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The Paul Butterfield Blues Band: East West (1966)

October 2007

It was 2 years ago this time that I succeeded in freaking my entire family out when the news surfaced of my sudden heart attack. There were a lot of questions that would hopefully be answered in the next few days. In the meantime, all I could do was be patient and listen to doctor’s and nurse’s orders… After the initial drama subsided, I calmly lay in my hospital bed; reminiscing about things I hadn’t thought about in a long time. I turned my head and gazed out the window at the luminous city lights. Crazy how one day everything can be going fine and then suddenly in a finger snap change so fast… Closing my eyes, I slipped backwards into time; scenes from the past entered into my reflective mind…

Flashback 1966

I was brought up in a family where music was a big part of the household setting. There was always something playing. My mom loved Tom Jones and would listen to songs like Its Not Unusual,” and “What’s New Pussycat.” If my sister wasn’t watching The Monkees television show, she was listening to The Beatles “Revolver.” My father would listen to the big jazz band sounds of Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman. He also loved reminiscing about “WW2” while playing tunes on the harp. Afterward, he would reply, “Do you want to hear it backwards?” He would then turn completely around and play the song over again. My dad was a character.

However, the best scene was in the room I shared with my older brother. Eight years older than me and an aspiring guitarist, he would practice endlessly into the night as I pretended to sleep in the bunk bed above. Those early years really influenced my taste in music… Now my brother never allowed me to touch his records because of my age. But like any other kid I didn’t really listen well to specific orders. So whenever he wasn’t home, I was all over those LP’s like a dirty shirt.

Not wanting to get caught, I ever so carefully slid The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s East West record out of its cardboard sleeve and placed it on the turntable. I lined up the stylus and it popped into its groove without a scratch this time. The opening cut “Walkin’ Blues” played and its rich soulful sound filled the room. Listening to the album I remembered several of the tunes my brother played on some of those late nights. And I also recognized songs like “Work Song” and “Two Trains Running” that he covered with his blues band when they rehearsed in the basement of our house. It was these moments where I realized that music was something I wanted to be a part of somehow. But there was still plenty of time to figure that stuff out…

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

was one of those rare ensembles that were soulful, charismatic and incredibly influential. Two major players stood out as soloists in the group; Paul Butterfield, a talented harmonica player and vocalist, and Michael Bloomfield on electric guitar. On East West both get a chance to display expressive originality. The contrast between Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop’s more traditional solos are nothing short of spectacular.

Butterfield was born and raised in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. As a teenager, he studied flute and later developed a love for the blues harmonica. Teaming up with the blues loving Elvin Bishop, they both began hanging around musicians such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Junior Wells. Forming a band with Jerome Arnold and Sam Lay and Bloomfield they began introducing the blues to a whole new audience. The band was then signed by Elektra Records.

Butterfield and Bloomfield composed the title track East West. This tune would create a unique shift in music history. It was more of a jazz eastern Indian raga piece with long improvisational solos by members of the band. At this point in time no one heard much of the sitar in blues, but Bloomfield manipulated his guitar to create a sound that was totally unique at the time. Butterfield complimented Bloomfield with a distinctive harmonica sound of his own… When The Paul Butterfield Blues Band played at The Fillmore in San Francisco in the summer of 1966, the word spread and dozens of local bands followed in the style of East West; helping to create the psychedelic sound of Haight Ashbury.

East West was never commercially successful, but it was critically acclaimed. I’ve listened to it several times lately, and considering this album came out in 1966, it sounds fresh and unique even today. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was indeed revolutionary and created a sound that emerged as the dominant rock music of the late 1960s.

Some further information regarding Paul Butterfield see below:

- The Paul Butterfield Fund and Society (PBFS) -

The PBFS was established by Gabriel Butterfield (Paul’s Son) and Salli Squitieri, with the assistance of Dan Aykroyd and his wife Donna Dixon Aykroyd. It is also sponsored by a New York City based non-profit organization called Fractured Atlas. In their own words,

“PBFS is membership supported and dedicated to the preservation and revival of the memory, legacy and many contributions of Paul Butterfield and to the rich traditions of the Blues styles of music through the support of the arts and those involved with the arts. As PBFS grows and secures a sound operational foundation for the long stand we will strive to assist struggling artists with emergency relief, project support and cultural enrichment, particularly those creative endeavors with focus on projects dedicated to underprivileged and at risk children.”

In The Present

During some of those nights I spent in the hospital two years back, I started the thought processes that would eventually bring this blog to life. Through the persona of The Blues Blogger I utilized the healing power of music and re-discovered my love for writing as a result. When I think back and reflect on all the tunes that took place back then, it’s no wonder I developed an innate passion for music… The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s East West stands out as a timeless and remarkably influential electric blues LP that even after 43 years many of us continue to remember and will never forget…

(Currently I’ve never felt better, and the events of 2 years ago made me make some serious changes. I’ve lost 70 pounds, continue to exercise daily and eat way better than I ever have thanks to my wife…)

Please Add Your Comments Below

So now it’s your turn? Has the music of Paul Butterfield played any significance in your life? Were you aware of the importance of this album in music history? Did you also know that Paul Butterfield is currently not in the rock n roll hall of fame? Don’t you think that should change?

