Reviews (page 3 of 6)
Absolutely no idea what to expect so this will be exciting! From what I can see, most of the songs appear to be covers? Not sure how much content is theirs, but I'll see! Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie: Starts pretty boring but gets pretty exciting. Remind me of Star Wars actually haha 3/5 Smiling Phases: I'm glad this isn't an instrumental album as I don't love them (unless it's videogame soundtracks). Honestly I quite like this, more than I expected 4/5 Sometimes In Winter: Slow. Nice. A little boring but I do like it. 3/5 More and More: OOOO jazzy I like this the vocals are cool too. 4/5 And When I Die: relaxing after the more upbeat last song. And it gets jazzier oh this is nice 5/5 God Bless the Child: Don't love this. Least favourite along with the first song so far. 4/5 Spinning Wheel: I think I know this song... but I don't know if I do. Anyway, I like it. I found the last section really boring though. 4/5 You've Made Me So Very Happy: Slow. Pretty nice. Don't love it but don't hate it. 3/5 Blues, Pt 2: Found it very boring 2/5 Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie: Same as the first song. 3/5 I really liked the drums on this album. Jazz drums are so interesting. One of the better albums I've had so far which I'm happy about. Overall Score: 4/5
For some reason I had it in my head that I was about to start listening to "Earth, Wind & Fire." Boy was I wrong. In any event, very enjoyable late 60's pop w/ undertones of psychedlia and blues?? Random, but enjoyable.
Some truly amazing and tightly orchestrated songs. Classics in their own right. The album tails off at the end but the first 8 songs are all keepers.
First time hearing of this album, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. While not perfect, with its weak opening track and occasional long uninteresting instrumental sections, I had a good time listening to this.
Sehr vel Jazz aber mängisch eifach chli Rockigi teil. Esch no loschtig als Hendergrond.
I was very familiar with several songs on here.
Heck Yes.
Phenomenal. One of the best sounding 60s albums and such a good collection of covers. The arrangements are pristine
Blood, Sweat and Tears combine blues rock with jazz into a pretty impressive collection, albeit a bit eclectic. The playing across the different genres is effortless. "More and More" is an absolutely perfect track, seemingly mixing the showman energy of James Brown with the best of psychedelic rock. "Spinning Wheel" is extremely catchy. "When I Do" is so full of peaks and troughs that it's hard to pin down but it works. It's a pretty interesting mix of covers as well, featuring everyone from Traffic and Cream to Billie Holiday and Erik Satie. The album certainly has a lot of highlights but it's also got a few misses. The 12 minute long "Blues Part II" kind of overstays it's welcome. The two separate covers of "Trois Gymnopedies" is kind of overkill too. But despite this, there's a lot to enjoy here.
> The Beatles Dig this more then expected
A wholly underrated folk-pop-rock-jazz group. Hmm, with all of those hyphens, that may be the problem. But they have a wonderfully original sound and some really great songs. They were a fave of mine on the radio in my youth and have always wished they got more play today.
8/10 This is what the list is made for - a very good album by an act I’ve never heard of. Extremely good, no idea why this isn’t a well-known album, maybe even a semi classic. On paper it’s jazzy rock but they just went for it and explored so many genres. Psychedelic, soul, country, Latin, lounge, classical. A wild ride. Lots of James Brown and Hendrix in here. Really tight band, played well with wonderful brass. Vocals are outstanding. Doesn’t get the perfect score because some of the jazz is very jazz. Best: More and More
This is wonderful!
had a blast with this one, catchy
This is like jazz rock crossed with 60's psychedelic rock. Quite interesting. Not bad at all. Favorite songs: More and More, Spinning Wheel, And When I Die, Smiling Phases Least favorite songs: Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie, "Blues, Pt. 2" 4/5
69s Prog jazz rock blues. Cheesy at times but I bloody loved it.
Cool aber hab ne psychose bekommen
Really liked the brass. Of course it reminds me of Chicago, but they were aiming for that. So there you go. "Smilin' Phases..." don't listen to the bonus track with the 16 minute version. WAY too long. I found "And When I Die" a bit too depressing for the album. It didn't feel like it fit. The improv, a lot of time you had to be there to get it. But this one works. I would have thought I would have listened to more of this band, knowing how much I like early Chicago. Another one I have to delve into. Top tracks: "Smilin' Phases," "More and More," "Spinning Wheel," "You've Made Me So Very Happy," "Blues (Part II)"
I remember hearing a lot of this when I was a little kid. Fun trip back in time.
Really like this one! RnB/soul
I don't love this music but I do appreciate the artistry
Remember hearing a bunch of these songs in the past, so it was cool to hear the source album and rediscovering from forgotten memories.
Smiling phases reminded me of whiplash and I really like that movie, all in all I really like the album and the type of style they have. Very Beautiful instruments and sound splendid
surprisingly enjoyable
Great memories of this from my childhood. Booming voice that sang of life and happiness and humanity. Thank you, BS&T.
What a ride! Nice surprise I knew nothing about.
Great early rock album
This is cool. Funky and jazzy and weird. I don’t love the vocals though and the horns can get a little shrill on my ears. Nice easy 4 stars.
Pretty cool, a little rambly, but not bad.
Decent 60s album, great bass work, some nostalgic songs
Just a fun listen.
White guys playing funky soul blues in the late 60s wasn't a thing until BS&T came around. This proggy, jazzy, funky, bluesy is such a timeless classic that it still sounds relevant with all the layering of instruments. Through in a nearly 12 minute bluesy meander through different genres and you got a great album. 4.5/5
Very cool mix of funk, jazz, blues and rock. A little weird at times, but mostly cool. Some well known songs I didn't realise these guys had done. My favourite is probably You've Made Me So Very Happy.
Kept me on my toes for sure. I've never listened to anything like this. Fun!
Incredible vocals
happily surprised by this one
That voice, David Clayton-Thomas! It shows a bit of wear for it’s time, but it’s still great.
Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie // Smiling Faces // God Bless The Child // Spinning Wheel // You’ve Made Me So Very Happy // Blues, Pt. 2
I’m a sucker for a good horn section. The level of talent shown on this album is impressive. I love how many different instruments are featured here. Almost perfect, could have gotten rid of “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” but everything else including the 8 minute song “Blues, pt. 2” is excellent. I listened to the deluxe edition which also featured two live tracks which were a bop. First album of the year I’m saving in my library AND put songs in the playlist.
very good like it
Wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. Really amazing sound, crazy jazz with some rock mixed in. High quality sound, excellent musicians, it gave me like late 70s vibes but then I saw it was from 1968 and was more impressed.
This feels like a variety album and I adore it. I loved the way it started with Variations on a Theme and did it's own thing with it to make it sound totally new and interesting. Blues, Pt. 2 gave me so much whiplash I thought I was *listening* to Whiplash's soundtrack. Really great Great mixing on the different instruments as well. Jazz Rock at its finest, my favorites were Blues Pt 2, And When I Die, and Spinning Wheel.
This one does a great job conveying that jazz-rock sound with the brass instrumentation. Much like Chicago but a little more Bluesy than I expect from them. The vocalist is entertaining too. The intro and outro are an interesting choice that I quite like. Favorites were More And More, Spinning Wheel, You’ve Made Me So Happy, and Blues, Pt. 2.
All over the place at times, but eclectic and interesting. Not game changing, but it makes me so, very happy.
Blood, Sweat and Tears is a lovely little 60s groove, moving between bouncy little numbers that sound like they've been lifted from an Austin Powers soundtrack and onto heartfelt soulful rock grooves that really last. The one-two punch of Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy are brilliant, And When I Die is almost motown at times, there's a bit too much filler in there but this surprised me and made me smile, dude has an incredibly listenable voice, easy high 3 that might sneak a 4 and I'd listen to again.
