I think some time back the list was discussing some of Butterfield's early
work.  I've been listening to a live version of "East-West" the last 20
minutes or so,  and it has struck me that this was really a metamorphosis
for him.  I mean this is early hard rock,  and has to be some of the
first stuff that came out with extended guitar solos and tandem guitar
"battles."  In that song I hear riffs that were copied almost lick for lick
by the Rolling Stones on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking",  as well as some
licks that sure sound a lot like the Allman and Betts guitar work on "Mountain
Jam."  Oh yeah,  and Butterfield even squeezes in some harp along the
way!  Not jazz,  not really blues,  but an attempt to bring the
harp into the emerging acid rock that was breaking loose.  Definitely some
primitive work by Bloomfield and Bishop,  but these guys should be counted
among the founding fathers of the psychedelic/acid rock/hard rock
movement,  such as Vanilla Fudge, Iron Butterfly, etc.  This is even
pre-Airplane and Dead.  Just my read.

 

Peace,

 

Kevin  <><