If You Love These Blues

“I’m glad to have the chance to pass on what I have learned from listening to records, the radio and so many great bluesmen. You know, the blues is America’s musical legacy to the world and if you love these blues, man, play ‘em as you please…” – Michael Bloomfield, 1976

That is the opening narrative from the song “If You Love These Blues” from Michael Bloomfield’s “If You Love These Blues, Play ‘Em As You Please.” Bloomfield is a guitar legend. His impact and influence isn’t well known in popular culture, but it is there behind the scenes. After all, his lead guitar licks were an important part of Bob Dylan going “electric” at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and on the classic album, “Highway 61 Revisited.”

As a young blues musician from Chicago, he initially was signed by legendary A&R man John Hammond Sr. to be a Columbia Records recording artist, and shortly after made a name for himself with his stunning guitar work in The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Upon leaving Butterfield, he formed a new band called Electric Flag. While Electric Flag was supposed to be a musical vehicle in which an extensive list of musical influences could mesh - such as blues, jazz, rock, soul and world music – the band was mired in chaos and Bloomfield left before their first album was released. He quickly connected with his friend Al Kooper in the studio and was part of the legendary “Super Session” album. His dazzling playing and breathtaking solos from his days with Bob Dylan through his collaboration with Kooper all in a short period of four years garnered him a highly acclaimed reputation as one of the most talented and influential musicians and guitarists of his generation.

Shortly after, Bloomfield left the spotlight. He wasn’t a fan of the fame that was associated with his accomplishments and was also battling drug addiction. For the rest of his career, he mostly avoided becoming a mainstream and commercial artist. There were the occasional high-profile collaborations with other notable musicians such as Dr. John, John Hammond, Rik Grech and Carmine Appice; but none of them went anywhere. A lot of his recording activity during this period was done on smaller independent labels.

One surprisingly remarkable project from his low-key 70’s output, was of all things, an instructional album for Guitar Player Magazine. “If You Love These Blues, Play ‘Em As You Please” showcased a wide range of various electric and acoustic blues styles and it ultimately became one of Michael Bloomfield’s most revered projects of his entire career. One of the elements that makes this album such a fascinating listening experience (other than the spoken instructional references and descriptions by Bloomfield between tracks) is that there were no commercial ambitions behind it. This album was simply an exercise of love by a devoted blues fan. Bloomfield lets loose and just plays the blues. This is what he loved doing way before he hooked up with Dylan. You can hear it in the playing.

“If You Love These Blues, Play ‘Em As You Please” is a fantastic blues gem and an inspirational musical journey by a virtuoso musician. There are some obvious Michael Bloomfield excursions like “Super Session” and Paul Butterfield’s “East-West” that any music fan will appreciate, but “If You Love These Blues, Play ‘Em As You Please” is an essential Bloomfield project and listening experience for any fan of the blues.