Search - Paul Butterfield :: Original Lost Elektra Sessions

Why was this music scrapped?!

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 10/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Even though this page only lists five tracks, "The Original Lost Electra Sessions" is not an EP, it's a 19-track CD.All but one of these 19 tracks were recorded in December, 1964, as Paul Butterfield's projected first LP, but the results were (inexplicably) scrapped and replaced by the band's official self-titled debut, cut a few months later. With both Sam Lay, Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield already onboard, these sessions are very similar in feel to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's first album. It's perhaps a little bit rawer in production and performance, but not really worse or different than what ended up on the actual debut LP. Dedicated primarily to electric Chicago blues standards, it opens with a somewhat rushed take on "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl", followed by a great "Just To Be With You" with some sublime harp playing by Paul Butterfield.Butterfield also does a pretty good Sonny Boy Williamson (II) on a faithful rendition of "Help Me", and there are many more highlights, including an excellent rendition of the classic blues shuffle "Poor Boy", a slow, smouldering "It Hurts Me Too", an alternate version of the fine original "Our Love Is Drifting", a great, swinging "Take Me Back Baby", Jimmy Rogers' "That's All Right", and yet another Tampa Red-tune, "Love Her With A Feeling".
The band also lay down a really good version of Jimmy Oden's "Goin' Down Slow", and the originals "Lovin' Cup" and the fiery instrumental "Nut Popper #1" are excellent.Virtually everything here is worth a listen, actually. It's not highly original, but The Paul Butterfield Blues Band's versions of these classic Chicago blues tunes are among the best and most convincing blues music ever waxed by a (primarily) white blues band. And any serious blues guitar lover will want to hear Mike Bloomfield's supremely tasty, economical playing.Paul Butterfield fans will find this album well worth acquiring, as most of the selections were never officially recorded by the band's original lineup.
Great, classic blues."

The Best White Harpist Ever

wednightprayermeeting | Bellview, CA | 11/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is some of the earliest Butterfield available. The takes on this album were scrapped (or thought to be scrapped) for the more produced tunes that appear on first album. In my opinion, a lot of these takes are better than what appears on the first album. Butterfield's rendition of "Just To Be With You" (Muddy Waters)is absolutely awe-inspiring. Jimmy Rodgers' "That's Alright" is as good as the original, although different. And Little Walter's "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright" is a jam. All of these takes are amazing, and definately not to be missed."

A great blues recording.

E. Joy | Texas, USA | 01/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have heard the white vs. black bluesman argument for years and years. I've always felt that it isn't the color of the skin that's important when it comes to the music but rather the soul of the musician. Given that, this is a great blues album by a band of soulful bluesmen. Butterfields harp is as hot as ever and the guitars of Bloomfield and Bishop are the epitome of the blues. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band were one of the greatest blues bands ever assembled and this recording is evidence of that fact. My only question is how this music has gone unheard for all of these years?"