The Electric Flag Live From California, 1967-68

Whisky A Go-Go, West Hollywood, CA
September 1967 (just one week after their gig at Fillmore West opening for Cream)

The Electric Flag was one of the premiere rock bands of the 1960s. Organized by Mike Bloomfield, who had just left the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the band featured such notable talent as Buddy Miles, Elvin Bishop, Nick Gravenites and Barry Goldberg. The Flag was the first band to feature a full horn section in support of it’s searing blues and jazz-based rock originals.
The Electric Flag astounded both critics and the public, both of which proclaimed the band the world’s greatest. And they were, indeed! No one ever came close to their combination of brilliant musicianship and hard blues based commercial music. Sadly, egos prevailed and the group broke up after only two years of performing and recording..
Their albums are still selling today and are regarded as essential for any rock library. RockBeat Records is proud to add these brilliant live performances to the legacy of the Electric Flag. This album presents them as audiences of the ’60s heard them—all the excitement and brilliance are present and there’s little doubt fans will want to add this final performance.

Line up: Mike Bloomfield - guitars; Nick Gravenites - vocals; Buddy Miles - drums, vocals; Barry Goldberg - keyboards; Harvey Brooks - bass guitar; Herbie Rich - baritone sax; Marcus Doubleday - trumpet, flugelhorn; Peter Strazza - tenor sax

Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
May 18, 1968

After all three three shows sold-out, a late show had to be added to avoid fans taking their wrath out on this classic club. This recording features the original band lineup. Their unique blend of soul, rock and blues, punctuated by horns, certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the contemporary music scene.
The early show begins with, “Soul Searchin’” featuring extended sax solos and other improvisational flourishes. Then Nick Gravenites takes lead vocals and Bloomfield tears it up on the funky blues tune “Milk Cow Blues.” The band then rips into their first single, “Groovin’ Is Easy,” and follow it up with a smoldering rendition of B.B. King’s “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water,” a song they never released themselves. The late show song list features Electric Flag’s slowed down version Of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” with Buddy Miles (later to become part of Band of Gypsys) singing lead. They tackle Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” with a sensual, soulful vocal arrangement.

Lineup: Mike Bloomfield - guitars; Nick Gravenites - vocals; Buddy Miles - drums, vocals; Barry Goldberg - keyboards; Harvey Brooks - bass guitar; Herbie Rich - baritone sax; Marcus Doubleday - trumpet, flugelhorn; Peter Strazza - tenor sax

Track List:

1. Spotlight
2. I Was Robbed Last Night
3. I Found Out
4. Never Be Lonely Again
5. Losing Game
6. My Baby Wants To Test Me
7. I Should Have Left Her 
8. You Don’t Realize
9. Groovin’ Is Easy
10. Soul Searchin’
11. Milk Cow Blues
12. I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water
13. Groovin’ Is Easy
14. Introduction
15. Instrumental
16. Texas
17. Hey Joe
18. It Takes Time
19. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
20. Another Country
21. Ain’t No Doctor
22. Don’t Lie to Me
23. Soul Searchin’