Roger Troy & Mike Bloomfield

How delightfully odd to discover that someone went to the trouble of putting together a web page tribute to Mike Bloomfield‘s 1973 CBS LP Try It Before You Buy It that (get this) only lists the songs on which Roger Troy takes the lead vocal!  What’s funny is that this web page functions more like a tribute to Roger “Jellyroll” Troy rather than Bloomfield – but doesn’t come right out and say so.

According to blues rockin’ guitarist, Dave Widow, who worked closely with Roger Troy during the latter part of his career, “One of his and my own faves was ‘Your Friends,’ which was someone else’s tune that he sang and played bass on.”   *Unfortunately, no one has uploaded that song onto YouTube yet, nor am I able to post a 6-minute recording on this blog due to file size limitations.

2022 Update –

*Streaming audio now available:

“Your Friends“

Mike Bloomfield & Roger Troy (1973)

However, someone has uploaded from that same album a Roger Troy original, “Shine On Love,” that has a nice groove, sweet lyric, and a tasty guitar solo that kicks off with a surprise special effect.

“Shine On Love“

Mike Bloomfield & Roger Troy (1973)

Main recording personnel –
Michael Bloomfield: guitar, vocals & organ
Roger Troy:  bass & vocals
Make Naftalin:  piano, organ, vibes, marimba, acc. & tambourine
Barry Goldberg:  organ
George Rains:  drums
Nick Gravenites:  vocals

Additional personnel include:
Jimmy Vincent:  rhythm guitar
Howard Wales:  keyboards
John Wilmeth:  trumpet & arranger
Mel Graves, Ron Stallings (?):  tenor sax
Harry Mann:   alto sax
Hart McNee:  baritone sax
Chuck Bennett:  trombone
Joe Bullock, Ollie Griffin, Tommy Tony:  backing vocals

Recording info:
Columbia Studios – San Francisco, CA – 1973

*

Shine On Love
[written by Roger Troy]

VERSE 1
I find that loving you can make me happy.
I find that loving you can make me sad.
I find that loving you can make this world a better place to live.
And every night I thank the Lord for having you love me too.

VERSE 2
I find that loving you starts my day out right.
I find that loving you comforts me on those lonely nights.
I find that loving you has given me the best things in my life.
I guess I better knock on wood for having you love me too.

CHORUS
Shine on love – get a little brighter
Shine on love – make my whole world glow
Shine on love – open up heart yeah
For the woman I love will give you all the love you can handle

Repeat 1st verse

[guitar break]

Chorus

Repeat 2nd verse

Chorus

Mike Bloomfield & Roger Troy

[photo courtesy of UltimateRockPix]