Friday, February 12, 2021

Various Artists - Mill Valley Bunch Casting Pearls (1972 us, amazing electric blues rock)



In 1972 a group of American musicians united by friendship and a common passion for good music (blues, in particular), came together in Mill Valley to give life to these amazing jam sessions, which after more than 30 years have finally been made available again. The original LP was released with 7 tracks from the session, but now, thanks to the extended playing time available on CD, the complete session (16 tracks) has finally been restored to its entirety. Following Bloomfied's and Nick Gravenites' lead, the musicians alternate on the various tracks, bringing their unique style to each song and the relaxed studio atmosphere shines through in the music's natural flow. Musicians include: Barry Goldberg on piano, Michael Shrieve (ex-Santana) on drums, Spencer Dryden (ex-Jefferson Airplaine) on drums, Lee Michaels on piano, Mark Ryan (ex-Quicksilver Messenger Service) on bass, and more!
Tracks
1. Honky-Tonk Blues (Hank Williams) - 2:03
2. Betty And Dupree - 3:40
3. Ooh-Ooh-Ooh,La,La,La - 3:23 
4. Run For Cover - 3:36
5. What Would I Do Without My Baby - 5:23
6. Mellow Mountain Wine - 4:48
7. Let Me Down Easy - 6:31 
8. Jimmy's Blues - 2:58 
9. Young Girl's Blues (Jani's Blues) - 3:46
10.Letting Go Ain't Easy (Richard Dey) - 4:23
11.Bye Bye I'm Goin' - 2:20
12.Bells Are Going To Ring - 3:58
13.I've Had It (Ray Ceroni, Carl Boruna) - 3:33
14.Bedroom Blues (Nick Gravenites) - 7:14
15.Your Hollywood Blues (Nick Gravenites) - 4:29 
16.Go Home Blues (Nick Gravenites) - 5:05
All songs by Michael Bloomfield except where indicated

Musicians
*Michael Bloomfield - Bass, Electric, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Vocals
*Nick Gravenites - Guitar, Vocals
*Barry Goldberg - Organ
*Mark Naftalin - Organ, Piano
*Pete Sears - Piano
*Ira Kamin - Organ, Piano
*Lee Michaels - Organ, Piano
*John Kahn - Bass
*Mark Ryan - Bass (Ex. Country Joe And Fish, Quicksilver M. S.)
*Spencer Dryden - Drums (Ex. Jefferson Airplane)
*Michael Shrieve - Drums (Ex. Santana)
*Bill Vit - Drums (Ex. Hooteroll)
*Rick Jaeger - Drums (Ex. AB Skhy, Crowfoot)
*Russell Dashiel - Guitar (Ex. AB Skhy, Crowfoot)
*The Pointer Sisters - Vocals
*Chicken Billy Thornton - Vocal 
*Dino Andino - Congas 
*Ace Of Cups - Vocals
*Ron Cimille - Acoustic, Rhythm Guitar
*Rick Dey - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
*Tony Doe - Drums 
*Dr. Rick Jaeger - Drums
*Jeffrey James - Drums
*Denise Jewkes - Vocals 
*Jeneatte And Co. Jones - Vocals
*Tom Richards - 12 String Guitar
*Craig Tarwater - Guitar
*Rev. Ron Stallings - Vocals 
*Blue Gravy - Piano, Drums, Bass
*Steve Doe - Piano
*Fred Doe - Lead Guitar
*Doug Doe - Bass

1964  The Original Lost Elektra Sessions
1965  The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
1966  East West
1966  The Butterfield Blues Band - East-West (2014 Hybrid SACD limited adition) 
1966-68  Strawberry Jam
1967  Electric Flag - The Trip
1968  The Super Sessions (2014 Hybrid Multichannel SACD 24/88) 
1968-69  Electric Flag - An American Music Band / A Long Time Comin'  
196?-7?  The Electric Flag - Live
1968  Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield - The Lost Concert Tapes, Filmore East
1969  Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper - The Live Adventures
1969  Michael Bloomfield with Nick Gravenites And Friends - Live At Bill Graham's Fillmore West
1969  Nick Gravenites - My Labors
1970-71  Big Brother And The Holding Company - Be A Brother / How Hard It Is