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Album: East-West
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 683









Released: 1966
Length: 7:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Instrumental)
Comments (125)add comment
 oldfart48 wrote:
THE ALBUM THAT CHANGEED ROCK MUSIC FOREVER.....{#Sunny}{#Bananajam}{#Good-vibes}
 
My older cousin gifted me this record when he was moving in 1969.  I was 14 and played it until there were new grooves.  It changed me forever!!! 
¡Mi gozo en un pozo! O sea que, después de TANTOS años, resulta que La Canción del Trabajo de Raphael ¡no era original! Bueno, en fin, al menos el estilo suyo era muy, muy suyo :-)
 WonderLizard wrote:

Bloomfield had speed issues, which interfered both with the quantity and quality of his playing. When he was on, he was the best; but when he was speeding—and, say, had been awake for 3-4 days—he could screw it up big time. That's why Kooper called Stills in to finish the Super Session album and had to put out a call when he was recording The Live Adventures of Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield. FWIW, his peers (Cippolina, Santana, Kaukonen, Levenger, Banana, Duncan, Bishop, and so on) revered him. If you ever saw him play live and relatively straight, you'd understand: no one could touch him. A troubled soul. RIP.

 
If you want to hear some mind-blowing Bloomfield, check out the first Electric Flag album. Real genius, and underrated IMHO.
 gregr79 wrote:
From 8 down to a 6 and leveled off @ 7  -  having trouble keeping the handle on this one  {#Think}
 

First time hearing this and I'm starting at 6. Is it blues? Jazz fusion? Legendary names in the band but this doesn't thrill me. 
 DD gypsyman wrote:
I walked into the room, heard this, and said to myself, "Gee, that sounds like Paul Butterfield".

Shit, I'm getting old.
 
Old is when you no longer recognize a classic tune.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
We've got a groovy thing going, baby!
 
One of the best groovy things!
We've got a groovy thing going, baby!
 sejoevia wrote:
As a 16 year-old Beatles fan, my fellow band mate (21 years old) took me to see the BBB in Boston. He played their Born In Chicago album for me before it and I nearly puked - did nothing for me. We went to the show and it was actually a life changing experience for a guitarist. Mind you the album East West had just been released (65-ish?) and a 16 year-old Beatles fan is sitting there saying HOLY CRAP! Watching Bloomfield and Bishop was amazing! I rode home that night and couldn't sleep for hours. Pulled my guitar out and started trying to figure out what they were doing. So, almost 50 years later people are commenting on what they consider modal crap. They were way ahead of their time and I'm happy for it.

Now, can someone tell me who plays the first guitar solo? Bloomfield of Bishop? 
 

Bloomfield plays the first solo (right channel). 
From 8 down to a 6 and leveled off @ 7  -  having trouble keeping the handle on this one  {#Think}
THE ALBUM THAT CHANGEED ROCK MUSIC FOREVER.....{#Sunny}{#Bananajam}{#Good-vibes}
6.6 average! people are unfair that's all. at least 8 in my opinion.
That harmonica orgy is really f//king my hung over brains, terrible stuff...
I think Bill is a genius.
 

helgigermany wrote:
very, very, very nice!

 


very, very, very nice!
{#Yell}    My transducers are blasting!
 

gatorade wrote:
Now we're getting someplace! {#Bananasplit}

 



This is the kind of stuff that sends my head through the roof....and not in a good way...time for PSD!
 sejoevia wrote:
As a 16 year-old Beatles fan, my fellow band mate (21 years old) took me to see the BBB in Boston. He played their Born In Chicago album for me before it and I nearly puked - did nothing for me. We went to the show and it was actually a life changing experience for a guitarist. Mind you the album East West had just been released (65-ish?) and a 16 year-old Beatles fan is sitting there saying HOLY CRAP! Watching Bloomfield and Bishop was amazing! I rode home that night and couldn't sleep for hours. Pulled my guitar out and started trying to figure out what they were doing. So, almost 50 years later people are commenting on what they consider modal crap. They were way ahead of their time and I'm happy for it.

Now, can someone tell me who plays the first guitar solo? Bloomfield of Bishop? 
 
Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, etc. are shaking their heads at you.  You gotta be kidding me... this is the Blues equivalent to Elvis "being original."

At least Mayall was more raw.
 gypsyman wrote:
I walked into the room, heard this, and said to myself, "Gee, that sounds like Paul Butterfield".

Shit, I'm getting old.
 