Be Well,

The Blues Blogger

Delta Blues: TheBluesBlogger’s 2nd Anniversary Prize Giveaway

————THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ————-

Congratulations to Jan R-B!!! She is the winner of the Delta Blues Book Giveaway. Jan is also known as @LOLAsFeedAnFuel on twitter… Thanks to everyone who entered the draw.

Delta Blues: The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music

As a way of saying thank you to all readers of TheBluesBlogger, and at the same time have a little fun, I’m giving away one copy of the book Delta Blues by Ted Gioia. This is the hard cover edition of the book that takes a historical journey through time and examines the mood and atmosphere that is the basis for most popular music we know and love today. Gioia provides insight into the early life and career of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King. From the novice lover of the blues to the most knowledgeable music fan, this is a book I’m sure you’ll find intriguing.

Take a Peek Inside the Book.

Five Possible Entries In The Random Draw – Here’s How –

Clicking the link here on this line will open an email form that is good for 1 entry:

Of course I’ll need your name and email address:
On the subject line put: Delta Blues Giveaway
In the message body: This can be anything. Just let me know you want to be entered in the random giveaway.

(The above information will be kept confidential. No spam I promise!)

Copy and Paste the Following Message on Twitter For 1 Entry:

RT @thebluesblogger Retweet & follow for 1 entry in the Delta #Blues book giveaway. More info at http://ow.ly/thlK #deltabluesdraw

My StumbleUpon Friends

Thumbs up this post and write a brief comment on SU for 1 entry.

The Last Way to Enter

is to simply write any insightful comment regarding this post. For example it could be something about your favorite Delta Blues artist. Or perhaps a memorable song from the past. Maybe you just want to mention an article you read that struck a chord. It’s really up to you… For adding any comments to this post I will add 2 entries into the random draw…

This random prize giveaway will close 11:00 pm eastern time in the U.S. on October 30th. Winners will be contacted by email and must reply by twelve noon November 1st eastern time in the United States, otherwise a new entry will be drawn… Good luck and have fun!

This random prize giveaway is only available in The United States and Canada… But don’t be too disappointed, soon I will announce an additional giveaway that will be available in a few more countries internationally just to be fair to all my readers… Stay tuned!

This blog started as a therapeutic means for me to deal with the aftershock of my heart attack 2 years ago this month. TheBluesBlogger was a comfortable vehicle for me to share my personal experiences and merge them together with my love of music and writing… Since then it has grown beyond my wildest expectations. Over the past 2 years, I’ve received some extremely positive and heart felt messages in which I’m eternally grateful. To all readers of this blog old and new, thanks for letting me share my thoughts along with the music and the times I so fondly remember. And of course the new sounds that continue to inspire and motivate me. Your comments, input and words of encouragement mean more to me than I can ever say…

All The Best,

TheBluesBlogger

Joe Louis Walker: Electrifying New Album Between A Rock And The Blues

Even though it’s TheBluesBlogger’s 2nd Anniversary this month, it didn’t me give me an excuse to not work on a few lingering fall projects around the house. I usually allot time in the afternoons on the weekend to listen to some of the music that grabs my interest and complete some of these tasks. I’ll put on my earphones and let the feeling the music brings assist in keeping me motivated. And then Saturday or Sunday night I’ll sit down and write the majority of articles you read here…

Joe Louis Walker’s latest release Between A Rock And The Blues didn’t land on my desk by fluke. I was really looking forward to this one. Last year’s Witness to the Blues on Stony Plain Records was a fantastic mix of many genres tastefully produced by music legend Duke Robillard. I heard JLW would play a few different things and perhaps discover a bit more of his rockier roots this time around… As I pressed play the enthusiastic opening cut “I’m Tide” instantly grabbed my attention and stopped me dead in my tracks…

 
icon for podpress  I'm Tide [3:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Immediately I thought, “Projects around the house? I don’t think so.” I was too knocked out for any of that! Not this afternoon anyway. Instead my eyes veered at one of my guitars that hung on the wall. Even thought I thought about it many times before, it had been over a year since I took it down. It only took ten minutes of listening to Between A Rock And The Blues to make it actually happen.

