Blood, Sweat & Tears- And When I Die REACTION & REVIEW

[@michaellockhart554]

David Clayton Thomas, the lead singer, tells a story about a girl, who was dating the bands bass player and brought them food every night, well one night she asked if he'd like to hear some of her songs. She then sat at the piano a played Stone Souled Picnic, Wedding Bell Blues, Eli's Comming, amd this song. David chose this one to cover

[@Drummingvulture]

Back in the late '60s we were being fed so many different styles and sounds. Many of the songs had tempo changes like this one. I don't know about anyone else, but they kinda prepared my mind to accept bands such as King Crimson, ELP and Yes, with all of their unfamiliar sounds and tempo changes. I do hope that some day you will explore BS&T's first album, 'Child Is Father To The Man'. Al Kooper was the lead vocalist / keyboardist. A few outstanding songs from the album are "I Can't Quit Her" and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know".

[@davidburton9136]

I agree. The sound was definitely country inspired, and the instrumentation pretty jazzy, but the changes were really like early prog.

[@maruad7577]

This Laura Nyro cover is a grower. I remember not liking it the first time I heard of it but now I love it. Another great song off this album is their cover of "God Bless The Child".

[@tomtortolani8082]

This beat out the Beatles for the 1969 Grammy album of the year. Definitely worth an album reaction.

[@courtneywallace871]

Love, love, love this song. It’s the fourth song on my playlist. Thx Justin.

[@SpiderMcGee]

BS&T were/are a jazz-rock fusion band. I'd call this early, early prog/jazz, if that's even a thing.

[@DavidB-2268]

Written by the incomparable Laura Nyro. Yet another of her songs that found great success in the hands of another performer.

[@bobholtzmann]

The vocal group The Fifth Dimension depended on Laura's songs for quite a string of their hits -- "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Wedding Bell Blues", and someone else made a hit of "Stony End", although many artists sang it. Laura Nyro intended "And When I Die" to be a gospel song, and didn't like BS&T's cowboy arrangement, but I thought it was fun.

[@DavidB-2268]

@bobholtzmann Stoney End was a hit for Barbara Streisand. Three Dog Night had a big hit with Eli's Comin'. A great talent, taken far too soon by breast cancer.

[@richardfurness7556]

To say nothing of the influence her material had on artists such as Todd Rundgren, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Kate Bush.

[@-davidolivares]

I have to listen to her Gonna Take A Miracle album periodically with the bombastic vocal help by La Belle, which they sometimes threaten to take away the song in a good way.

[@maruad7577]

Laura Nyro is greatly under appreciated.

[@thatguysme]

I was introduced to BS&T with this album in '68 by my uncle, who was a trombonist in the AFA Falconaires. This album was a great step in widening my musical tastes when I was young, and still gets played regularly. 😃

[@CCDzine]

Go Down Gamblin' is a must.

[@78zappaf]

It's such a great track.

[@berndrebhahn9862]

Grandgrandpa73 here: This was a Mix from Gospel and Spaghetti Western. You here the Horses dancing on the Hearse. Love this Band.😅😅

[@MichaelAndrews-uy1gl]

These guys were full of talent, and with their musical abilities, they could take you to other planes not imagined...incomparable.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Just a wonderful song here recorded so beautifully hope you enjoy cannot wait to watch

[@frugalseverin2282]

I'm not familiar with any of their studio albums, just a Best Of collection. Eventually that wasn't enough for me so I made a 2nd disc to complement it. A talented group with a unique sound and this song is excellent, I don't care what genre you put it in. To me it's a modern spiritual that doesn't get all preachy.

[@scottmcgregor4829]

I always thought that this song sounds like it came from a great musical that never was. The theme seems to be I can think of a thousand ways to die but all of them would be in my sleep.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Justin! How's your day going? This classic is just a great song. Usually played in my house on Sundays. Enjoy my friend!👍🔈🔉🔊😎

[@TheoZoffrok]

Please, please, *PLEASE* would you dip a toe into the waters of Laura Nyro, the genius who wrote this song as a teenager. You'll soon find yourself diving right in, so much astonishing work, especially in her albums from Eli & The 13th Confession through to Gonna Take A Miracle.