Bwahahaha.
Now we're getting someplace! {#Bananasplit}
Good thing the statues' mammaries are cloaked, otherwise John Ashcroft woulda' come a knockin'
There needs to be a new rating listing added somewhere near the bottom that just says 'OUCH!'
 Sjaaks wrote:


No you've got to be kidding. This sounds like Steven Seagal and his shitty band. This guy has no idea what he's doing with his guitar. It sounds like the only thing he's trying to do is make sure he fills every second with all the notes he can play. There really is no logic whatsoever in what he's doing... It's all pentatonic scales so believe me, as a guitar player myself, it's not even difficult what he's doing...

So does somebody equal him? I can not think of a guitar player in the entire RP playlist that's worse than this guy, no, SERIOUSLY.

2
 
Bloomfield could be brilliant at times, but perhaps his substance abuse problems may have prevented him from being brilliant all the time.
 Sjaaks wrote:
No you've got to be kidding. This sounds like Steven Seagal and his shitty band. This guy has no idea what he's doing with his guitar. It sounds like the only thing he's trying to do is make sure he fills every second with all the notes he can play. There really is no logic whatsoever in what he's doing... It's all pentatonic scales so believe me, as a guitar player myself, it's not even difficult what he's doing...

So does somebody equal him? I can not think of a guitar player in the entire RP playlist that's worse than this guy, no, SERIOUSLY.

2
 
You missed this, to be sure:

 
 sejoevia wrote:
Now, can someone tell me who plays the first guitar solo? Bloomfield of Bishop? 
 
Bloomfield—generally in the right channel.
....great...can´t stop shakin my ass to that......{#Dancingbanana_2}
A genuinely seminal album in the popularization of Blues in the mid-60s.  Waaay too good to be commercial.
 gypsyman wrote:
I walked into the room, heard this, and said to myself, "Gee, that sounds like Paul Butterfield".

Shit, I'm getting old.
 
Well, just think, eventually you may get so old that you won't recognize the work of musical artists.
I walked into the room, heard this, and said to myself, "Gee, that sounds like Paul Butterfield".

Shit, I'm getting old.
I love old stereo - no fancy mix - like a tiny band playing on my desk.
As a 16 year-old Beatles fan, my fellow band mate (21 years old) took me to see the BBB in Boston. He played their Born In Chicago album for me before it and I nearly puked - did nothing for me. We went to the show and it was actually a life changing experience for a guitarist. Mind you the album East West had just been released (65-ish?) and a 16 year-old Beatles fan is sitting there saying HOLY CRAP! Watching Bloomfield and Bishop was amazing! I rode home that night and couldn't sleep for hours. Pulled my guitar out and started trying to figure out what they were doing. So, almost 50 years later people are commenting on what they consider modal crap. They were way ahead of their time and I'm happy for it.

Now, can someone tell me who plays the first guitar solo? Bloomfield of Bishop? 
Somebody is playing too fast, or not fast enough, or something. I can't sort out the rhythm in my head, I get confused then someone starts up something completely different...is it supposed to be confused? Don't get me wrong...I can keep up, just not with this band.
Plus, the harp just sucks, I hate his harp.
 bytejunkie55 wrote:

you gotta be kidding right. Lets see who today equals him.
hmmm, still thinking....still thinking....

 

No you've got to be kidding. This sounds like Steven Seagal and his shitty band. This guy has no idea what he's doing with his guitar. It sounds like the only thing he's trying to do is make sure he fills every second with all the notes he can play. There really is no logic whatsoever in what he's doing... It's all pentatonic scales so believe me, as a guitar player myself, it's not even difficult what he's doing...

So does somebody equal him? I can not think of a guitar player in the entire RP playlist that's worse than this guy, no, SERIOUSLY.

2
There are awesome guitar solos and there is this. Who said, that drugs are good for music?
 ncollingridge wrote:

Couldn't agree more. Self indulgent noodling with no sense of melody and very dodgy rhythm. Add to that some totally uninspired bass and drums and this represents two hours (at least - it may have been longer) out of my life.
 
you gotta be kidding right. Lets see who today equals him.
hmmm, still thinking....still thinking....

Speaking of shitty covers...!

The Buttermilk Blues Band, on the other hand, was great!

From today's point of view onlyl good enough for a "Blues Night" in the diaspora, though!
 spaceman wrote:

I don't know which one Mike Bloomfield is, but I thought all of the guitar solo parts were pretty horrible. Especially the ones on the right stereo channel. If that's Mike Bloomfield, I really don't understand what's so great about him. The whole thing sounds like a drunken jam session at best, not something I'd consider ready for release.
 
