Nick Gravenites with Michael Bloomfield - My Labors & More (with Bloomfield) [1969] @320 (Blues)

Following on from the Barry Goldberg post, this album again showcases the guitar of Michael Bloomfield. In this case, however, it is a genuine Gravenities album.

Gravenities is an unsung force in the development of US white blues. His biggest claim to fame is being brains behind Janis Joplin's masterpiece, "Pearl" It was Gravenities who organized the band, arranged the tunes and, I think, produced. He also worked for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Quicksilver Messenger Service and the Electric Flag.

Of his solo work, such as it is, this is the most impressive. Possessor of a soulful voice, he also is a excellent musician and often played with Bloomfield.

This version of the album has additional tracks from "Live From Bill Graham's Fillmore West" The reason for this is simply that half of the original album is live from the same show, this merely brings more of this material together. Just why they did that and not simply re-release the whole album as a second disc is, of course, an example of the mysteries of record company logic.

Nonetheless, these tracks come from a classic album and whilst providing filler, merely make you want the remainder of the album, which features an all star cast including a guest spot on a few tracks from Taj Mahal.

It is the live tracks that stand out here, as they are a good vehicle for Bloomfield to stretch out.

Throughly recommended.

Killing My Love

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