Analine / Michael Bloomfield
Mike Bloomfield will need no introduction to aficionados of blues rock and Bob Dylan! These are Bloomfield’s first two albums for the Takoma label originally released in 77 and 78.
On Analine Bloomfield plays acoustic country blues and is unaccompanied on seven of the nine tracks (also writing over half the material). Bloomfield also plays folk, gospel, and Hawaiian style numbers. He sings originals about cancer Big ‘C’ Blues and an unlucky voyeur in the light-hearted Peepin’ an’ a Moanin’ Blues. The title track has some amazing mandolin and accordion and his version of Duke Ellington’s Mood Indigo has a lively swing groove.
The self-titled album has Bloomfield playing blues standards with his iconic ferocious guitar style. He adds something unusual in Knockin’ Myself Out by playing lead acoustic guitar and six-string banjo; and gives a haunting version of Blind Lemon Jefferson‘s See That My Grave Is Kept Clean. My Children, My Children has a funky touch and The Gospel Truth is an instrumental that demonstrates Bloomfield’s guitar talent.
It was terrific to discover that these gems are now available for the first time on CD (and on one disc, even better) as they were previously as rare as hen’s teeth!
Release November, 2007