[@TheoZoffrok]

@@evanhughes1510 Ah! I've probably seen it then. In fact I might well have made the same entreaty on that one...

[@markdrechsler5660]

In spirit, it is a spiritual. Just oddly arranged.

[@mikewoodrow5878]

BS&T - one of the great “horn bands” from the era (Chicago, Lighthouse, Earth Wind and Fire, Muscle Shoals and Tower of Power, etc). With the added bonus of the primo vocals from David Clayton Thomas. If you wanna hear a cooker, check out Go Down Gamblin’.

[@davidherbert4508]

It's bluesey,jazzy,rock with a hint of new Orleans, western, and circus

[@dalebutler7367]

Laura Nyro's musical influences included Broadway vignettes. The song would fit seamlessly in Roger's and Hamerstein's "Oklahoma".

[@MisterWondrous]

Most people never heard this longer Aaron Copland flavored version. The radio version is a lot easier for the modern ear to digest. I can't recall...have you yet done "I love you more than you'll ever know"? It has soul and punch.

[@submandave1125]

Ever made the connection to Copland before, but it’s very apt.

[@MisterWondrous]

@@submandave1125 Specially Rodeo and Billy the Kid Suite.

[@mmangum4444]

I have always imagined this song performed in a musical. Awesome tune!

[@tkengathegrateful4844]

When I was a little kid my mom just about wore this album out. That and Bridge over Troubled Water.

[@nationaltrails9585]

Back when the song came out, our High School English Composition Teacher played the record in class and asked us write about the meaning of the song ...??? It sounds like it now could have fit in with the movie Blazing Saddles (1974). :)

[@yes_head]

The great David Clayton-Thomas. BS&T is yet another band from the late 60's that you could call "progressive" because of the playfulness in the arrangements and blending of styles. In the musical theater world this wouldn't have been a big deal, but for a pop song it was groundbreaking. I'd categorize this song as pop with country and gospel influences. I get how to younger ears it probably sounds dated (probably even 'corny'), but for the late 60's this was an amazing piece of pop music.

[@JamesHowe]

I think I'm used to the radio version of this song because I didn't remember it being quite this way. I agree with others that there is a definite Aaron Copeland feeling to the 'western' parts of the song. You have to remember, this was the late 60's, experimentation was everywhere. 🙂

[@MrSmartAlec]

Makes me think of a Broadway musical 4:36

[@jeffp3415]

This song has the mood/sound of a Western movie soundtrack from that time.

[@philipchambers4165]

The BS&T version was my first exposure to this song though, as has been previously mentioned, it is a Laura Nyro song of the mid 60s first made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary (66) - very much a folksy/singer songwriter affair. I prefer the BS&T version but understand your confusion as it's certainly not a typical sound from them. Nobody was really interested in 'genre' in that period - one of the reasons it was undoubtedly the most creative era for popular music.

[@flomalheur7467]

For very personal reasons, one of my favorite BS&T songs is “For My Lady.” (only takes 3 1/2 minutes). Maybe you can “slide in” the song or play it together with another one. "Cowboys and Indians" from the same album (BS&T4) would be an option.

[@thomasmcintosh390]

For some reason I have always pictured this as a soundtrack to a Western. Seriously have about half a screenplay already in my head based on this song. A semi-historical musical set in post Civil War California. Most of the money from the gold rush went to those that sold mining equipment.

[@JustJP]

Time to get that screenplay from mind to pen! :D

[@thomasmcintosh390]

@@JustJP Google Nancy Gooch b1811 - d1901 for a hint

[@arjaylee]

Parts of this song used to remind me of Aaron Copeland's "HoeDown"

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

🤠 And When I die, I can only go to heaven. Because it's been a Hell of a ride so far. Cowboy prog? Plains pop? Deep-West disco?🐎🐎🦬🦌🐐.✌&❤.( And I think The Beatles would agree. If you Come Together, it should be mutually!).

