THE Classic album of The Butterfield Blues Band, in the original Mono mix.
The Butterfield Blues Band – East-West – Elektra/Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab # MFSL1-611 – Mono 180 gm vinyl – 44:55 – 1966 – *****
(Paul Butterfield – harmonica and vocals – Mike Bloomfield – guitar – Elvin Bishop – guitar (and vocal on “Never Say Never”) – Jerome Arnold – bass; Mark Naftalin – organ and piano; Bill Davenport – drums)
The Butterfield Blues Band was arguably the first great fully integrated blues band. East-West was their second album, and considered their masterpiece, both for its inclusion of so many genres of music (acid rock, blues, jazz, and classical Indian motifs), as well as the influence it had for so many upcoming groups, who wanted to explore improvisation in a fearless manner.
Now sixty years after its initial release, the boutique audiophile label, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, is bringing back this release in a marvelous mono re-issue. Sourced from the original analog master tapes, and housed in a Stoughton jacket, in a limited numbered edition, it is an opportunity to re-enter the hallowed halls of Chess Records, to experience Butterfield’s great harmonica and vocals, as well as the dueling guitars of Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop. Keyboardist, Mark Naftalin, adds both piano and exploratory organ fills to round out this unique blues band, that went well outside traditional electric Chicago style blues.
The sound mix is superb and the acoustics give an “in the recording studio” experience. Bloomfield left the band a year later (and drug problems contributed to his early death in 1981), while Elvin Bishop went on to a solo career, branching out into country and acoustic work.
East- West is most known for its two instrumental extended tracks, Nat Adderley’s “Work Song,” and its title track which was unique for its time as it covered so much ground, entering acid-rock, jazz, and Indian raga territory. The Grateful Dead would have felt right at home with Bloomfield’s guitar setting a tone for blissful listening. Its modal mix was influenced by Mike’s fascination with John Coltrane and Indian ragas.
Electric blues fans will love the shorter tracks, the classic “Walkin’ Blues,” “All These Blues,” and “Two Trains Running,” with Butterfield’s blues harp, and Mike’s blues guitar lines. Paul was taken in as a teenager by Muddy Waters in Chicago blues clubs, where he honed his singing and harmonica playing.
Elvin Bishop’s plaintive vocals shine on “Two Trains Running.” Solos are aplenty on “Work Song,” as its given a hard bop reading. Mark Naftalin’s spacey organ is featured here as well. A nice novelty track is “Mary, Mary,” which was written by The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith, and the band gives it a psychedelic vibe.
If you want the definitive version of this classic album, this is it… Don’t delay as it is likely to sell out quickly…
Review by–Jeff Krow
The Butterfield Blues Band – East-West
Tracklist:
Side One: Walkin’ Blues, Get Out of My Life Woman, I Got a Mind to Give Up Living, All These Blues, Work Song
Side Two: Mary, Mary, Two Trains Running, Never Say No, East-West
