian music, jazz, and psychedelia in a single album, which more than an album, is a true work of art.
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Summary by Bot
East-West by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band is hailed as a groundbreaking 1967 album that reshaped blues music by incorporating jazz, psychedelia, and Indian sounds. Featuring key performances by Butterfield, Bloomfield, and Bishop, it remains a milestone in blues history. The album's tracks like 'Walkin' Blues' and the title suite are unforgettable examples of its innovative style.Tracklist Videos
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
American blues-rock band formed in Chicago in the early 1960s, led by harmonica player and vocalist Paul Butterfield. Known for combining blues with jazz, psychedelia and modal improvisation; key albums include the debut Paul Butterfield Blues Band and East-West.02 Reviews
Other reviews
By psychrockblues
"East-West extended the meaning of the word BLUES, departing from the usual three-chord compositions and moving towards music never heard before."
"Butterfield and companions have left their mark on the history of modern music."
