MUSIC WEEKEND
Michael Bloomfield: guitar hero of blues-rock-urban-rural-country-jazz
I ran across an article about Michael Bloomfield when someone put out a four-disc set of his music. The set includes some live video of him, and of several guitar artists talking about him and his influence on modern music. He is a member of the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Somehow, as if by magic, Michael Bloomfield was able to master and fuse blues and rock, urban and rural, country and jazz. He learned his trade in the South Side Chicago blues clubs with Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. He loved and promoted B.B. King and Buddy Guy; they loved him right back. He played with Bob Dylan and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
I like guitar music. I like guitar players. Several of my best friends are amazing guitar players. Yet for some reason that I can’t quite explain, I have begun listening to Michael Bloomfield’s music — at least one track or video each day. Today, it is Michael Bloomfield’s cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” I can’t seem to get it out of my brain, out of my mind, out of my heart. He died way too young, but his music is very much a part of us, of me.