Starting where Witness to the Blues left off, songs like “I’m Tide” and Travis Phillips’ “Eyes Like a Cat,” with it’s honey dripping groove and the soulful horn laced “Black Widowed Spider,” (Walker’s personal recollection of his past marriage) were simple yet well produced catchy tunes with first class musicianship. Most of the songs on this release are bit of a mixed bag, but that’s not a complaint. They are definitely well constructed tunes that are upbeat and infectious. Walker really showcases his extraordinary song-writing skills on this record…

While listening to the album’s fourth cut “If There’s a Heaven” I quickly learned some of the chords and then drifted off wherever the music took me. “If There’s a Heaven” and its gospel textures features former The Tonight Show director Kevin Eubanks on guitar on one of two tracks that was co-written and recorded at Eubank’s studio in Los Angeles. The other is “I’ve Been Down,” an upbeat number reminiscent of The Stones at their finest…

Now I’m not a guitar player and I will never pretend to be, but the music on Joe Louis Walker’s Between A Rock And The Blues took something over inside of me. It didn’t matter how good, bad or ridiculous I may have sounded playing the guitar. That wasn’t the point, because in my mind I felt like I was jamming along pretty good and there was no one else around to tell me otherwise. I didn’t fight it; I just let my mind drift as I played along to the rock filled riffs and catchy heartfelt tunes.

Joe Louis Walker

was born on December 25, 1949, in San Francisco. His parents were migrant farm workers from Arkansas. When they moved to California, the family brought along their extensive collection of 78 rpm blues recordings. Walker grew up listening to these sounds and was drawn to them. His family was religious, and gospel music became a central focus. As a youngster, Walker would sing gospel at his grandmother’s church, and then professionally in his early career. He never let go of his gospel roots and it serves as the underlying theme for most of his music.

During grade school he was captivated by all the different musical instruments. And Walker would take home and experiment with as many as he could… At the age of 12 he bought his first guitar and he began to play. He took lessons at 14 and learned techniques from his cousins, who at the time had formed a band. Walker started to play the clubs in his early teens, but his fixation would lead him to ignore his schoolwork. As a result his studies suffered until he stopped attending school altogether. This led to an ultimatum by his father of returning to school or leaving home. Accepting the ladder, Walker went his own way at 16.

Shortly after leaving home he became friends and roommates with Mike Bloomfield. Together they often performed at The Matrix in San Francisco; a popular club where the guys often performed as an opening act for stars like Muddy Waters. Opportunities unfolded and Walker would make the acquaintances of prominent professional blues men such as Lightnin’ Hopkins, Freddie King, and John Lee Hooker. He also found himself jamming with the likes of The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few.

After the Death of His Friend Mike Bloomfield

Walker reassessed both himself and his career. He changed his lifestyle, enrolled in college and earned degrees in music and English. In those days he performed regularly with the Spiritual Corinthians gospel group.

Returning to the blues in 1985, he put together his band The Bosstalkers and signed with HighTone Records. There he released five albums. Then he moved to PolyGram’s Verve/Gitanes label and recorded six more albums. Walker has also performed on countless records as a guest with artists ranging from B.B. King to Peter Green…

In 1988 he performed for President George H. W. Bush at a musical presentation called “The Celebration for Young America”, playing alongside Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Cocker, Ron Wood, Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor, among others.
(photo by Robin Poritzky-Walker)

“My dream was always to play my music in as many different places as I can; that’s why I admired Louis Armstrong and why B.B. King and Buddy Guy are heroes for me — they always kept their music fresh by reaching out to new audiences all the time.”

Ten of the tracks on Between A Rock And The Blues were once again produced by music wizard Duke Robillard, who also guests on the swinging “Tell Me Why.” Murali Coryell (son of jazz/rock fusion guitarist Larry Coryell ) wrote “Way to Expensive,” a tune that comments on the current economic situation. And then there’s one of my favorites I played several times over; the haunting and emotional eighth cut “Hallways.” Some of Walker’s covers like Ray Charles’ “Blackjack,” Roy Gaines’ “Big Fine Woman” and Travis Phillips’ “Eyes Like a Cat” are fantastic additions that add a nice balance to this wonderful and rousing recording.

The album’s title is not totally just a play on words. Walker proves without a doubt that he is the real deal and is a force to be reckoned with. With all his musical experience, Walker explores his blues influences and takes them to new heights. With this release he creates an electrifying surge of creative energy that while often exploratory, remains firmly entrenched somewhere between a rock and the blues…

I soon realized that nothing got done around the house this past weekend. Oh well, it’s doesn’t happen often. Besides it’s my Anniversary! (Well I’ll try using that as an excuse and see what happens.) Coming back from little trip, I now hang up my guitar and turn this post over to you… Were you aware of Joe Louis Walker’s San Francisco musical roots? Have you heard Between A Rock And The Blues yet? If not, you should! JLW is an exciting musician with a smart, witty and impressive song-writing flare… Please feel free to comment below. Your input as always is appreciated and helps enhance the article.

TheBluesBlogger

Upcoming Joe Louis Walker Tour Dates:

October

9th Albany, OR | Venetian Theater, Joe only w/Tommy Castro Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Revue
10th San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall, Joe only w/Tommy Castro Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Revue
15th Teaneck, NJ | Mexicali Blues
21st & 22nd Oakland, CA | Yoshi’s

November

13th-19th Athens, Greece | Half Note Jazz Club
28th Rosedale, MD | Rosedale Legion Hall

December

5th Woodstock, NY | Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble