It's Not Killing Me - Mike Bloomfield

Album Title : It's Not Killing Me

Artist  :  Mike Bloomfield

Genre  :  Honky R&B

Year  :  1969

Overall Rating  :  5*/10

     I know of Mike Bloomfield through the two albums he did with Al Kooper, who has always been one of my favorite honky R&B musicians.  It's Not Killing Me was Bloomfield's debut solo album, after stints with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (who?) and the Electric Flag (who?).

    Mike Bloomfield was a brilliant guitar player - he ranks #22 on the Rolling Stone "100 Greatest Guitarists Ever" list.  Here, he downplays that in favor of his song-writing skills (he penned all but one of the tracks) and his vocals.  Unfortunately, he couldn't carry a tune if you gave him a bucket.  So while INKM is a pleasant mix of blues, rock, hornsy Big Band, and even country-&-western genres, it gets pulled down every time Mike starts to sing.  Not surprisingly, this album got almost zero radio-play when it came out.

Track List (with my favorite ones in pink) :

01.) If You See My Baby

02.) For Anyone You Meet

03.) Good Old Guy

04.) Far Too Many Nights (great honky R&B)

05.) It's Not Killing Me

06.) Next Time You See Me

07.) Michael's Lament (more great blues)

08.) Why Must My Baby

09.) The Ones I Loved Are Gone

10.) Don't Think About It Baby

11.) Goofers (instrumental smoothness)

    Mike Bloomfield's career was hampered by a drug addiction that would eventually kill him via an overdose in 1981.  He's at his best on the two collaborative works with Al Kooper, where he can shine on guitar without having to struggle with vocals.  If you can ignore the singing on It's Not Killing Me, you'll find it holds some outstanding blues-rock that will sadly never see the light of day anymore.

    This was another LP-to-CD conversion on my part.  The vinyl was in good shape and cost me $7.50 at the nearby Half-Priced Bookstore.  I've wanted to hear this album for a long time but it's been hard to find.  If you're an Al Kooper enthusiast, it is a nice complement to his albums.  For everyone else, this is probably non-essential.  5 Stars.