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

BLUES PROJECT ~ LAZARUS / THE BLUES PROJECT ACADIA 8072 (Barcode: 805772807228) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 2004 5th and 6th albums by US group Blues ProjectFind albums by this artist, which fell apart soon after recording their three original albums, with keyboardist Al KooperFind albums by this artist and guitarist Steve KatzFind albums by this artist leaving to form the legendary Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist and bassist Andy KulbergFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy BlumenfeldFind albums by this artist creating SeatrainFind albums by this artist. Blues Project founder, guitarist Danny KalbFind albums by this artist, resurrected the band in 1971, first as a trio and later on as a quintet, with original band members Blumenfeld (who left Seatrain in the meantime) and singer Tommy FlandersFind albums by this artist. This band recorded two albums, the first of which was recorded in the UK and the second in the US, produced by the legendary Gabriel MeklerFind albums by this artist (who produced SteppenwolfFind albums by this artist among others) and who also guests on the album on keyboards. These two albums are quite different from the recordings by the original band, but still present fairly strong efforts by talented musicians, with occasional excursions into the Blues format, but mostly featuring original material written by the band. Considering the fact that these two albums have been out of circulation for ages, it´s great to see them available again.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend