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Blood Sweat & Tears: What The Hell Happened to Blood Sweat & Tears?
ByFeaturing this most-widely-recognized BS&T lineup at the peak of its popularity, it's no surprise the most commercially-successful of these previously-unreleased ten cuts include "Spinning Wheel," "And When I Die" "You've Made Me So Very Happy." It is a bit odd, however, that Michael Graves' mastering of Allen Sides and Colomby's mix unfortunately leaves bassist Jim Fielder's work somewhat less than prominent in the aural spectrum.
Still, this single compact disc finds Blood Sweat & Tears finding a true balance between David Clayton-Thomas' nuanced singing and the robust instrumental intervals of a cut like the interpretation of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child." The nonet is as restrained as it is abandoned in proffering such contrasts in dynamics and certainly no less so via the inclusion of "I Can't Quit Her."
It's hard to know how to interpret this cull from the BS&T debut, Child Is Father to the Man (Columbia Records, 1968): on the one hand, it may well be due declaration of respect and gratitude to the original prime mover of the group, Al Kooper, who composed the tune, but on the other, it can reasonably seem like an implicit slap in the face hearkening to the very creative friction that led to the departure of the song's author.
No doubt, the author's admittedly wan voice suits the song better than the Canadian frontman's. Such cogitation, however, is no more pertinent to this set than the original score of the film (available only in digital form) or the aforementioned movie documentary itself (in circulation in theaters throughout most of the continental US).
It's far more interesting to hear the extended instrumental trade-offs on "Somethin' Goin' On"/"Blues Part II," especially those of saxophonist Fred Lipsius and organist/trombonist Dick Halligan. Still, while the quotes from seminal power trio Cream don't exactly sound dated, more than just passing reference "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Spoonful" may be indicative of the all too careful contrivance that came to plague Blood Sweat & Tears as the ensemble evolved.
Guitarist Steve Katz' intricately-arranged "Sometimes In Winter" is a far more palatable extension of the eclectics at the heart of the fundamental BS&T concept, as is this rollicking cover of Traffic's "Smiling Phases." And thankfully, the generally uninhibited lead vocalist does nothing to undermine the formidable impact of the musicians, even when the temptation arises in the form of the audience singalong for "Hi-De-Ho."
As a result, by the time this sixty-nine minutes-plus playing concludes, it's impossible not to ask the question within this album's title and do so with an honest, inquisitive mind.
Track Listing
Somethin’ Comin’ On; God Bless The Child; Spinning Wheel; Somethin’ Goin’ On/Blues—Part II; Hi-De-Ho; And When I Die; Sometimes in Winter; Smiling Phases; You’ve Made Me So Very Happy; I Can’t Quit Her. Personnel: David Clayton-Thomas: vocals; Dick Halligan: organ, trombone; Steve Katz: guitar, harmonica, vocals; Fred Lipsius: saxophone, electric piano; Jerry Hyman: trombone; Lew Soloff: trumpet: Jim Fielder: bass; Bobby Colomby: drums.
Personnel
David Clayton-Thomas
vocalsSteve Katz
guitarDick Halligan
tromboneFred Lipsius
saxophoneJerry Hyman
tromboneChuck Winfield
trumpetLew Soloff
trumpetJim Fielder
bassBobby Colomby
drumsBlood, Sweat & Tears
band / ensemble / orchestraAdditional Instrumentation
Dick Halligan: organ; Fred Lipsius: electric piano; Steve Katz: vocals, harmonica
Album information
Title: What The Hell Happened to Blood Sweat & Tears? | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Omnivore Recordings
Comments
About David Clayton-Thomas
Instrument: Vocals
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