Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #468: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
That typeface really makes it look like “Paul Buggerfield,” which would probably be the name of the band in “A Bug’s Life.”

#468

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Release Date: 1965

Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions:  Completely never heard of these fellas. Paul Butterfield is a blue-eyed leader of this blues/rock combo. Mid ’60s. Loaded with blues standards. Sure. Let’s put it on… Hmm, sounds kind of proto-Cream? “Born In Chicago” sets up the sound. Lots of energy, looseness, and has a gritty Chess records atmosophere that makes it almost sound like it was recorded live. It’s good, but I think I’d enjoy this better if I was watching it live. “Shake Your Money Maker” swings.  I know ZZ Top was listening to this back when their beards were just starting out. Butterfield is a solid singer and even better harp player and thankfully the music doesn’t seem to ever get into the dreaded “Blueshammer” territory (see video below.) I guess a blues record was kind of novelty at the time since blues was losing out to rock music, and that a white guy could play blues this well. Pretty solid Chicago hard-rocking blues end-to-end and didn’t overstay it’s welcome. Never set world on fire for me, but real listenable.

Starred Songs:  “Screamin’,” “Mystery Train”
Sneaky Track: “Shake Your Money Maker”
Should this album be on the list? Sure. Although, I think there are other blues artists that probably should be on here too… like Willie Dixon. I could see his boxed set in this place.
Will you listen to this again? Maybe I’ll throw it on at a BBQ. That seems like a good place for this album. In fact, I should probably keep track of albums that are BBQ worthy so I can put something on next time I have people over.
Verdict:  Pretty solid Chicago hard-rocking blues end-to-end that didn’t overstay it’s welcome.

Rating: ★★★1/2