Exactly the sort of thing I'd want to get from this project, something I've never heard of, would never have come across, but really like. Crazy variety between everything you might think is 60s, don't think that any of it is particularly groundbreaking individually but the way they blend it together puts it ahead of a lot that comes from that time. Definitely prefer it more when it hits the Cream/CCR type sounds rather than the pure jazz stuff, but it's well worth a listen. 4/5.
This was damn good
Jazz rock. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
Older rock, with a heavy jazz lean. Cool combo
Really good! Took me on a journey!
Funky proto prog. I dig it.
OMG what a lovely surprise - this band is known mostly for Spinning Wheel - and I had no idea how diverse, interesting, fun and fantastic this album was! Yeah Blood Sweat and Tears! What a talent. What a cranking jazzy bridge version of God Bless the Child. Time to read more about them
What a forceful output, especially considering it was released in 1968. At times downright funky.
Crazy that this was released in ‘68 prior to the debuts of both Chicago and King Crimson. I am definitely adding this to my vinyl collection.
This album blends jazz and rock in a way that feels like a summer street parade with careful choreography. The brass carries everything forward, even when the vocals stay calm and grounded. Think of the mix of grit and polish you’d get from a Steely Dan record, but with a dash more brass. It’s playful but a bit predictable.
Very nice jazzy rock album
Expectations were very low after reading the dreaded Jazz word in the Wiki article but I rather liked it. Knew Spinningwheel and You Made Me So Very Happy but not in the versions on this album. The Wiki article also seems to suggest that it wasn't all that well recieved by critics at the time something that should have raised my expectations. It seems the more critics like an album the more I hate it. Blues, Pt. 2 is a bit too jazzy for my taste but all in all worth 4 stars.
Groovy listening with so much brass almost overtaking the organ. My favorite song has to be God Bless The Child.
Favorite Track: Spinning Wheel
This album was kind of disjointed as a whole, but I liked almost all the individual songs.
I really enjoyed this album. It had a great mix of blues, jazz, and maybe pop? I liked the vocalist's voice as well. Spinning Wheel, And When I Die, and Blues Pt. 2 were the highlights for me. A 4.5, a high score earned in part for adding variety to this list.
Jazz Rock, (a little bit country moods)
This album is great. I am so tempted to give it a 5, but I just haven’t had enough time with it to know for sure. It is at least a 4.5 in my book.
an erik satie gymnopedie remix ??? yes pls!! I'm kind of shocked I neve heard about this album or band, it was all pleasantly fun and enjoyable. Not necessarily a great album but had a bit of rock, jazz, and experimental concepts. 'You've made me so happy' is wonderful. People won't like this for how off shoot it can be and I get it but musically this is quite brilliant and i'm shocked they didn't go on to have further success.
Very nice. Did not know the album or the band although I know "Spinning Wheel" quite well from hearing it regularly over the years on the radio. So it was a nice surprise!
A little weird at times but overall a lovely album.
Well this was a pleasant surprise Not heard of them before but this is really very good (the brass band in particular really elevates a lot of the songs) A bit too jazzy in places but very strong
Wow, where the hell have they been hiding albums like this? The first few tracks I was just staring at my phone with my mouth agape, this stuff is huge. Really wild fusion of genres, especially jazz mixed in with the rock. I love that, it works really well. Had no expectations going into this (except maybe some typical psych-rock) and was genuinely blown away. Bravo, gang. This one's fantastic. Favorite tracks: Variations on a Theme, Smiling Phases, Sometimes in Winter, More and More, God Bless the Child, You've MAde Me So Very Happy, Blues Pt. II. Album art: At first thought it was just some guys outstanding in their field. Now it looks to be ghosts? Very old pictures of ancestors or something. Pretty cool effect, but overall an unassuming cover, not unlike the Band cover we had recently. 4.5/5
Really, really solid. High 4 I actually have this one on vinyl but never listened to it before, so that was fun
I don’t know. I kinda liked all of this. Is some of it just kooky to be kooky? Probably. But the music is good and I never got bored. 4/5
I only heard Spinning Wheel before. It's not one of the highlights of the album for me. The album blends all kinds of styles together. Played very well. Great singer. Production sounds timeless. The music sounds of that time, or maybe 5 years later. But that's not a problem, in the way that it's not a problem with Strauss or Beethoven either. Favorite song: Smiling Phases.
Loved this! What treat tripping down memory lane with BST! Spinning wheel, You Make Me So Very Happy. Love the vocals and the brass. Reinforces my love for jazz.
Great sounding album. A couple of great tunes, even enjoyed Spinning Wheel that I've heard a million times on the radio. But a confusing listen esp the bookended Satie pieces.
Came into this one blind, really surprised me, loving it. Great mix of jazz and 70s rock
Wow, j’aurais pas cru être accueilli par du Minecraft en commençant cet album là, qui d’ailleurs encapsule du rock de qualité
"Blood, Sweat & Tears" is the second album by American band Blood, Sweat & Tears. Rock and jazz rock. Yep. Al Kooper, Randy Becker and Jerry Weiss left the band after the first album leaving Bobby Colomby (drummer) and Steve Katz (guitar, harmonica, vocals) to find a lead singer and they did in David Clayton-Thomas. The band rounds out with seven other members on the piano, organ, horns and bass. The album is more pop-oriented than the first album along with more cover songs. It did incredibly well commercially, hitting #1 in the US and staying there for seven weeks. It also won the 1970 Grammy for album of the year. Critically, it had mixed reviews. The first song with vocals is a cover of the Traffic song "Smiling Phases." Horns, a drum roll and an organ open the song as vocals and a bass enter. Very distinct vocals by Clayton-Thomas. There's a jazzy interlude, a piano solo and very impressive drumming and changes in time. A solo harmonica, very Western movie sounding, begins the Laura Nero cover "And When I Die." Lots of pace changes. A bouncey, Bo Diddley beat. A great outre with horns exploding. Why not cover Billie Holliday and they do with "God Bless the Child." This is very melancholy with horns st the start and end reminding me of a New Orleans funeral. They actually try a bossa nova beat for awhile. The second side has their two big hits. A loud horn intro, the cowbell and the famous Clayton-Thomas vocal "what goes up, must come down" opens "Spinning Wheel." Lots of instruments, a jazzy interlude and ends with flute/recorder fade. The vocals and lyrics are why I remember this song. The Berry Gordy Jr. song "You Make Me So Every Happy" starts slow with an organ and then we get the horns jammin.' A great vocal chorus: the highlight of the song and Clayton-Thomas's best high point on the album. It's the one song I think of when I hear Blood, Sweat & Tears mentioned. The album really reminded me of Chicago's first album. The music is jazzy, pop and rock with lots of beat changes, instruments used and various solos. Very impressive drumming by Colomby. With all the changes within a song, you almost need a flowchart to follow. I've heard that style in a lot of jazz. Overall, I enjoyed this album. Some memorable songs yet some excess, similar to early Chicago. Most everyone knows their hits, and, if you're in to 60's/early 70's jazz rock or early Chicago, you'll surely enjoy the rest of this as well.
This was not at all what I expected, in a positive way. I was expecting a country\folk\rock album, but although there are elements of that it was primarily a jazz sound that I heard. Some tracks were a little weaker, but as a whole it was very good. A particular highlight is Spinning Wheel, which was sampled with great effect by 3rd Bass on the Sons of 3rd Bass track (a favourite of mine). I give it an unexpected 4 stars!
