The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw is the third album by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, released in December 1967. The title refers to Elvin Bishop, who became the lead guitarist after Mike Bloomfield left to form the Electric Flag. This album moves the band toward R&B and is the first to feature a horn section, including a young David Sanborn on alto sax. It reached number 52 on the Billboard 200 in 1968.

critics were mixed to favorable. AllMusic reviewer Michael G. Nastos praised Butterfield’s singing and harmonica and called the album one of his best for the period, noting the psychedelic feel of the closing track Tollin’ Bells. Record Mirror said the blues sound had hardened with stronger, more confident vocals and well-recorded arrangements, though they preferred the band’s original material on some tracks. Rolling Stone felt the horn section wasn’t fully used and that the solos were short and repetitive, but highlighted Drivin’ Wheel as the standout track and called the band exciting and adventurous, even if not at their best here.