Couldn't agree more. Self indulgent noodling with no sense of melody and very dodgy rhythm. Add to that some totally uninspired bass and drums and this represents two hours (at least - it may have been longer) out of my life.
It's 1965 and out of nowhere this LP shows up. In contrast to day's music, and today's listeners, I'll give you that this may sound a bit dated. To me, however, it's still an all-time classic that totally stood out from any other popular music (so-called "race records" excluded, to which I had yet to have any significant exposure).

Please approach with a open mind, haters... I think you're missing out. 
Back in the day, I regularly heard Saturday night bar bands that tried to sound just like this.

Ruler
Annoying song.....{#No}.................................*mute*
 spigolli wrote:
Love the stereo separation - why's it so rare these days?
 
I've been asking the same question for years.  It makes a recording more enjoyable for me.
Maybe if I had only one ear...

I've always enjoyed this tune, but my favorite version was done by Eric Burden and the Animals. I heard it on "The Sixties on the Beeb". It's a series of interviews and recording made on the BBC from around 1964 through 1970. A gem if you can find it.
Nightly mosquitoes are more enjoyable.
Bill, you're so cruel to inflict us this thing !
Maybe it is called the Work Song because it still needs a little more work...
 tiggers wrote:
Way way too long and that guitar sound is horrible in places. A nice solid 2 as no matter how bad it is it ain't Bob Dylan
 

Well then... you may wanna pass on a live version of Maggie's Farm at the Newport Folk Festival ('64? '65?) when Dylan and Mike Bloomfield tore the place up as one generation passed the torch to another!
I remember one dreary San Francisco night in late 1969 going over to Keystone Korner to catch some nightlife. And what  night it was Kooper and Bloomfield wailing as the Butterfield Blues Band. Yowsa!
 Govi wrote:
Every time I hear this and the first Butterfield albums—and particularly this song—I relish all the tasty playing from everyone in this band, but especially that of Mike Bloomfield. His guitar playing is just so elegantly effortless.
 
I don't know which one Mike Bloomfield is, but I thought all of the guitar solo parts were pretty horrible. Especially the ones on the right stereo channel. If that's Mike Bloomfield, I really don't understand what's so great about him. The whole thing sounds like a drunken jam session at best, not something I'd consider ready for release.

 glydev wrote:
I remember back when we used to argue who was the better guitarist, Mike Bloomfield or Peter Green (I'm not sure why they were always paired against each other - maybe the "white boy" blues guitarist tag) After hearing this again, Peter Green had nothing to worry about - The guitar soloing on this track is actually painful. I honestly never understood why Bloomfield was held in such high regard.
I thought Stephen Stills saved the first "super session" lp....
 
Bloomfield had speed issues, which interfered both with the quantity and quality of his playing. When he was on, he was the best; but when he was speeding—and, say, had been awake for 3-4 days—he could screw it up big time. That's why Kooper called Stills in to finish the Super Session album and had to put out a call when he was recording The Live Adventures of Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield. FWIW, his peers (Cippolina, Santana, Kaukonen, Levenger, Banana, Duncan, Bishop, and so on) revered him. If you ever saw him play live and relatively straight, you'd understand: no one could touch him. A troubled soul. RIP.

Love the stereo separation - why's it so rare these days?
please make it go away!
 glydev wrote:
I remember back when we used to argue who was the better guitarist, Mike Bloomfield or Peter Green (I'm not sure why they were always paired against each other - maybe the "white boy" blues guitarist tag) After hearing this again, Peter Green had nothing to worry about - The guitar soloing on this track is actually painful. I honestly never understood why Bloomfield was held in such high regard.
I thought Stephen Stills saved the first "super session" lp....
 
Maybe you should have had a talk with Muddy Waters.  Mike was one of his favorite "young" guitar players.  Not too shabby of a recommendation I would think.

Painful noodling on multiple annoying instruments. Ugh. This is so bad it's almost a joke. Is it? Tell me it is!! {#Pray}
 fuh2 wrote:
Cool ambiance -9 up
 

The guitar is LOUD and RIGHT!  Harmonica helps in a good way!

Man, these guys had the chops. I used to spool this up on the reel-to-reel for big outdoor parties, and just let the good times roll. Seems like Heaven, from here anyway. {#Wave}
Cool ambiance -9 up
Great song from a great blues album with some of the best musicians of the time.  Bloomfield and Bishop definitely played well together on this one.
Growing up I was lucky to have friends who were smart enough or discriminating enough or whatever to listen to this.
I remember back when we used to argue who was the better guitarist, Mike Bloomfield or Peter Green (I'm not sure why they were always paired against each other - maybe the "white boy" blues guitarist tag) After hearing this again, Peter Green had nothing to worry about - The guitar soloing on this track is actually painful. I honestly never understood why Bloomfield was held in such high regard.
I thought Stephen Stills saved the first "super session" lp....
Way way too long and that guitar sound is horrible in places. A nice solid 2 as no matter how bad it is it ain't Bob Dylan
 sirrus wrote:
...hoping Natalie Merchant doesn't sneak her way into this one...{#Shifty}
 
{#Pray} we can only pray

Sheesh!