The album opens with a Theme and Variation from one of my favorite piano pieces from one of my favorite composers, and then immediately goes into some rocking full band music. I've never been so turned on by an album before. They're a little like an off-brand Chicago, just a little more classical-influenced and honky-tonk(?) and not quite as good. Still a great listen, but they fall just short of great for me. Favorite Song(s): Variation..., Smiling Phases
I know many hate that this beat Abbey Road for AOTY at the Grammys, but sorry, it’s nearly as good and probably deserved. Sounds as smooth as ever. B+
I listened to this this morning but that’s basically a whole day ago…. However… I really liked it back then. A fun journey through genre and music history with some especially stellar drums! Love the Erik Satie bookends too!
I really enjoyed this! Cool blend of different genres and fun covers of classical songs
This was a really cool album. It’s a great combination of jazz, rock, and blues, with some of the psychedelic influences and sounds of its time mixed in. I really enjoyed how seamlessly they blended all these elements and how upbeat and energetic the album is. I’m definitely going to check out more from these guys.
Automatic classic for any band kid in the past half century. Great songwriting and musicianship, if a little corny.
Weird and worth
I didn't know if I was going to like this album at first, but the music is good overall, and I really like this dude's voice. My brain tends to confuse Blood, Sweat, and Tears with Earth, Wind, and Fire, which required a bit of adjustment from me once I started listening to the album, but its fun if not spectacular, and it's got some hits on it 4/5
Wow this really is a mish-mash of a lot of genres and I can't decide just what it is or where it's going. I guess the main thing is that I don't DISlike any of the tracks. They hop from Jazzy to folky , Theatrical rock-opera and Lounge Vegas and back again. It's totally deserving of being here.
### Blood, Sweat & Tears: An In-Depth Review **Blood, Sweat & Tears**, the self-titled album by the American jazz-rock band, released in 1968, stands as a significant work in the fusion genre. This analysis will cover its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. #### Lyrics The lyrics of "Blood, Sweat & Tears" offer a tapestry of introspective and socially conscious themes, balancing personal introspection with broader societal observations. - **"You've Made Me So Very Happy"** - This track, originally by Brenda Holloway, expresses profound gratitude and joy in love. The lyrics are straightforward but effective in conveying deep emotional appreciation. - **"Spinning Wheel"** - Written by band member David Clayton-Thomas, this song features metaphorical lyrics about the cyclical nature of life. The refrain "What goes up, must come down" suggests a philosophical reflection on the inevitable ups and downs of existence. - **"And When I Die"** - A Laura Nyro composition, it confronts mortality with a mix of optimism and acceptance, encapsulating the human condition with lines like "I'm not scared of dying and I don't really care." The album's lyrical content, while sometimes leaning towards simplicity, resonates with its directness and emotional clarity. #### Music Musically, the album is a rich blend of jazz, rock, and blues, featuring complex arrangements and a wide array of instruments. - **Brass Section** - The prominent brass section, including trumpet, trombone, and saxophone, is a defining characteristic, adding a powerful and dynamic layer to the music. - **Versatility** - Tracks like "Blues - Part II" showcase the band's ability to traverse different musical landscapes, moving from rock to jazz effortlessly. - **Instrumentation** - The use of unconventional rock instruments like the organ and flugelhorn, along with traditional rock setups, creates a distinctive and textured sound. The intricate musicianship and inventive arrangements are key strengths, making each track a rich auditory experience. #### Production Produced by James William Guercio, the album's production is polished and sophisticated, highlighting the band's technical prowess and versatility. - **Sound Quality** - The production quality is excellent, ensuring that each instrument is clearly heard and well-balanced within the mix. - **Arrangement** - Guercio's arrangements make full use of the band's large ensemble, creating a full-bodied sound that retains clarity and detail. - **Studio Techniques** - Innovative studio techniques, such as the use of reverb and multi-tracking, enhance the album's sonic depth. While the production is largely effective, some might argue that the high level of polish occasionally detracts from the raw energy of the performances. #### Themes The themes explored in "Blood, Sweat & Tears" are varied, yet they often return to fundamental human experiences and social commentary. - **Love and Relationships** - Songs like "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and "God Bless the Child" delve into personal relationships, exploring themes of gratitude and resilience. - **Life and Mortality** - Tracks such as "And When I Die" and "Spinning Wheel" reflect on life, death, and the transient nature of existence. - **Social Commentary** - "Smiling Phases" touches on the theme of self-deception and societal pressures, offering a critique of superficiality. These themes, while diverse, are united by a common thread of introspection and reflection, providing the album with a cohesive narrative. #### Influence "Blood, Sweat & Tears" had a profound impact on the music industry, particularly in the development of jazz-rock fusion. - **Jazz-Rock Fusion** - The album is often cited as a pioneering work in this genre, blending rock's energy with jazz's complexity and sophistication. - **Commercial Success** - Its commercial success, including winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1970, helped to legitimize and popularize the fusion genre. - **Legacy** - The band's approach to genre-blending influenced countless artists and paved the way for future explorations in fusion music. Despite its influence, some critics argue that the album's eclecticism can feel disjointed, as it attempts to bridge multiple musical styles and influences. #### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Musical Complexity** - The album's intricate arrangements and skilled musicianship are standout features, offering a rich and rewarding listening experience. 2. **Production Quality** - High production values ensure that the album sounds polished and professional, with clear and balanced sound. 3. **Diverse Themes** - The lyrical content covers a wide range of themes, from personal introspection to social commentary, adding depth to the album. 4. **Innovation** - As a pioneering work in jazz-rock fusion, the album broke new ground and influenced future generations of musicians. **Cons:** 1. **Eclecticism** - The album's blend of styles, while innovative, can sometimes feel uneven or disjointed, lacking a cohesive musical direction. 2. **Overproduction** - The high level of polish in the production may detract from the raw energy and spontaneity that can make live performances so compelling. 3. **Simplicity of Some Lyrics** - While effective, some lyrics are relatively straightforward, which might not appeal to listeners seeking more complex or poetic expressions. #### Conclusion "Blood, Sweat & Tears" by Blood, Sweat & Tears remains a landmark album in the history of jazz-rock fusion, celebrated for its musical sophistication, production quality, and thematic depth. The album's strengths in musicianship and innovation are slightly tempered by occasional overproduction and eclecticism, but its influence and legacy are undeniable. It stands as a testament to the band's ability to merge diverse musical elements into a compelling and impactful whole, offering listeners a rich and multifaceted auditory experience.
Interesting listen, as they incorporated a good amount of jazz into their bluesy rock. I was only previously familiar with Spinning Wheel which is great. There was a bit of drag but I did enjoy the lengthy Blues-Part II which sampled Cream. Good stuff 4 stars
YES
Fantastic mix of rock and jazz 4.5
It is a nice, and standard 1960's album. 7/10.
un bel rock anni 68. molto piacevole, contro ogni aspettativa di ritrovarmi l'ennesimo album di una band di Beatles wannabe.
I love the concept of a big band, and this album proves this is wonderful. I would love to see them playing in a live concert. However, this album also proves that even the most enjoyable songs need to have some time limit. 1 hour of a big band (not in a live show that should be great) is too much.
SO JAZZY
Smokey rock and sultry jazz, these guys blend even more elements in mix of great songs sure to set your toes tapping. Singer reminds me of Tom Jones
But must it really?