[@hannejeppesen1809]

A little like The Band, they both had some blues, a little country, jazz and rock and roll. I have this album, they are of my generation. The Band is one of my favorite bands of all times.

[@michaelgray5100]

This is one of BS&T best songs to me anyway. Justin, you should listen to their 2nd album titled their band name. It's a great album!

[@Rael_486]

Show Tunes 😊

[@arjaylee]

I appreciate music that stymies genrefication.

[@cazgerald9471]

BS&T released their first two albums in 1968 - I can't really think of another example of a band that changed so much from their first to second albums.

[@scottthornton9403]

Al Kooper's departure completely changed this band. Not for the better in my opinion.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

ABC's beauty stab was a radical rockout out of the lexicon of love

[@bradwatson1048]

What is this? This is Laura Nyro. Genius. When you sign on to cover her work, you're on for the whole ride.

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

Love it. Justin please look at "Chase" and their songs Open Up Wide(instrumental) and Handbags and Gladrags. I know you will enjoy and thanks as always. I get a little tribute to Aaron Copeland in this song.

[@Lightmane]

Thanks for showing me Chase. They were incredible.

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

@@Lightmane we have exchanged some great music back and forth.

[@martinsmusic1724]

Indeed. Open Up Wide and Get It on.

[@bobholtzmann]

"Open Up" is an interesting instrumental track from Chase, but I mostly know them for their hit "Get It Up", which gave them recognition. For some reason, they regressed after releasing their debut album, while BS&T and Chicago gained more popularity.

[@-davidolivares]

Yes, Copeland, absolutely.

[@lisadee.]

Justin! It's been a minute~ it is still refreshing to know that when I do come back your positive vibe is still in tact 👍😊 This was a great reaction to come back to 😆❤ Stay safe out there~ hope you all are doing well. Looks like you've lost weight.

[@JustJP]

Thanks so much for stopping in Lisa! Hope you're doing well also! (lost about 30 since Jan 😄)

[@JustJP]

@@uiwwiu4003 of course! 1. Diet changes: cutting a lot of sugar, carbs. Egg whites for breakfast, light snack during the day (nuts, salad, etc) and normal dinner. 2. Running/biking/jogging almost every day. Also workout videos which focus on different areas of your body for a total workout👍

[@markdyer6996]

Fantastic album . In many ways BS &T were more slick than counterparts Chicago . Thanks for this . Now :- Rod Argent ‘ No. 1 ‘ from the album ‘ Moving Home ‘ Audience ‘ Priestess ‘ from ‘ Friends Friends Friend ‘ And because I know you like a great organ solo , try :- ‘ Nigh Flight ‘ from UK band Affinity . Self titled album . JP , I know you love to go out on a limb . Night Flight gets you right out there . I promise 👏👍

[@maruad7577]

I was hoping for the Audience song "Trombone Gulch" at Halloween but no luck there.

[@markdyer6996]

Great tune , even if a little out of Audience’s mainstream , but let’s keep hoping 👍

[@dennispower5362]

LOVED IT GOOD MEMORY

[@BennoWitter]

I've never heard this before. I only knew the "Peter, Paul and Mary" version.

[@lawrencesimon7355]

This is a Laura Nyro song, in order to understand what kind of song it is, you would have to listen to Laura's version.

[@AaronJoseph-t4b]

Categories are the tool of Marketers for a target audience,if we go through the history of music within the last 200 years there's been individual artists like Handy who was the first known Black Musician to write music particularly "St.Louis Blues" & he claims authorship to JASS & the Blues,of course he wasn't but the first to lay it down Academically & get Published there was " Ragtime" before that, various Marching Bands to which Collages up keep that tradition however tempos are gleened throughout since,then with the advent of recording & Radio came Mildred Baily who became successful enough to have her own weekly Radio Show her own Night Club including her own Home Brew of Beer/Ale,she was 1st Nations & started having the likes of Sinatra,Cosby & others who cite her as inspiration to become Jazz singer's,then there's the "Big Bands" with the Duke Ellington's the Glen Miller's the Dorsy Brothers old timers called R&R the new Swing when lead soloists like Chuck Berry, Elvis,Roy Orbison,Fats Domino became Mainstream then small ensembles oh can't forget the Willi Dixon's & Muddy Waters the Otis Rush,T-Bone Walker who electrified the Blues,I give you a pretty good picture to draw upon.Happy digging on your way to become a Musicologist❤❤🤘🎻🪕🎸🎺🥁🎹🎤

