Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Michael Bloomfield"s Birthday Surprise

Make no mistake about it the finest tribute to Michael Bloomfield has been created by David Dann. David's new site and and the link are michaelbloomfieldamericanmusic.com, also the link can be found on the front page of the official Mikebloomfield.com site.
David Dann has created a moving tapestry of Michael's life. Videos, interviews, Michael being Michael. Sort of like high style home movies and a selected short, and so much more. It would be near impossible to find a Bloomfield fan that would be disappointed after seeing this.
David Dann in his quiet way delivers time and again the essence and heart of my brother. On behalf of the family we are deeply grateful for your friendship and talent.
I am always amazed to find new and unexpected material on Michael. Be it a video or his voice time stands still and I reenter a world long gone. David "thanks" hardly seems to express the joy you have given to all of us. With profound appreciation, Allen Bloomfield

11 comments:

JohnInNJ said...

I've been totally engrossed by David's site for the last few days. Even the movie intro should not be missed. Great stuff!

Peg said...

Hi Allen!
I agree! David has outdone himself! One can literally spend hours there and still not see/read it all. What a fine tribute!
LOVE IT!!!

Peg

Mers said...

that really is an amazing website, and now we have ultimate verification of its awesomeness!

Unknown said...

Hi I left this comment on one of your old, posts, and I want to make sure that you still get it :)

here it is:

Hello, Im actually doing research about chameleons being pinned to shirts on leashes etc, and I have found lots of text about this but no photos, do you happen to have any photos of when you were little? Can you recall more about this memory.

Im curious about the size of the chameleons, what the stand looked like when you bought them, if you went about daily life wearing them and feeding them etc. I also wonder how you might feel if you saw someone walking down the street wearing this.


thank you so much for your time!!
Nicole
http://fashionforestry.blogspot.com

Allen Bloomfield said...

Dear Lecon de vetement,
I am sorry no pictures were taken of us and the chameleons. What I recalled occurred some fifty years ago and the specifics are a little hazy. They were purchased from a vendor in front of the entrance to the circus. His particular stand was in keeping with circus graphics, exaggerated and vivid paintings of giant reptiles. The chameleons were each in a small paper box which were perforated and came with a bag of dried insect food and a short ribbon leash and collar. There was a specific and distinctive odor emanating from both the lizard and box. As I mentioned the life or play value of this cruel novelty was less than a day. They never made it to pet status. I in no way endorse the use of any creature as an adornment for man.
I shared this memory only because it was so odd and reflected the qualities of a time gone by.
Allen B.

keenom said...

I couldn't possibly agree with you any more than I do when you say that David Dann's web site is a wonderful tribute to Michael Bloomfield. After wading through and joyfully swimming through this site, anyone can see that it's purely a labor of love for a man who has been long overlooked in his own country as an innovator and major talent in the idiom of blues and the marriage of rock with eastern music. Michael's own didactic bent toward making us aware of the originators that both he and the British guitarists emulated, is alone worthy of recognition that he rarely, if ever, was afforded. So yes, Thank you David Dann, and thank you also Jan Mark Wolkin, who stitched together such a cohesive tapestry of the comments offered by yourself Allen, and so many of Michael's friends and fellow band members in his wonderful book. Thank you also to Toby Byron and Ed Ward for the first book on Michael, now long out of print, which started the whole thing rolling, back in the days following Michael's untimely passing. All taken together, these fine documents have given us hope that one of America's great guitar heros will not be forgotten.

Allen Bloomfield said...

Bill Keenom,
Everyone who admired Michael is appreciative of those efforts seeking to portray his nature and talents. You and Jan Mark Wolkin gave us the oral history "Michael Bloomfield If You Love These Blues"
a book consisting of the remembrances of his friends and band mates. Toby Byron and Ed Ward created "The Rise and Fall of an American guitar hero. Micheal's autobiographical, "Me and Big Joe." Each work reflects an aspect of Michael's being. None though are more intimate and intense as his musical legacy.
What moved me to speak in the particular about David Dann's site is utterly simple. David, seeking absolutely nothing, no compensation, no intent for self aggrandisement worked tirelessly to create the most tasteful collection of information about Michael simply because he realizes he is worth it. That generosity was no different than Michael displayed. I for one hold David Dann in the highest regard because of the principles that he lives by.
Allen Bloomfield

keenom said...

You're right Allen. I'd forgotten to include Me And Big Joe, and another name that deserves credit for that one was Scott Summerville, a close friend of Michael's who described to me his many hours with Michael of editing the story into the succinct little book it became. Scott was also a great help in acting as a host to me in San Francisco, introducing me to others who would become voices in our book.

Allen Bloomfield said...

Bill,
Perhaps you could help put me in contact with Scott Summerville. I have wanted to speak with him for a very long time. Thanking you in advance.
Allen

keenom said...

The last few comments ar e left by someone of "another" language, possibly Japanese. Do we know what language and can it be translated? Michael's fans in Asia are at least as fantic as are we of the English "persuasion!"

jmw said...

I am in awe of and greatly appreciate the wonderful efforts of David and Peggy.

I also want to state clearly that Bill Keenom does not speak for me, directly or indirectly.


- Jan Mark Wolkin