ROOM WITH A VIEW
of the blues.....
Michael Packer Blues Band"Bleecker-Bowery"
Halt Records
At last year’s Battle of the Bands, all of the five finalists gave outstanding sets; it was the best show I saw all year. I especially enjoyed Michael Packer, The Shades and Jeremy Baum, three mainstays that can be seen in the clubs in our area. That was the first time I heard Michael Packer since the days when he used to host the blues jam at Chicago Blues.
Michael had a band in the seventies called “Free Beer” and his musical preferences appear to be the same as my own. Elements of Rock, Folk, Blues, Country and Jazz all are apparent in his music. As a mature musician Michael feels that “music is fun” and I believe he sees his role as a band leader. I recently contacted Michael to review his newest cd “Bleecker - Bowery” and was not disappointed.
The most apparent influence on this album is Paul Butterfield. After two hugely successful albums the Paul Butterfield Blues Band underwent some personnel changes, when in 1967, Michael Bloomfield left to form his own band The Electric Flag. The three albums that followed included the addition of horns. More than a horn section they were soloists who helped Paul Butterfield include elements of Jazz in his arrangements.
Seven of the included tracks on Michael Packer’s latest album, “Bleecker – Bowery” are originals and on the first two Michael let’s his horn section, player Ric Frank work out. “I’m in Love’ includes a solo on flute and “Gotta Go (Chicago, New Orleans) includes sax. Michael states his musical preferences originate in these cities. “Christmas on the Bowery” is much more than just another Christmas song and its lyrics capture its own special New York City experience. The instrumental “The Deuce” follows; the bass, percussion and sax solo are outstanding.
“I Got a Mind to Give Up Living” is a traditional blues included on Paul Butterfield’s second album “East West” and it lends itself nicely to the jazzier interpretation that Michael gives it. The following “Born in New York City” is a reworking of the classic “Born in Chicago” that opens up Paul Butterfield’s first album “The Paul Butterfield Blues Band”. The Nick Gravenites penned song is a vehicle as we learn more about Michael Packer. The lyrics are ones that Michael makes his own.
Michael does Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” an introspective classic and Utah Phillips’s “Going Away”. The later song is a nice addition to the album and reveals Michael’s appreciation for folk and country music. Three more originals close out the album but “Bleecker Street” is a classic. This song, along with “Christmas on the Bowery”, “I got a mind to give Up Living” and “Born in New York City” now become identifiable as Michael Packer’s blues. This New Yorker’s soul is exposed and it is beautiful. The rhythm section of Scott Milch, drums; King Bear, bass; and Ed Jackson, percussion; are both band and family.
Richard Ludmerer
Director, NY Blues and Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com