Few bands on the American sixties scene managed to combine blues, folk, jazz and psychedelic rock with such naturalness as the Blues Project. The live recording Live At The Matrix, September 1966, officially released in 2014, is a valuable historical document of their performances at the legendary Matrix in San Francisco, a time when the band was at its absolute creative peak. It includes two complete sets from the September 1966 performances, with the classic lineup of Al Kooper, Danny Kalb, Steve Katz, Andy Kulberg and Roy Blumenfeld.

From the very first notes of “Louisiana Blues” it becomes clear that the band is not interested in simply reproducing their studio performances. Danny Kalb delivers electric blues lessons with a playing full of intensity but also delicacy, while Al Kooper fills the space with his characteristic Hammond, adding jazz and gospel nuances.

The album’s great strength lies in its improvisation. The almost nine-minute “Flute Thing” highlights Andy Kulberg as the protagonist, with his flute moving between jazz and psychedelia, creating one of the band’s most characteristic moments. Accordingly, “Wake Me, Shake Me”, “Caress Me Baby” and “I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes” develop into extended jams, where each musician has the space to express himself without ever losing the coherence of the ensemble.

The second set reveals even more the multi-faceted personality of the Blues Project. Donovan’s folk on “Catch The Wind”, Chuck Berry’s rock ‘n’ roll on “You Can’t Catch Me”, the traditional blues of “Shake That Thing” and “Hoochie Coochie Man” all coexist with absolute naturalness, proving why the band is considered one of the most important precursors of American jam rock.

The sound quality, although not up to today’s standards, is remarkably clean for a 1966 recording. It preserves the lively atmosphere of the small club without excessive intervention, allowing the listener to feel like they are just a few feet from the stage. This immediacy is the greatest asset of the album.

Live At The Matrix, September 1966 is not just a collector’s release. It is an authentic recording of a band that was in a transitional period, just before Al Kooper left to form Blood, Sweat & Tears. At the same time, it proves that the Blues Project were much more than just another blues band from the 60s, they were a band that paved the way for the fusion aesthetic of American rock.

An excellent historical live that captures the creativity, spontaneity and virtuosity of the Blues Project in the best period of their short but highly influential career, through which I select “I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes”.
 
Tracklist

Disc 1
1. Louisiana Blues 4:58
2. Steve’s Song 4:17
3. I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes 6:10
4. Caress Me Baby 7:58
5. Flute Thing 8:57
6. Wake Me Shake Me 8:46
7. The Way My Baby Walks 4:07
8. Love Will Endure 2:49
9. Jelly Jelly 6:37

Disc 2
1. Cheryl’s Going Home 3:08
2. You Can’t Catch Me 5:54
3. Shake That Thing 5:34
4. Catch The Wind 4:43
5. You Can’t Judge A Book 6:43
6. Flute Thing 9:40
7. Hoochie Coochie Man 5:11
8. If You Don’t Come Back 4:49