First of all, if you know anything about Butterfield's history, then you know that the Chicago cats considered him one of their own. Period. So don't give me that "white boy blues" crap. (BTW, note that this was an integrated band, then see the year reference below.)

Second, Mike Bloomfield was one of the greatest pioneering electric guitar players that lived. And when you consider that this was recorded no later than 1965, all of this is even more outstanding!

Oh, and Elvin Bishop was definitely leaning over Mike's shoulder learning how to really play. (Elvin was not all unhappy to have Mike depart to form the Electric Flag!)

Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop on guitars, yeah!
WOW, What a blast from the past. Dig that bass!!!
Wicked! {#Cool}
 mandolin wrote:
...thank donkey it's not natalie merchant...
 
{#High-five}

...hoping Natalie Merchant doesn't sneak her way into this one...{#Shifty}
...thank donkey it's not natalie merchant...
whoa... work song!! been a long time since I heard that. takes me back! nice!!

nice verison.
 mgkiwi wrote:
This is sounding a bit lame - a bit white man blues. Maybe if he got rid of the 'erfield' part of his name, just a suggestion!
 
I think it's ok to be 'a bit white man' and play the blues............. but 'Can a Blue Man Play the Whites?'

 Govi wrote:
Every time I hear this and the first Butterfield albums—and particularly this song—I relish all the tasty playing from everyone in this band, but especially that of Mike Bloomfield. His guitar playing is just so elegantly effortless.

So few groups do instrumentals these days; why is that?

 
They can't play.

OK, that's not quite fair. There is also this:

https://blog.stayfreemagazine.org/2005/08/musical_attenti.html



Every time I hear this and the first Butterfield albums—and particularly this song—I relish all the tasty playing from everyone in this band, but especially that of Mike Bloomfield. His guitar playing is just so elegantly effortless.

So few groups do instrumentals these days; why is that?