Very catchy album and loved how each song had its own sound. Not bad at all
Publicaron su excelente debut Child is father to the man, mejor aún que este estupendo segundo disco (4 millones de copias vendidas certifican el buen gusto en aquella época), el mismo año 68. Para este tuvo lugar el abandono de Al Kooper (líder y fundador de la banda además del genio detrás del teclado en Like a rolling stone y muchas más cosas...). Fue sustituido en la voz principal por David Clayton-Thomas y le dieron aún mayor protagonismo de los metales, santo y seña de esta banda que, junto a Chicago, fueron los promotores del Jazz Rock o R&R Big Bands. Publicaron 4 excelentes discos, el primero con Al Kooper y los otros con Cayton, antes de perder fuelle hasta la irrelevancia. En España tuvimos algo similar, con Los Canarios. Su mayor éxito fue con Spinning wheel, aquí incluida. También tuvieron muy buena acogida los otros singles de este disco: And when I die y You've made me so very happy. Las intro y outro, ambas la Variation on a theme de Erik Satie, son delicadas piezas instrumentales perfectamente ejecutadas. Smiling phases presenta el estilo de la banda, en un tema firmado por Capaldi y Winwood que había sido un single de su banda Traffic. More and more introduce una punzante guitarra. And when I die fue publicada por su compositora, Laura Nylo y un éxito con Peter, Paul and Mary. Con BS&T fue este aún mayor. Tiene varios cambios de ritmo y una harmónica que permite combinar el blues con el jazz y el pop. You've made me so very happy es una versión un tema menor de Brenda Holloway para Motown. Esta versión fue un éxito aún mayor. God bless the child es otra excelente versión , esta vez del clásico de Billy Holyday, que en su mitad final se da un festín de metales y percusión. Blue part II, la más floja del álbum, es una jam que se extiende por casi 12 minutos, aunque tarda en arrancar más de 2, casi 5 en meter metales y más de 9 en sonar la voz. El disco acaba, casi como empezó con las Gymnopedies. Pese a la jam sessión, se hace corto y es un placer escucharlo más de una vez. Como curiosidades: Este disco le ganó al Grammy al mejor disco del año, nada menos que al Abbey Road. Para sustituir a Al Kooper se valoraron otros cantantes antes que Clayton: Stevie Wonder, Laura Nylo o Stephen Stills. Fueron una de las estrellas de Woodstock aunque no salen en la película ni en el disco, debido a que no se les pagó antes de la actuación y no permitieron que esta se grabara.. También fueron la primera banda estadounidense en tocar al otro lado del telón de acero, lo que acabó injustamente con su reputación y con la propia banda. Más discos excelentes de 1968: THE BEATLES- White Album , THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - Electric ladyland, Odessey and Oracle de The Zombies, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND - White light, white heat, THE KINKS - The Village Green Preservation Society, VAN MORRISON - Astral weeks, THE ROLLING STONES - Beggars banquet, CREAM - Wheels of fire, THE BYRDS - Sweetheart of the rodeo, THE SMALL FACES - Ogden's nut gone flake, THE PRETTY THINGS - S.F. Sorrow, OTIS REDDING - The dock of the bay, BLOOMFIELD , KOOPER & STILLS - Super Session, JAMES CARR - A Man needs a Woman, Dance To The Music de Sly & The Family Stone, Safe As Milk del Capt. Beefhart, Surrealistic Pillow de Jefferson Airplane, Lady Soul y Now de Aretha Franklin, The Notorious Byrd Brothers y Sweetheart of the rodeo de The Byrds, We're Only in It for the Money de Zappa, Idea y Horizontal de los Bee Gees, For Once in My Life de Stevie Wonder , A Saucerful Of Secrets de Pink Floyd, Spirit de Spirit, Bookends de Simon and Garfunkel, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida de Iron Butterfly, el Soundtrack to 1968 TV special de Elvis, Nuff Said! de Nina Simone... Debuts de JEFF BECK GROUP, NEIL YOUNG, THE BAND, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, OS MUTANTES, SILVER APPLES...
The instrumentation was spot on, however, i wasn’t so keen on lyrical content as well the singers vocals, but it’s growing on me!
Hopefully my life reaches the level where these tunes could be the soundtrack
Great horn section
Much better than I expected. Surprised on how jazzy it was, but it really worked for the album. 3.5/5
Strong jazz elements in many of these tracks. Some huge bangers, with an outstanding voice. I’d listen again! Low 4
It’s a band like BST that helped pave the way for not only Prog. Rock to become a huge subset of rock music, but for bands nowadays who are a part of, in a way, “post prog. rock”, such as Black Midi or Black Country, New Road. While the compositions here are often pop-centric, the arrangements are so densely constructed that it makes every song feel like a truly unique experience. I would imagine this album sounds just as fresh as it did back in 1968, as all eight of the full length songs on here evoke a kind of creative spirit that not many bands from their era had.
I liked the instruments used, better than average but not something I'll listen to much more in the future.
Ayo this slapped. The first track had me like the pointing Leo meme, that’s straight up the Ocarina of time title, finding these connections is what I love about music. Another example is the bit of Cream thrown into Blues Pt. 2. The music was a really fun mix of jazz and rock and kept me entertained the entire listen
I really liked the musicality of this one. The jazz + rock was a really interesting vibe. It was also intriguing to read about the band and why I've never heard of them before. This album won a grammy for "Album of the Year" over albums like Abbey Road, but the band faced huge backlash after doing a tour behind the Iron Curtain. Glad that the 1001 project helped me discover them!
Jazz, Soul and rock. Some really great songs like Smiling Phases, More and More and Spinning Wheel and few not so good. It's an album I should love more but some how I don't.
Solid 4 this, very good
It made me happy to hear this album. I was intrigued from the moment the opener hit my ears, the idea to bookend with Satie was fantastic. I loved the incorporation of jazz throughout, it's a step above your standard 60's rock record. The production is first-class. I struggled to believe it was a product of 1968, it sounds well beyond its years. I was vaguely familiar with Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy, which I would say are the two standouts, but there wasn't a track on this record I didn't enjoy. A worthwhile discovery.
Lovely 4 stars.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: More and more, And when I die, Spinning wheel, You’ve made me so very happy
brilliant.
A mess. An enjoyable one, though, that never feels too indulgent or meandering, like lots of their contemporaries did.
This was so interesting in the best way possible. I love jazz and rock so to hear them mixed was amazing
Really good! Enjoyed it a lot. You really need to get involved in it, then it's a lot of fun. The bassist definitely carries this album.
The opening set quite an interesting tone, and I didn't know what to expect afterwards. This seems like the kind of album you have to listen to several times, because there is too much going on to recognise on the first listen
4.5. Need to relisten
Some classics on here but kind of all over the place
Überraschend nett
Great album
I wasn’t quite sure what to think at first, but this album really finds a groove with the phenomenal brass backing band. The album is unfocused and there’s clearly a pull in multiple musical directions especially in the late 60s. There are tinges of folk, psychedelic, R&B, and a huge dose of big band jazz. The backing band is super tight and the jazz rock blend is seamless. The bassist is also clearly one of the hardest working members.
Abwechslungsreiches Album. Macht wirklich Spaß zu hören.
4.2 - never heard of them before, pretty interesting and musically very cool. Would like to re listen to get more appreciation
Funky!
El disco arranca con una version de un tema de Satie! Completamente innovador y vanguardista. Mucho swing.
Surpisingly great, was a lot jazzier than I expected. They even throw in a full 12 minutes jam at the end that goes super hard, I heard them bust out the lick from 'Sunshine of your Love' in there somewhere. For 1968 it's pretty crazy, will have to come back to this one.
# Playlist track - Spinning Wheel. # Notes - Great album! It's all over the place, but it the coolest way possible. - Made me jump out of my chair when I recognized "Spinning Wheel" from Jason Forrest's incredible animation "War Photographer." - Do yourself a favor and go check it out if you haven't watched it yet. - Taking one star off due to the annoying tracks at the end.
Enjoyed the album, surprised the genre is rock. Had a lot of soul and jazz elements the musicianship was very high quality, and the voice was great
Them boys could play! Top musicianship on this album. It's a really weird one though - I think even now most everyone knows "Spinning Wheel" and probably "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and the rest is...? Broadway? Orchestral? Jazz? Jazz*y* for sure. Half of it sounds like it could be a soundtrack for questionable musical theater. A wild variety trip of what in the late 60s was actually hugely popular - I respect the crazy diversity even if I don't necessarily love it all, but they had a real sound, very unique. Also this album *sounds* so good even now - just makes it more frustrating when you hear other albums from this period that sound like garbage. Best songs are all-timers, although the album isn't all gold - e.g. "Sometimes In Winter" is probably too complex a composition for me to put it down and sure it sounds fantastic but I'm not keen on the vocals (the only one Steve Katz sings .... should've left it to DCT). Throw up the jazz hands - it's still worth a few listens and the combo of classic songs and musicianship push it to a 4 for me. 7/10 4 stars.
Loved the record. But it sill wouldve been a low for if it wasnt for Blues pt2. Insane track and beautiful drumming
Sexo el album
Enjoyed this, mostly.
I love Blood, Sweat and Tears and I love this album. To me they get the rock part of jazz-rock better than just about anybody. Such tightness in the band, amazing musicianship in each instrumentalist, and David Clayton-Thomas’s gruff vocals are so powerful and earthy. And I think the melodic bass lines had a profound impact on me as a songwriter. The opening track was my introduction to Erik Satie, who I consider to be one of my all time favorite composers. “And When I Die” and “Spinning Wheel” are amazing songs that just go so hard. It’s not a perfect album, but it’s a damn good one!
Love Blood Sweat & Tears
Great combo of jazz and rock. Innovative. Good lead vocals and guitar. Too bad they fell apart.
This was super interesting compared to what I've heard so far. It combines elements of Jazz, Big Band, Rock, and so much more into a weird mish-mash of excellent songs. I do agree with another review I read here that said it was more of a back and forth than a true mash up, but it still makes for some great music. The instruments way outclass the performance of the singer and the mixing really lets each instrument shine which made those drum solos or blasting horns hit that much harder. Huge fan of More and More, Blues, Pt. 2 and most of the higher tempo songs on this thing.
Brilliant
This is great. Love the tone of the lead singer's voice. A lot of famous songs in here, and they also all happen to be good and still worth listening to, too. Some tracks are a bit noodle-y for me (Blues, Pt. 2) in particular, but I am very glad to have listened to this.
I found the opening track really confusing as much as I love Satie. Smiling Phases picks up the pace and sets the scene nicely with More and More, And When I Die keeping the interest high. Spinning Wheel tops it all off.
Oh, this is great fun! I wouldn't have been able to name any BS&T tracks, but I've definitely heard "Spinning Wheel" a bunch. I am a sucker for Satie, so opening and closing the album with versions of the Gymnopédies made me happy. Really enjoyed all the twists and turns this album took as it progressed - kept me entertained! Fave tracks - "More and More" and "When I Die" work really well together, and I liked the absurdity of "Blues - Part II", too!
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an interesting band - it's a jazz band, or perhaps an R&B band, playing rock/pop songs, and occasional classical pieces. The band was immensely talented, very well received, and very successful. Unfortunately, for a series of missteps and considerable turn-over in the lineup, the band did not have a very long career. This album includes a few staples of 60's classic rock, like "You Make Me So Very Happy" and "And When I Die." The combination of R&B sounds, soulful singing, and support from the horn section made BS&T's rich sound so very interesting.
Variations on a theme by Erik Satie - wow i had no idea this song was that old, it is an incredible song that just hits in pit of your stomach, but I can’t explain what emotion it is that I am hit with it’s a strange mix of happiness and sad. Smiling Phases - this is some swinging jazzz. I don’t have much to say about this except that I dig it and it is jamming. This band sound sounds similar to CCR, maybe CCR was inspired by this band’s sound? Sometimes in Winter - this one sounds like a whole bunch of different popular bands mixing together. This is a really good song. Just overall a great piece, and is extremely different from the one before. more and more - we are back to the CCR sound, and to the swing jazz. Very fun to listen to, and another big hit. I don’t understand why this band isn’t more well known they are so good. And when i die - with the first second I already know that this is a good song. Country can’t go wrong! This is another great song. God Bless the child - this one is a soulfully slow song, very nice a calming. This is my favorite kinda Jazz/Rock where the kinda march along the beat (dun-dun-DUN, dun-dun-DUN). I don’t know exactly what the song is about, I sound very sweet at the end. Spinning wheel - yo that song is popping man. I especially love when the singer harmonizes his voice with the horn. You made be so very happy - i finally released that this singer reminds me if the band America. I really love these love ballads, good jazz is unexplainable. It is just good, and I groove with it. OOOH, and then it switches from the love ballad to that rocking jazz that hits you in the soul, it makes you feel alive. Blues Pt. 2 - this almost like a jazzy orchestral arrangement, both in style and in length. It starts with this haunting organ almost like a haunted house, but then the organ breaks into a jazzy rhythm in the second movement. Reminds me of the bit tunes they would use in the boss levels in videogames. And then there hs a slight pause before moving into the third movement which just sounds like a different rhythm than the second, but then it fires out with all these other jazz instruments. And then settles into this nice Electric Bass groove until it lets up, and then the drums that were just whispering in the background just fly out and now it’s their turn to show their stuff. Then it get into the funky groove, and all the instruments so far come together in this exciting funk paving the way for the explosion of the brass. And then they settle down letting the sax do its thing With the bass and drum as their rhythm. Then eventually it all shifts to a slower beat and quieter dynamic. And it sounds a little bit more romantic and an electric guitar is whispering in. I feel a little bit of a tension in the way that they staccato all the notes with big spaces and hard accent, and then sometimes very familiar starts. First quiet then it blasts in your ear. And then it settles into the blues, and here the lyrics start. Oh man is this a good blues song, with incredible opening. Variations on a theme pt 2: this fades in from the previous song and closes out the album. This one have fuller sound that the first one since it has more instruments. I very nice way to end out the album. More and More (live) - this one rocks a little bit harder than the recording, I like it. Smiling Phases (live) - they made this one a really grand piece. It starts put classical then shift into a slow jazz, that eventually transitions into this battle rhythm with the drum, and then it brakes out into the main song. Then they just really expand on the instrumental interludes of the original. It gets really crazy in the middle because they start taring the song down to a slow pulse a then builds it back up in a matter of seconds. To clarify the taring down is really long and then they build it up fast. It was incredibly good. Even the audience had to applaud them when they built it up so fast. I really love this album, it switches between very different styles of music rock, classic, jazz, folk, country, and the do it incredibly well. I love it when they step back from the lyrics and just let the instrument shine with blazing glory!!! This gets a very strong 4 stars.
More familiar with this band and album than I initially thought. It's great, it's got that big chaotic big band jazz and rock fusion thing from the 70s going on and shares a lot of the same space as the music from Jesus Christ Superstar which I absolutely love. Had a great time listening to this.
I don't know why, but not at all what I expected. I had the wrong idea about Blood, Sweat & Tears. Oh wait, maybe I was thinking of Earth, Wind & Fire. Anyway, good stuff. Great voice. Weird, good, stuff.
No idea where this was going one minute to the next. Constantly surprising
Oldy man singing style, I like it. Some songs got samples from this album which makes it fun to listen to. Reminds me of Frank Sinatra 3/4****
Hell yeah, this record is FUN. It’s absolutely all over the place, but the energy pulsing through the veins is electric. Have to knock a star for how jarring all of these songs sound together on one record but there are some bangers in the mix. Jazz rock absolutely bangs. Solid 4
Good album. Both sound and lyrics. Combines a wide range of insturments genres. Rock, jazz, blues, country etc. It doesn't feel formulaic and has its own charm.
Except for track 1 this is a great album of funk rock
The 60’s & 70’s were a hell of a time to be a horn player. Some fluff here but overall a great album. 4/5
A little bit bonkers and incoherent but in a fun way. It's jazzy, and rocky, and bluesy, and folks and everything inbetween. Pretty impressive for the 60s but I'm not sure I'd revisit it often, and it seems to have been slightly forgotten by time. A diamond in the rough overall. 21/11/23
местами очень хороший, местами слишком авангард, надо привыкать)
wow, that was unexpectedly fun!
Some good 60s jazz rock
Very unique sound and good songs.
LP
Very cool old school album. Would love the vinyl for dad's house
Vrolijk jazz-plaatje. Wist niet echt wat te verwachten, maar positief verrast
Good funky pop jazz. A shame it's mostly covers, but I liked it!.
This album was a solid three stars, until Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy, both of which slap in different ways. Also, covering Satie is a move. For a fairly traditional band, they have so much variety, depth and groove. If they ever formed the super group Blood, Sweat, Tears, Earth, Wind and Fire (and Water) it'd be the greatest thing ever.
Unglaublich schmissig und abwechslungsreich, ein Banger nach dem anderen. Up Beat Musik, die nicht langweilig wird. Besonders die Bläser werten die Tracks auf.
Cool - Spinning wheel einfach classic. Der Sound generell liegt einfach gut im Ohr. Hübsche Platte. 3,5!
Sehr viel Spaß, wer so vibed muss nicht kohärent sein.
G e i l Spaßiger Genremix, super produziert Nix für den Hintergrund aber megafun zum aktiv hören
Only knew the debut album of BST. This is the follow-up and feels more accessible. I thought it was a pretty strong records, vocals are not top but I liked most of the songs and in particular the trumpets.
honestly, really enjoyable. "variations on a theme song" bored me highly, but the rest of the album was great! thank you for giving me some albums that are upbeat and not droning too much, website
Genre is completely meaningless. Is this funk? Yes. Is it prog rock? Yes. Is it folk? Yes. Blues? Yes. Jazz? Yes. Ska? Also yes. I really don't know what to think about this album - I'd need to listen a few times. There were parts that I really enjoyed (the vocals were great), and parts that I didn't enjoy. I think overall it was pretty good. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
This was pretty nice. Liked all the crossovers with classical music and that Sunshine of Your Love part. + Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie + Sometimes In Winter + And When I Die + God Bless The Child + Spinning Wheel + You've Made Me So Very Happy + Blues, Pt. 2
August 31, 2023 HL: "Spinning Wheel", "...Happy", "Sometimes in Winter", "God Bless the Child"
You wonder who had the idea to create an LP featuring Erik Satie movements with the bluesy, burly voice of David-Clayton Thomas, not to mention the combo of jazz horns and rock, the jazz-worthy piano solo in “Smiling Phases”, the alto solo in “Blues Part 2” and a handful of pop-radio hits. I guess that was one of the great things about the late sixties: you could get a record contract for thinking outside of the box. There is only one original cut on the album and it’s the best one, IMO, David Clayton Thomas’ “Spinning Wheel” but his stellar voice brings life to many of the covers. A 5 all the way but I don’t like the interpolations of other peoples' hits in the lengthy Blues Part 2.
Great album! Great vocals and accompaniment!
I'm new to Blood, Sweat & Tears and I enjoyed this intro quite a lot! It made for great Monday morning work music. I recognise Spinning Wheel from a few places. I read that they have quite a wild story of shooting to fame and crashing quite hard after about 3 albums. I'd like to listen to those other albums but I can see why this was in the middle of the 3. SUCH a 60s sound, I really enjoy his voice it's lovely. I found this album so inventive and creative, found myself dancing a lot which is great. I also felt like listening went by so quickly which is another great sign, I couldn't find anything but the extended version but didn't even find it too long! Was about to list some highlights but then I'd end up writing the whole thing. Blues Pt. 2 was maybe my fave though. Loved the beginning and ending too. Loved the mix of jazz, blues and rock. The only thing I don't really understand and can't be bothered to figure it out, is the mix of what they've written themselves and what is covered. It seems like there was a lot of changes in the group...
I loved this! So varied. Know nothing about this band but it was delightful. A fun mix of jazz and blues and weirdly orchestral themes? I'm a sucker for brass instruments so I was well up for this
Good
Awesome horn section; always loved the trombone/bass trombone sound on Spinning Wheel. Variations on a Theme by Erick Satie is so great too. Love the vibe of this early BS&T album.
Good album with some great tracks. Did feel they were trying to find their sound
A firm entry into the Dad Classics genre. Rock and jazz together, you say? I'm there! Literally my only complaint is that Lucretia Macevil isn't on here.
A fun weird one that kept me on my toes.
Realized as I started listening to this that it was one of these bands I had in my head as a thing with no clear or examined idea of what they were actually about. Just a disconnected name. If you'd played me the two well-known songs off this LP blind I couldn't have told you who they were by. Anyway pretty odd, maybe. Little too show-tuney quite often for my tastes, but I generally liked it, and an extra point for unabashed wierdness.
I liked this
Album 103 of 1001 Blood, Sweat & Tears - Blood, Sweat & Tears Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Track : Spinning Wheel A personal favorite. I really wanted to put a 5 on it, but there are some weaker moments. If I were producing, I would have probably put the songs in a different order so as to grab the listener a little quicker and also cut back on the 12 minute "Blues" track. It could have started and ended a bit stronger. Fun album. Little rock, little jazz. Is it this or is it that? Some good tunes.
Well this is an utterly bonkers album, moving from some awesome funk to I don't know what, passing through rock opera just for funsies in the middle. While I don't particularly object to any one of these genres, the album is just way too much of a mish-mash... As I type we've just launched into some Latin merengue which then dissolves into an organ lament. On first listen it is just tiring. The funk is beautiful. The jazzy stuff is beautiful. Blues part 2 is beautiful. There's so much to love here, but it just doesn't seem to hang together properly as an album. I don't know. Do I want to look past the oversaturation of styles? Lordy, it's a tough choice.
Oh hell to the yes. Can't fault this album for variety, energy, or virtuosity. Starts with that cool Gymnopedie cover, then the rock kicks in. Fun fact: the band toured with Jason Paige as their lead singer; he's best known for singing the theme song to Pokémon.
I was not expecting peaceful, orchestral music from the get go. Definitely settles more into a jaunty big-room style of music that I love. Some parts remind me of Final Fantasy. This was a very unique album. I really love the genres that it covered. I want to give this one a 4.5, but will settle for a 4.
Crazy unique album that I had no idea where it was going to go after the first song. Really like the jazzy symphony beginning that then turned into sounding like Deep Purple. Then finished off with the absolute banger of Blues pt2. The drum solo and jazz mix was awesome and I think there was even a Cream sample thrown in
Never heard of these guys but oooo this first song is pretty jazzy towards the end. Just realized the first side is all covers besides one song. Jazzy muufuggin covers. Ok I know Spinning Wheel this song fucks. You Make Me So Very Happy is also a jam that I've heard before. WHERE IS BLUES PT. I???? Should be the anthem for Blues games. If jazz and psychedelic music met and had a baby, and meanwhile rock and r&b met and had a baby. By some miracle if those two babies met and fucked, this would be the shit they birthed.
4.25
varied and interesting, doesn't always hit the mark, but does often enough. 3.7
An incredible group. I’m deeply familiar with two of the singles, the incredible spinning wheel and if I die, which is a song you don’t expect them to do but it’s magnificent. The rest of the album is a strong album. Liked side one in particular. Side two is pretty great though.
I was familiar with the song "Spinning Wheel" before this album came up on my list. I enjoyed the varied styles that this band devised for the album. Pretty cool.
Enjoyed
Good mix of sounds coming together as one.
The compositions - really, the whole composition - has a thrown-together quality that is hard to shake, even with the deft early piano and late fades. It also works, in the way good live jazz recordings can. This isn't that, near as can tell: Plenty of artifice. But it's Canadian artifice in service of something compelling.
Jammin' all over the place
I forgot about this album! I do really enjoy it. But the secret they won’t tell you is that they are a jazz group masquerading as a 60s rock act.
Lovely atmosphere, sounded great listening to it in the morning. Just the right balance of technicality and emotion
Great band, good rhythm section and horn arrangements. I really like the singers voice- reminds me of something but I can’t place it. The music has a lot of cool transitions and was not predictable. Kind of theatrical, and proggy but soulful too. I feel like they succeeded in recording something different.
Pretty insane. This was definitely the most interesting record we’ve had in a while. I wouldn’t necessarily come back to this record but it’s so well done I feel like it deserves a high score. The conception, arrangements and production are top tier and the band and singer all sound great.
I have listened to this twice because I can’t decide if it’s brilliant or awful. It’s so so strange. I am going to give it a 4 because I’ve thought more about this than most things we have listened to.
Klinkt origineel en vernieuwend, goed geproduceerd, totaal onverwacht deze. Niet alle nummers waren even sterk.
verta ja hikeä ja kyyneliä ja pissaa ja paskaa ja räkää ja mutaa ja kuraa ja spermaa ja sylkeä ja liejua ja mömmöä ja sohjoa ja hyytelöä ja mätää ja mömmöä ja visvaa ja smegmaa ja likaa ja tököttiä ja limaa ja tahmaa ja mönjää ja loskaa ja blues pt 2
Another band I never knew existed until this album popped up on my screen, but I'm happy they do exist. There's some real crap in here, I'll be real with you. But if you ignore the 12 minutes of Blues, Pt. 2 then it's a very solid album. You've Made Me So Very Happy is one of my new favorite songs, the vocals are actually a very interesting gravelly sound that fits with the jazzy orchestra sound behind. The surprise factor always helps with the rating in these cases, and I'm eager to come back to the album at a later time.
7/10. Kinda jazzy, kinda rocky, kinda enjoyable. Played an obscure Donald Fagen song I hadn't heard on the Spotify mix afterwards, so that's a plus.
really good and cool with the mix of genres
The time in the late 60's where the jazz audience, the cool soul frogs, the blues birds and the hippies all came together and listened to a very stoned David Clayton-Thomas. Because there are so many styles on this album and it jumps from compact jumpy songs to long experimental instrumentals, the album does have a somewhat ambivalent character. But there's something for everyone to be found on this album.
Jazz rock. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
Good mix of jazz and proper 60s r&B. Heavy on the horn section.
satie
Nice Jazz rock album
7.6
Listened
Technically, the recording is great, the musicianship is tight and articulate, this record is really well done. But, on the other hand, sometimes it sounds like Schoolhouse Rocks and sometimes it sounds like the soundtrack from some obscure dramatic film from the 70's that no one needs to remember; it's a little "all over the map" in terms of genre and style. I don't love listening to it, even though they do really good work from a technical standpoint. 6/10
Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie (1st and 2nd Movements) 3 Smiling Phases 3.3 Sometimes in Winter 3.1 More and More 3.3 And When I Die 3.5 God Bless the Child 3.4 Spinning Wheel 3.5 You've Made Me So Very Happy 3.5 Blues - Part II 3.3 Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie (1st Movements) 3 Score: 3.29
Feels too much like the kind of 60s stuff my mum thinks is better than The Beatles.
Don't really know what to make of it. It wasn't particularly coherent but it also wasn't bad but also not outstanding or anything
It’s a bit all over the place genre wise, but it’s not a bad album. I do like a couple of the songs quite a bit. 3/5
Good varied album, some decent tracks without being outstanding
Decent without ever grabbing me
Apart from the 2 big hits, I found this a frustrating and unrewarding album. Quite dated and weird (not in a good way!). Maybe the worst version of God Bless The Child I have ever heard?!
Quite good, but it outstays its welcome a bit. Anyway. I like trains.
Shoutout to one of the best opening tracks. For when I want to listen to Chicago but not actually listen to Chicago. I probably won’t remember this in a week, but it was nice while it was here.
Incredibly odd album, I think I need more time to wrap my head around it. It's sometimes gorgeous, mostly interesting, but there is no cohesiveness whatsoever, and I do care a bit about that when looking at an album. But it is interesting, and not boring, I'm glad I heard it
Interesting - not something I'd likely listen to again - but solid enough.
Decent - a few classics!
Mid ahhhhh. Some fun instrumentals but a piece of work. That item you find at the garage sale and start excited about but put away and never really come back to. Drink: cold cup of instant coffee with a bitter taste but like 2 creamers so certainly edible. Rating is 5.7/10
Probably fresh when it came out but not sure it holds up
Such high highs with low lows, making an okay album with glimmers if genius
I am not very versed in the ways of jazz, which is why I couldn't stop hearing The Muppet Christmas Carol in many of the horns sections of this album. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it. Sorry if I've now ruined it for you.
The Gymnopedie cover was a crazy move
Fine. Sounded weirdly like Jesus Christ Superstar at times
More and More I find myself listening to albums like these.
I thought I knew them, but then halfway through though no maybe they just sound like someone I know and then the hit came on and I was like oh yeah....So it was fine
They saved the hits for the end, making me think “how do I know these guys?” until “oh, that song, and that song.” This was fine, I like the little circus act they break out here and there. It’s quirky and hot messy enough to be interesting.
This is who did Spinning Wheel? No shit? I used to play that song in Middle School "Jazz" band. Also, this is a good choice for the list. It won album of the year in 1970 and has seemingly been completely forgotten about in music discourse.
Ni slabo
3 stars I’m embarrassed to say that I got into BS&T from listening to Adam Carolla rave about them on Loveline when I was 13. I was into ska at the time so I loved music with horns and got their greatest hits CD. Ended up liking it at the time. This album shows up in a lot of bargain bins and thrift stores. It’s not an album that has stood the test of time as a classic album that took home album of the year over Abbey Road. But it’s not garbage. This album makes up about half of the Greatest Hits CD I had those years ago. It can be a bit cheesy, but the songs are decently written. The jazzy instrumental stuff doesn’t fit in with the rest, but you could do much worse than this.
Fine, nothing really stuck with me.
It's like music for old people who don't really exist anymore.
Classic example of the late 60's horn section-forward genre similar to Chicago. Lots of experimentation and mixing of elements of jazz and psychedelica and rock. Despite impressive individual musicianship, the overall sum is not greater than the parts and the whole album falls a bit flat.
This album has some really great songs on it! The biggest highlights are songs like “more and more”, “variations on a theme by Erik Satie”, and I also liked “you’ve made me so very happy”. I enjoy the enthusiastic merging of genres. And all the instrumentation is wildly talented and gifted! My only real complaint about this album is that it’s just kind of a vibe, like it doesn’t have a like a stand out hit it’s just a bunch of well seasoned musicians going to town without making a huge hit. Genuinely a solid album but alittle dry and boring to be blunt.
It was interesting to see how big a seller this record was. I can see why. The singles really get stuck in your head and this offers a pretty accessible version of its sound, which is dominated by a slick and heavy r&b sound, with rock and gospel influences. It was a sound that a lot of bands were embracing around this time. It contains a number of fairly eclectic tracks as well, including an arrangement of a theme by Eric Satie that opens and closes the record. There are also moments where there is a strong jazz influence. Overall, it's a solid record made by very talented musicians, but there is something a little too slick about it for me. Still very listenable.
Surprised by all the hate on this album. It’s pretty decent rock-jazz and not at all unpleasant to listen to
Never heard any of this before, except for Spinning Wheel. Sometimes comes on like a more pretentious and less-melodically-direct Small Faces. Sometimes heads into schmaltz. All with an undercurrent of high school brass band jazz. This all sounds very disparaging though it's really not meant to. It's quite a nice warm sound, and a fairly rewarding listen. Just not one I'm sure I'll return to. There are simply other bands making soul, blues, pop, or jazz that I'd rather hear.
There are some interesting sounds in the album but overall this album is pretty boring for me. And some parts just sound like a bunch of random noises.
Nothing wrong with mixing things up but on too many of the mid-song style changes you can hear the gears grinding, undermining some very nice tunes.
Not really into prog
Surprised to hear the opening track! This is exactly why I stick with this challenge. Moments like this one.
Pretty good
Going in, I thought this would be a strong 3/5 and maybe even a 4/5. By the time we got to the "Yee Haw" section of the album it was pretty clear this album was going to come in below expectations. Rating: A very, very weak 3/5.
I went into this cold, but based on the band name I was expecting some stodgy blues rock. Instead it's more jazzy and spacious, with great use of horns. The 10 minute penultimate track was a bit too much of a meandering, stoner jam for me, but still overall it exceeded my admittedly low expectations.
Probably needs a second listen. Felt random in a bad way, but I liked it
3.5
güzeldi ya aktı spn şarkısı bombastik bi şeydi
Классные дядьки. Сперва я испугался и три дня не заходил, а зря, хороший альбом.
I liked most of this album
Soundið er næs og brassið gott, en sum lögin eru ekki mjög eftirminnileg. God bless the child útgáfan er bara la-la. Spinning whee byrjar frábærlega en ég hef aldrei fílað stefnuleysið í lokin. Chopin upphafið er næs You've made me so very happy finnst mér frábært, en það er ekki nóg í fjarka.
Many saxofoons and tronpets
It’s aigt
This was okay blues nothing bad nothing great
Classic rock and timeless. Some of it is too horn-heavy for me. Overall a ripping collection of high powered passion.
Slightly odd album with each song going in a different direction and leading to a bit of a weird 'mish-mash'. The opener and closer - 'Variation of a Theme', are both lovely whimsical, nostalgic instrumental pieces. There are some great songs in the middle - 'Spinning Wheel' and 'You've made me so Very Happy'. But there are so many left turns into odd stylistic choices such as organs, and the 12 minute 'Blues Pt 2' is tough to listen to in the context of the album. Doubtless great musicianship on show and some proper highlights, but a tough album to listen to from start to finish. 6/10
Very solid tho not as amazing as I expected. Just a bit derivative
Macho, nascent proggy rock generously sprinkled with big band, jazz, and blues sounds.
If Chicago is Chicago, then this is... well, some less-populated city in Illinois that I would mention if there were another city in Illinois. Decent enjoyment for an early glimpse into "what happens if you put the shiny yellow instruments into rock music?" No songs to love, but music to like.
Sounds very much like ccr and those style of bands Pretty fine 3/5 probably There was a few that were pretty good but a majority of the tracks were just… there Favorites: sometimes in winter
All over the place and not incredibly memorable, but not bad.
I thought it started out kind of strong, but then they started waffling around. I even checked my phone once to see if it had switched to autoplay because each song sounded so disconnected from the one before it, I was confused. This is an EXTREMELY light 3, like a 2.6.
Quite cheesy at times but also had some great peaks and the drumming was rly good
Some pretty good songs, but overall a lot that didn't really catch me.
5/10
Oli taas liian ”progea” mun makuuni. Hyviä biisejä oli ”And When I Die” ja ”Spinning Wheel”. Tällä levyllä oli aika kummalliset rumpusoundit, aivan liian diskanttiset ja rytmi välillä ikäänkuin katosi kun muut soittimet tuli miksauksessa päälle.
Surprisingly good, really disliked the first track but the rest is really good. Maybe slightly long.
Interesting, particularly their attempt to incorporate brass into their overall sound. Some really good bits--for instance I really like part of "More and More", but overall I think they failed to really incorporate brass in an interesting way. It is like much of the song presentation and structure is backward facing to big band style rather than really creating something new. Probably belongs on this list none-the-less.
A tight, well structured album. I definitely thought “spinning wheel” was a Chicago song.
Not sure what it was trying to be really. I liked the production though
3.5 - pretty good
Very chill, slow, good for evening, Christian lyrics-okay
Bookended with borrowed classical flourishes, the album quickly dives into psychedelia before veering off to Broadway—something in the vein of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. From there it slips into crooning, then suddenly detours into samba. It’s all over the place. I recognised “Spinning Wheel,” though I hadn’t realised it was theirs as my only exposure had been old TV variety coveres by the likes of Shirley Bassey or Frankie Vaughan. Then comes their take on “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.” After that, we’re in church (and I do love a bit of organ), before shifting into straight jazz, and finally landing on a direct lift of Sunshine of Your Love. This is quite a journey of an album. I enjoyed the ride—but I’ve no real desire to take it again.
Just okay
Pirma minecraft daina, likusios oke.
did not expect variations on a theme by erik satie
Very cowboy. Good for a dusty trip
A interesting listen but very much of its time.
Objectively good music but not my taste. Probably won’t ever listen to it again.
At first I noticed BS&T by BTS. That one song on the very top album sounds familiar to me tho couldn't quite name. I find myself pretty enjoy this.
I thought this would be just like those other late 60's/early 70's Blues-y psych snoozefests, but actually I enjoyed this one quite a bit. The jazzy and soulful leanings set it apart greatly, and I liked the pastoral, yet cosmopolitan vibe of the whole thing. The use of Satie was a bit pretentious but I can live with it. Key tracks: God Bless the Child Spinning Wheel
Fun, hilarious, kinda lame and kinda groovy.
3.3 It was fine, thought is sounded a lot like Guess Who. That spinning wheel song was on a random sports blooper VHS video we had growing up, during the racecar crash segment. Looking back on that video, there were definitely a few fatalities in those crashes. And the football hit portion was a CTE factory. We didnt have cable growing up so we probably watched that video 5000 times. I wonder if I could find a copy nowaday.
Didn't really work as a record, but a few decent tracks on here.
Approve of horns in rock and al kooper. Kinda boring tho.
Super solid 60's stylings....Spinning Wheel is a banger.
I had no idea who these were, then listened to a few songs and id definitely heard them in the past. I like spinning wheel and all the aspects of it, I liked a few more songs on here. But I don’t think I’ve give it the listen it deserves. You’ve made me so very happy as some great parts to it as well. Infact there’s a lot of this album I dig, a lot of repetitiveness but not enough to put me off. I enjoy the music and the voice working together really well. Im going to save this album and re visit it.
For the most part, I feel like this is more of a jazz band trying to play rock rather than a rock band with elements of jazz. As a result, it's a little too horn forward in places, and in other parts a little bit overly technical, to the point where it takes away from the impact of the song. Feels like something a music teacher would love. I do like Spinning Wheel a lot tho.
Eclectic and funky. Like Chicago if they were a 60s band. Dont really get the mix of tracks (mostly the Erik Satie stuff - wasnt bad, but didnt prime me for what was to come), but this was fun to rock to. Powerful vocals and loved the random rhythmic stuff they throw at you. More And More was epic. 3.5 stars
buen album jazz rock de los 60s me gusto pero nada mas
Nice album with vintage rock, folk, and jazz tones. Especially like the jazz breaks. Unexpected for sure, and executed well. 3.2/5.0
I feel like I should have enjoyed this more than I did. A few standouts, but nothing really pulled me in. Felt like it was missing something.
Listened Before? N It's fine. I bet they ate all this instrumentation and jamming up in the 60s. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: And When I Die
Eh, this was fine.