Al Kooper, Bloomfield’s friend and collaborator on “Super Session,” compiled the music on the anthology. Hard-core Bloomfield fans will note that the package has two omissions. One, there’s nothing from the soundtrack of “The Trip,” the 1967 Roger Corman film for which Bloomfield created the music. Second, there’s nothing from the 1974 Bloomfield recording with the short-lived band, KGB. On the plus side, the anthology contains a previously unreleased alternative version of “Tombstone Blues,” with the Chambers Brothers backing Bob Dylan. The anthology features the title song from the Butterfield Band’s second release, “East West,” which will be a revelation to anybody who never heard the extended work before. There’s also a 1977 live version of “I’m Glad I’m Jewish,” with original lyrics set to a traditional blues theme. The tune was released on an album in Europe and wasn’t released in the United States until 2008. A revelation is a 1980 live recording of Bloomfield backing Dylan on “The Groom’s Still Waiting at the Altar.” Ironically, “Groom” was recorded shortly before Bloomfield died. The track demonstrates that, even though Bloomfield’s days as a “star” were gone, he still retained his considerable musical skills.