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

A movie was either just released or about to be released on how this band was absolutely destroyed. "What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?" For a short time they were the biggest band in the world. I'm short on specifics, but something like this. They were recruited by the U.S, Government to do a Charm Offensive tour of the Soviet Bloc countries that went all to hell and destroyed them. Both sides of the Political spectrum turned on them and The US Government blackmailing them to do the tour by threatening to deport Canadian Citizen lead singer, Clayton-Thomas.

[@jonathansmith3742]

BS+T has a great vibe. Caught a show 25 yrs ago, as groovy as it gets. Just let me go Naturally.

[@carlcauch2413]

I know you have reviewed this song before but it was the album version. The song I am talking about is The Sky Moves Sideways by Porcupine Tree. Try the same song but the Alternate Version and you will see it takes you deeper into their galaxy. Proves they deserve to be in the universe of superior music which only select groups can be in.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

This is an example as to why Blood Sweat & Tears was far more innovative than Chicago, it's an acquired taste for some.

[@tommyo2450]

I consider it real and great music!

[@betsyduane3461]

reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, beat out of #1 by The Beatles.

[@Vader1138]

This is basically done in old gospel revival stylistically.

[@yw1971]

4:30 - James Brown creeps in

[@-davidolivares]

James Brown don’t creep…

[@sendtosw]

This was the first pop music band to try using brass instruments in their songs. You reacted as if you've never had anyone do anything unexpected before....? That's how people get caught not liking things that are different than what they're used to. Why do you need to classify the type of music? These guys were surprisingly popular, and they had their own style, unlike anyone else's. If they put out this song today, it wouldn't even get out of the studio. My favorite song by them was "Hi-De-Ho," you should check it out. The next group of guys to feature brass instruments were even more popular, Chicago.

[@gregorykerr5062]

Go back to the first album and listen to “I Love You More Than You Know”

[@davidburton9136]

I remember listening to this when it was new, and I was in my very early teens. I always liked it, though with my semi-religious upbringing some of the lyrics gave me pause. What would you call this genre? It definitely has a country sound, but the wild changes almost make it seem progressive, which was hardly even a thing yet. I guess you could almost call it a novelty pop song...really quirky and funny and not meant to be taken too seriously, but also a huge hit.

[@EC-dz3fb]

See? You learned the pattern ... then it changed up! 😉

[@O_Towne_Bear]

This is BS&T genre. Please consider: Lighthouse - "Sunny Days"

[@EC-dz3fb]

"What in the cowboy-musical was this track?" 😹

[@Leftylobber]

Ragtime Funk. Only CCR I bet had this same sound in the 60s

[@sourisvoleur4854]

It's not one genre it's a lot of genres tastefully sewn together. Kind of a sort of jazzy proto-prog.

[@MUSICADELCENTRO]

Please: "Snow Queen"

[@flyingfishsurf]

Laura Nyro, songwriter.

[@davidgale7384]

Country gospel

[@brumleytwitch6265]

You should check out Laura Nyro's version.

[@jpbliss1]

I'd say this is probably closest to gospel, though i certainly hear the country. I'm with others who say BS&T runs hot and cold for me.

[@djg9119]

The style is "Fusion Rock". The sub genre incorporated various styles of music and FUSED them together.

[@ogmandog]

Check out the track God Bless The Child. It will blow your fawkin mind!

[@izzonj]

Why so hung up on what style it is?

