Mike Bloomfield – Bloomfield – 2xLP

Bloomfield: A Retrospective gathers Mike Bloomfield’s most defining moments across his career, from his groundbreaking work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band to collaborations with Electric Flag and solo efforts. The live version of “Born In Chicago,” recorded at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival during Bob Dylan’s electrified set, captures a pivotal moment in blues and rock history. Alongside tracks like “Killing Floor” and “Albert’s Shuffle,” this double album showcases Bloomfield’s mastery of the blues guitar and his role in shaping the genre’s crossover appeal in the 1960s and ’70s. It’s a thorough look at an artist who could make a six-string sing with both fire and subtlety. This 1983 pressing offers a solid presentation of the retrospective on vinyl, well-suited to those who want a substantial overview of Bloomfield’s work without hunting down individual releases. The double LP format allows for a generous selection of tracks, including an intriguing “Interview Segment” and “Newport Folk Festival Introduction,” which add context to the music. The vinyl here is in very clean condition, showing only minor light marks and scuffs typical for a record of this age. If you appreciate blues history delivered with both grit and grace, this set is a well-rounded listen that fits comfortably into a serious blues or ’60s rock collection. After all, not every retrospective comes with a live electric Dylan cameo to remind you that history can sometimes surprise even the most seasoned ears.