“You
know, I like sweet blues. . . . I want to be singing. I want to be sweet,” said
music legend Mike Bloomfield of his swampy vibe and searing, lyrical guitar
playing. His awesome instrumental prowess is on full display in this raucous documentary
celebrating the legacy of a hard-living, finger-fretting renegade. Described by
fellow icon Al Kooper as “not just another white boy [but] someone who truly
knew what the blues were about,” Bloomfield drew on African American tradition
while burnishing his licks with a radical compositional approach reflecting the
social and cultural upheaval of the 1960s. Dogged by heroin addiction,
Bloomfield passed away in 1981, but his sterling musicality as the embodiment
of Chicago blues lives on through the work of acolytes such as Carlos Santana,
B.B. King and Charlie Musselwhite, all of whom testify to the master’s enduring
influence in Bob Sarles’ lovingly crafted film. Sweet, indeed.
—Steven
Jenkins
**RELATED EVENT AT SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL & CAFE, SEPARATE TICKET REQUIRED, SEE BELOW
CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF MIKE BLOOMFIELD
Friday, October 11, 8:00 pm
Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave. Mill Valley
Tickets: $67 Visit: http://sweetwatermusichall.inticketing.com/events/348390 (not available through MVFF; Festival badges not valid)
Mike Bloomfield, Bob Sarles and Christina Keating’s raucous documentary on the groundbreaking blues guitarist and onetime Marin denizen features rare performance footage of Bloomfield wailing on his Les Paul as well as interviews with B.B. King, Bob Weir, Carlos Santana, Al Kooper, Charlie Musselwhite and other music legends. This tribute concert features musicians from the film alongside special guests, including musical director/guitarist Jimmy Vivino (The Conan O’Brien Show) and producer/keyboardist Barry Goldberg (Electric Flag), who together will lead an all-star band and jam featuring guitarist Nick Gravenites (Electric Flag) and award-winning vocalist Maria Muldaur. Just added: guitar masters Elvin Bishop and Harvey Mandel.
Produced for MVFF by Steep Productions, Inc. in association with Famous4.