How can this song get anything less than an 8? It freakin' sizzles!
Oooooooowwwwwwwwwww! My ears!!!!!!!! Great harmonica, bad, painful, guitar.
Love that Fender twin reverb !
Man. These crazy blues are giving me the blues.
Seminal cool. One of the best bands to ever blow out of the windy city along with Electric Flag and early CTA.
Cornelia wrote:
not for me while at work.. this is something i'd enjoy MUCH more live.
So would Paul and Mike!
Mari wrote:
... timeless piece of work! ten!
No, this gets a 100. A seminal album, especially considering when it appeared in the LP bins. The title track, East West, may sound a bit dated today, but it was W-A-Y ahead of its time, as was Mike Bloomfield, late of Butterfield and the Electric Flag. Recommended: The 3-disk Monterey Pop DVD set, available from your favorite mail-order rental outfit (that ships product in red mailers).
Is that Rolf Harris I can hear on the stylophon - god he's good!
BigDaddy_PA wrote:
Wow, and another ancient classic that's still outstanding! Go Michael Bloomfield.... we miss you!
It's Paul
This is sounding a bit lame - a bit white man blues. Maybe if he got rid of the 'erfield' part of his name, just a suggestion!
peyotecoyote wrote:
I dunno...just not feeling it today...I have a headache and those high, whiney notes are just murder on the nervous system...not to mention my head. *edit* Oh, man, I think this must mean...NO, DON'T SAY IT...I'm getting old...shit!
Or, after peyote you see you're really not a coyete, but hey atavism rules.
Call me when this noise is over.
Wow, and another ancient classic that's still outstanding! Go Michael Bloomfield.... we miss you!
jbtidwell wrote:
A lot of jamming, but not much soul.
still good enough for a 7
... timeless piece of work! ten!
A lot of jamming, but not much soul.
Looks like they are posing with Greek statues on the cover... Nice blues. So ready to hear Steve and the Stilettos tonight but I've still got six hours to go. BTW, for rockin' mouth harp from a contemporary blues kid, check out Jason Ricci and New Blood.(click here)
peyotecoyote wrote:
I dunno...just not feeling it today...I have a headache and those high, whiney notes are just murder on the nervous system...not to mention my head.
Tell me about it! I didn't even realize I had a headache until this song started.
One of my favorite blues-rock bands. This isn't one of my favorite tunes, but hearing a young Mike Bloomfield shred away gets me going.
7 (wailin geetar) + 1 (nostalgic typeface)
ouch. not a good thing to hear piped from my office sound system. can we relegate this one to weekend play only?
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
Didn't David Sanborn also play in this band?
Yes, but in the version of the band that recorded The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw and In My Own Dream, the two albums following East/West and Bloomfield's departure (to form The Electric Flag). That's Sanborn's great alto solo on "In My Own Dream" from that album.
peyotecoyote wrote:
I dunno...just not feeling it today...I have a headache and those high, whiney notes are just murder on the nervous system...not to mention my head.
Right there with ya'.... ouch.
ginger wrote:
Guitar masturbation.
Now that's a visual for you.
I dunno...just not feeling it today...I have a headache and those high, whiney notes are just murder on the nervous system...not to mention my head. *edit* Oh, man, I think this must mean...NO, DON'T SAY IT...I'm getting old...shit!
not for me while at work.. this is something i'd enjoy MUCH more live.
WonderLizard wrote:
The order of the solos: Guitar - Michael Bloomfield Harp - Butterfield Organ - Mark Naftalin Guitar - Elvin Bishop When they did this one live, Bloomfield and Bishop would cut each other to shreds. Incredible show. Incredible band.
Didn't David Sanborn also play in this band?
Guitar masturbation.
PB & Jam! Excellent Blues!
Paul was a bad-ass mother $%#@* Shut your mouth. I'm just talking about Paul Butterfield!
Quite a nice bluesy stretch you've got going there today/tonight, Bill, and I'm digging on it pretty well! Man, some Buddy Guy or the likes would sure hit the spot, too...
Listening to this, I feel like I should be in a circa 1965 smoke filled nightclub swigging highballs and doing my best to look cool. And I mean that in a good way.
awesome! more great memories!!!
Sounds a bit like early Quicksilver Messenger Service - Cippolinaesque
fretman wrote:
Blame it on Mike Bloomfield... He's the one that grabbed a 50's Les Paul and showed what kinds of cool tones it made. Everyone followed suit shortly thereafter (Clapton, Page, Allman, et al) and now you can't afford one. Well, at least I can't. Great stuff from a visionary. Great album, too.
I'm not sure that Clapton or Page learned about the Gibson Les Paul from Bloomfield. Clapton played one as early as '65 with the Bluesbreakers. For that matter Neil Young played a vintage Black Beauty with Buffalo Springfield around the same time. It may have just been something in the air.
redtex wrote:
If you can't say something nice, sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.
What, so only positive comments are allowed on this board? Oh dear, sorry I spoke and spoiled the RP Festival of Positivism ;-
One of my all-time favorite LPs! Was tough to beat the dual guitars of Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop along with PB's harmonica. Would love to hear the entire East-West cut on RP!
Can't get into it... :/ ~S.
ezzyme wrote:
So, who did write this song?
Nat Adderly
fredriley wrote:
I thought a legend was a foot? "Leg-end", geddit? :o) Whether or not he's a legend, this track hurts my ears also, so the volume is down to almost zero (I wouldn't want to miss the start of the next track in case it's a goodie). I do like the blues, but just not this particular style of playing.
If you can't say something nice, sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.
Blame it on Mike Bloomfield... He's the one that grabbed a 50's Les Paul and showed what kinds of cool tones it made. Everyone followed suit shortly thereafter (Clapton, Page, Allman, et al) and now you can't afford one. Well, at least I can't. Great stuff from a visionary. Great album, too.
Let's here more from PBBB!
Steve wrote:
That sounds like John Cippolina's handywork on the geetar.
The order of the solos: Guitar - Michael Bloomfield Harp - Butterfield Organ - Mark Naftalin Guitar - Elvin Bishop When they did this one live, Bloomfield and Bishop would cut each other to shreds. Incredible show. Incredible band.
wally42 wrote:
RP is a choice! Choose to turn you speakers down. Paul Butterfield is a legend. Irreplaceble in the history of the blues.
I thought a legend was a foot? "Leg-end", geddit? :o) Whether or not he's a legend, this track hurts my ears also, so the volume is down to almost zero (I wouldn't want to miss the start of the next track in case it's a goodie). I do like the blues, but just not this particular style of playing.
I still remember perfecting my harp technique with this one. I still play it (both the disc and the harp. I still got the vinyl !!) Great to hear it on RP.
wally42 wrote:
RP is a choice! Choose to turn you speakers down.
I did. I also chose to gripe on the boards. That is, after all, what they're here for. It's not like "Paul Butterfield is a legend" is any more or less valuable of a comment as "this sounds like kittens being tortured". Both of them are equally useless :)
So, who did write this song?