[@AaronJoseph-t4b]

@@izzonj it's a byproduct of Marketers to categorize music to create a target audience,if we go through the history of music within the last 150-200 years it had individual artists & Brass ensemble which became known as "Ragtime" "JASS" "Swing" or " Big Band" to where & when the Duke Ellington's, the Glen Miller's,

[@izzonj]

@@AaronJoseph-t4b Of course. But why be slaves to what the marketeers create to divide music? I think the best thing about the mid 60s to early 70s that created some of the most creative popular music is that so many artists felt free to do what they want and to experiment with styles. Big music companies hadn't figured out how to control and contain it yet. They eventually did though.

[@AaronJoseph-t4b]

@@izzonj like the art the business was developing some were honest some were exploitive & Artists not in the know or weren't contractually bound to a Publisher, the cover art & titles & perhaps lyrics were owned by either the label or shady Managers, the generic ASCAP Publisher is still in existence did that kind of binary Academics later artists became educated & would hang on to Publishing/Copyrights,but also bear in mind before the new Swing songwriters & Musicians were seperate & then there's the session artists who were adept using previous structure & add their own penash to create/adapt new trends going through the sixties on both sides of the Pond

[@Lightmane]

This is just a fun song

[@-davidolivares]

Beef, it’s what’s for dinner. I like others, hear Copeland. Speaking of cows, this one grows, didn’t love it immediately but don’t hate it now. May love it in 20 but, that may be too late. Sowwy.

[@maruad7577]

Yeah, it took me a few years to truly appreciate it.

[@-davidolivares]

@@maruad7577 I think I may have started to. Vintage baby steps.

[@maruad7577]

I haven't seen you on the discord channel yet. Do you know if you will be joining? @@-davidolivares

[@-davidolivares]

@@maruad7577 As Tame Impala says, Eventually… I’m a, as David Bowie says, a Slow Burn. Appreciate you asking.

[@ron88303]

It's sixties eclectic.

[@randallcastillo2179]

Fun

[@michaelakkerman407]

Western Polka

[@maruad7577]

Definitely Western. Not the C&W of Nashville but western movies. It really is a song for a western musical that never was.@@evanhughes1510

[@stlmopoet]

To me this has always sounded like a song from a musical, a dance number, but it's an album track. It's brilliant, but unconventional.

[@scottk3034]

Progressive

[@alandhopewell]

I agree, JP; it's a good song, but there's a line in it that bothers me. I love BS&T.

[@OlivusOrchards]

You'll never pin this song down, just enjoy it.

[@Lwize]

It's punk.

[@JustJP]

I hear a bit of grindcore in it

[@Lwize]

@@JustJP Dixie-Core

[@CCDzine]

Kinda ripped off Aaron Copeland.

[@dyslexia1983]

Really don't like this version. Like Nyro's studio version better, but the one I really enjoy is Nyro's stripped-down live version on the piano. Can be found on "The Essential Laura Nyro".

[@sicko_the_ew]

Sounds like a "spiritual", but done by a polka band? (So badly enough done to become something unfamiliar, if I were to put it unkindly.) Gospel, but as you know, it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing. African American gospel style, but made wooden. (I find it hard not to put this unkindly. If I come up with a nicer way of putting it, I might come back and edit this.) Just listen to something like *Down by the Riverside* done right, then imagine giving it "peg legs to walk on", and you get this. . kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqndo5J9d8Zrp80

[@sicko_the_ew]

HEY YOU, Don't Watch That, WATCH THIS!!! This is the heavy heavy monster sound The nuttiest sound around ... and so on ... Probably reaction material, so maybe ask the experts before clicking. *Madness* ... a famous ska song ... of their called: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYCthIBqa9OKrdE

[@jfergs.3302]

Errr, yeah, not fussed on this one. A band that runs hot 'n' cold, for me. This's a weird sort of oom-pah, gospel, country hybrid, that just seems a little odd, and not to my liking at all.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

​@@evanhughes1510He obviously does.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@evanhughes1510 I err don't err know what you mean like! 🤔

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@evanhughes1510 Ok, it wasn't the most thought out response, but your attitude didn't have to be so cutting!

[@jfergs.3302]

@@evanhughes1510County/show tunes, depends on rhe show/film really. That harmonica, faux saloon piano, all country-ish, very Paint Your Wagon I thought. So could fall into both categories i suppose.