For those of us over 60..


What band's output would you say best describes you/your life as you see it?

For me, Allman Brothers
128x128slaw
Mike Bloomfield and whatever groups and combos he was playing with from Paul Butterfield, Bob Dylan, The Electric Flag. Al Kooper, and many more. Probably the premier American blues/rock guitarist, who burned himself and his talent out.

Personally I can’t relate to his substance abuse, but instead to his talent as an American blues artist, whose artistry is now gone with the wind, no matter how well he played in his heyday. It’s like all our hippie dreams that went up in smoke. Current politics makes me feel like we’re reliving the fifties, and instead of our hopes and dreams being realized, they went the way of Mike Bloomfield, great then, gone now. I do still hope for the future though, because there’s not another available option. Like Elvis Costello sang, "What’s so funny about peace, love, and understanding?" Hope it happens pretty soon, "Before I get old" though, because I’m 66 now.

That any closer to what you were looking for, slaw?

Mike
Not another available option? You gotta get out there man...If your "hopes and dreams" were hanging on Mike Bloomfield and you need an apolitical anti-depressant, get yourself some Julian Lage or John Scofield albums (And I have about 1200 more suggestions)...perk you right up.
Bloomfield was SO important to use suburban white brats, introducing us to genuine Blues guitar playing in The Paul Butterfield Band in 1965. I was lucky enough to see Mike, Buddy Miles (a monster drummer), and Harvey Brooks (great bass player) live in The Electric Flag in the Summer of 1968. God were they great. They made Hendrix and his rhythm section sound like a buncha p*ssies.
Why is Buddy Miles considered a great drummer?  Hendrix, Santana and Bloomfield all dug him, but I just don't hear it.  Love his vocals, guitar and even keyboard playing.  My main point of reference is John McLaughlin's "Devotion".  A stunning early fusion recording that Miles nearly derails.  Please educate me.

Electric Flag were a true American Music Band.