Woodstock '69: When The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Performed "Love March" at Dawn

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Elektra

It was barely morning when blues harp master Paul Butterfield and his band took to the stage during the original Woodstock festival in 1969.

Just after Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young wrapped their final set, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band began their jam at the crack of Woodstock's dawn, delighting the sleepy Woodstock flock with tight horns and some serious harp solos during a 7-song set.

With Butterfield on vocals and the harp, the young, diverse band showcased one of their best lineups of all time, which at the time included Rod Hick (bass), Teddy Harris (piano), Buzzy Feiten (guitar), Phil Wilson (drums), David Sanborn (alto sax and percussion), Gene Dinwiddie (tenor sax and percussion), Steve Madaio (trumpet and percussion), Keith Johnson (trumpet and percussion), and Trevor Lawrence (baritone sax and percussion).

They kickstarted their early performance by serving up some jazz and soul-influenced Chicago blues, including their rendition of Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign,” also embedded in their 1967 LP The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw. Served next was the Butterfield-written "No Amount of Loving," blues classic "Drifting' and Driftin'"

Perhaps the only track that could rival the striking truth of "Morning Sunrise," especially given their early set time, was the anthemic "Love March" from their 1968 album Keep on Moving. "Love March" which would go onto become included in the original Woodstock soundtrack.

The newly released The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Live At Woodstock album is now available for preorder here, as it is limited and individually numbered. Pressed on 2 - 140g records and featuring all new artwork, Butterfield's remastered live set from Woodstock enables past attendees and current-day hopefuls to relive the iconic Woodstock morning experience head-on.

Find the full track listing below.