Record Reviews

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS ~ WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS? OMNIVORE 518 (Barcode: 810075112894) ~ USA ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2023 This is an absolutely sensational live archive album by the iconic American Brass Rock / Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded in June / July 1970 during their Eastern European tour behind the Iron Curtain, organized and sponsored by the State Department, which included shows in Zagreb, Yugoslavia / Bucharest, Romania and Warsaw, Poland. The shows were filmed and recorded for a documentary, and remained lost for over fifty years, finally to be re-discovered and now released This CD is the soundtrack of the documentary. The album presents ten tracks, most of which were recorded during the final concert in Warsaw. The material originates mostly from the second, eponymous BS&T album from 1968 and the debut album “Child Is Father To The ManFind albums with this title” from 1967. The lineup includes vocalist David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Lew SoloffFind albums by this artist and Chuck WinfieldFind albums by this artist, trombonist Jerry HymanFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Fred LipsiusFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / trombonist Dick HalliganFind albums by this artist, guitarist Steve KatzFind albums by this artist, bassist Jim FielderFind albums by this artist and drummer Bobby ColombyFind albums by this artist. The sound quality and the music are absolutely stellar and every second of this album is absolutely sensational. The strength of the material, the arrangements and the virtuosic performances are some of the best musical moments ever caught on tape. Despite the fact that this music was recorded fifty-three years ago, it easily swipes away almost anything recorded since, and remains completely unique. This version of BS&T was a one-time collection of completely compatible musicians, which together were able to produce an incredibly intelligent, sophisticated and everlasting music. Overall, as far as archival albums are concerned, this is probably the best one in a decade, if not two. They don’t make music like this today or even anything remotely close to it, and listening to this album proves how deeply in trouble we are today with today’s music and Culture in general. I can’t imagine any serious music lover not having this Masterpiece in their collection, can you?

Updated: 11/05/2023Posted: 11/05/2023

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ BLOODLINES DCT 2000 (Barcode: 660355351228) ~ CANADA ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is a studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a huge team of over two dozen musicians, including some BS&T cohorts: trumpeters Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, Lew SoloffFind albums by this artist and Tony KlatkaFind albums by this artist, trombonist Dave BargeronFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Fred LipsiusFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike SternFind albums by this artist, bassist Gary FooteFind albums by this artist, drummer Brian DelaneyFind albums by this artist and many others. The album presents twelve songs, all of which were written by Clayton-Thomas. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the second of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album is the closest in style and sound to the album recorded with BS&T. The songs are beautifully arranged in the Brass Rock style and Clayton-Thomas performances are brilliant as always. His feeling and his idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb instrumental performances from start to finish. After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to hear him carrying on with what he loves to do taking us along on a wonderful ride. My copy is autographed and includes a ticket stub from the concert where he signed the album. Overall, this is an absolutely sublime example of David Clayton-Thomas as a vocalist and songwriter, one of the greatest talents to emerge on the American (well Canadian) scene in all time. Absolutely classic and indispensable in every collection of his recordings, but admittedly very difficult to find.

Updated: 08/06/2023Posted: 08/06/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend