University of Virginia Library

BS&T's 'New Blood'

By ANDY BALLENTINE

Somehow, Blood, Sweat &
Tears endures the personnel
changes, and bobs back to the
surface. Their new album,
aptly entitled "New Blood," is
living testimony to a new,
vibrant sound.

Transition dominates the
history of Blood, Sweat &
Tears. Al Kooper collected a
group of superb musicians and
was the band's first lead singer.
The next era belonged to David
Clayton-Thomas and with his
distinctive voice, BS&T soared
to new musical heights,
merging jazz with rock.

After three albums with the
group, Clayton-Thomas struck
out on his own. Multi-talented
Fred Lispsius and Dick
Halligan also departed, leaving
behind the shattered remains
of a successful band.

In searching for
replacements for such losses, a
singer named Jerry Fisher was
discovered, lending a feeling
and spirit never before found
in Blood, Sweat & Tears' lyrics.
The band found its electric
piano and organ in the addition
of Larry Willis, closely
followed by Lou Marini, Jr.
and his woodwinds. The result
is a fresh start for BS&T
surpassing anything previously
accomplished.

Among the novel techniques
featured in "New Blood," most
of the songs on the album are
written by outside musicians,
including notables such as Bob
Dylan, Carole King, and Gerry
Goffin. After first playing the
disc, a friend justly
commented, "That sure
doesn't sound like a Carole
King song." Blood Sweat &
Tears reshapes and transforms
songs into their own unique
sound.

Steve Katz offers a fine
vocal interpretation of
"Velvet," a love song about a
horse, inflicting such emotion
that it may be the high point
of the album. But there is
competition for that honor.

Individually, George
Wadenius' guitar virtuosity
makes "Maiden Voyage" a
memorable excursion into the
clouds. Bobby Colomby
continues to be one of the best
drummers in the industry,
solidifying the music and giving
it a sense of direction. In
addition, BS&T's sterling horn
section lends its sometimes
raucous, sometimes mellow
foundation to the album's
selections.

Blood, Sweat, And Tears: A History Of Transition

Despite such qualities, Jerry
Fisher's lead vocals are the
most outstanding elements in
this album. Fisher integrates
his voice into the music like
David Clayton-Thomas never
could, adding another
explosive instrument to BS&T's
arsenal. In "Over The Hill,"
Fisher launches into a
foot-stomping, boisterous tune,
and shows his diversity with
the next piece, "So Long
Dixie." "Dixie," the groups
current top-40 sound,
distinguishes itself in tender,
shimmering beauty.

With "New Blood," the
band matches Fisher's variety.
In the early albums, Blood,
Sweat & Tears was primarily
into jazz, adding a dash of
rock. With their new release,
BS&T concentrates more
heavily on rock, producing
their best sounds to date.