Drummer reacts to "God Bless the Child" by Blood, Sweat & Tears

[@marcfava9789]

I don’t care what anyone says, they don’t make music this dang good anymore.

[@sheilaholmes8455]

Amen!

[@mikeg9554]

I totally agree! But it's good that there are a few smart, open-minded young people out there!

[@tommyo2450]

Absolutely..

[@tomenrico6199]

David Clayton Thomas! Blue-eyed soul at its best.

[@tommonk7651]

One of the greatest singers in rock history....

[@PogueMahone1]

David Clayton Thomas, Burton Cummings (both Canadian!), Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald = The 4 Blue-eyed Kings!

[@JB-Deadskins]

And When I Die 👍

[@steve9199]

Blood, Sweat and Tears... often called "The Jazz band that played Rock" Chicago was the "Rock band that played Jazz".

[@mitzifrancis9843]

Lucretia MacEvil!!!!! And of course, Spinning Wheel as well as And When I Die are classics.

[@tommonk7651]

And Go Down Gamblin'

[@michaelt6218]

Those of us who (like me) were lucky enough to grow up in that era when music was SO wide open - with room for jazz, pop, folk, salsa, R&B, rock, soul, blues - all of that and any of it blending together was what made music *totally* great back then. It was an amazing time, and I'm so grateful I experienced it, even if that does mean I'm an old man now. 😆🎶

[@jimf2453]

Right there with you.

[@markmurphy558]

This album deserves the album treatment. Banger after banger. There is a pure jazz tune on it, "Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie", that blew my 16 year old ass away.

[@L33Reacts]

i wish i could do them all as albums. i really do. but youtube and life demand another avenue. i get lucky and folks will sponsor me to do a whole album (a couple coming this month ranging from miles davis to joni mitchell) but most of the time its just requests like this. and it burns me inside when i hear something as good as this and I can't just hit NEXT. Lol

[@dhfenske]

@@L33Reacts One track at a time and take a year to do it. Sorry, I'm biased as this is one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time.

[@alpetrocelli4465]

This is another album just chock-full of great music. I loved the eclectic mix of music we had back in the late ‘60’s & early ‘70’s, before the corporations took over popular music. Keep diving back for gems like this. ✌️❤️🎶

[@L33Reacts]

I always say I am eternally jealous of y'all for living through this period. But I will say one thing, at least I get to have my mind blown on a daily basis by random stuff like this. I love it.

[@alpetrocelli4465]

@@L33Reacts In this regard we were blessed. In ‘69 I attended my first concert, the Doors in Chicago. Shortly thereafter I saw a local band play at DePaul University called Chicago Transit Authority, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Thanks for keeping great music alive and introducing it to a whole new generation.✌️❤️🎶

[@mrnobody3161]

Al is right about corporations taking over popular music. By the mid 1980's record executives and managers were pushing a formulaic, simpler kind of music, to cut down the length of hit songs; to cut costs. I was in a Progressive Rock band of little consequence and we experienced it first hand. A lot of other musicians liked us a lot because we just did what we dreamed of doing; playing our own music. Our average song length in four hours or music altogether was 6:36 long. 😶‍🌫️🎶✌️-out. 😊

[@hopeklemann1]

I just want to say it impresses me how you give every single musician a shout out in the bands because it's very important

[@L33Reacts]

thank you hope. i would want my name read off at the LEAST if someone was really appreciating some piece of art I was a part of. it's the least I can do for these legends that paved the road I am walking on.

[@gillwaugh7212]

Absolutely Lee. 👍🏼

[@davidwolf4677]

Wow, great selection.

[@L33Reacts]

my patrons and supporters always come through with the goods!

[@davidgale7384]

The producer of this band was in the studio while Chicago was recording their album and went back to the band and expanded their sound with more brass and added a relatively unknown vocalist ... David .... the rest is musical history.

[@submandave1125]

James William Guercio was the producer for both Chicago and BS&T.

[@shemanic1]

"Go Down Gambling" is another great Blood, Sweat & Tears song. Love the Brass. Richie Havens does a good cover of this Billie Holiday tune.

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

God bless the child that's got his own👍💙

[@loisrogers9042]

Such a good band 😊

[@L33Reacts]

yeah no kidding... i need to hear more ASAP that was impeccable. even if that is my buzz word adjective of the week, it's still true lol

[@garyrausch1184]

This introduced jazz to a lot of rockers at the time before jazz fusion

[@kurtv4946]

This whole album is very good.

[@tonyv.8286]

Big corporations not only destroyed music but also sports.

[@stevenginsburg4990]

The whole album is magnificent!

[@dawnschneider187]

That whole album is outstanding! Great reaction!

[@harrybeaverjr3988]

The first concert I ever attended. My brother took me when I was about 12-13. Saw them at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. It was right after this album came out. Spinning Wheel was playing on the radio. Great stuff.

[@garyhamalainen1651]

I always did like this song BUT, I don't think I realized just how awesome it really was in every way....... instrumentally flawless (imo)

[@jamesgabbert9375]

Such a great album, and this is my favorite song on it

[@normandaubry]

You’ll love that band’s drummer. He is incredible and was one of Buddy Rich’s favorite drummers.

[@827dusty]

Man, we was lucky to live back in this era, with so much good music, we could hardly keep up with it.

[@gillwaugh7212]

‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy’ is a banger. From the same album.

[@jpirard]

This song is exquisite.

[@jeffmartin1026]

Often overlooked is that they played Woodstock, Monday morning, from 1:45-2:45. Their manager had not agreed for them to be filmed for the movie so there is limited footage of them on stage. Their Woodstock performance was finally released on CD in 2019. This song was a Billie Holiday standard.

[@michaelp.7893]

Bobby Columby was a jazz drummer playing for a hybrid rock/blues/classical/jazz outfit. He is one of the all-time greats. A+

[@kathyrizzi8754]

I still love Blood Sweat & Tears, every song the sang. Thank you!👍🩵

[@JPLodine]

So glad you were able to do this reaction, Lee! We do appreciate the blood, sweat and tears of your own that you put into this channel. Seeing you get blown away by the flip & the salsa & whatnot just adds to the enjoyment of this spectacular tune. Classic album start to finish -- other tunes with great jazzy breaks include Spinning Wheel and Smiling Phases, but the whole album is fantastic.

[@L33Reacts]

Thank you for sending it in my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed the video :) this was a treat I didn't see coming. And those are always the best ones 😊🙏

[@jessicalee7119]

Check out their song, And When I Die. You won't regret it!

[@dhfenske]

This whole album is fantastic! I recommend all the tracks.

[@davidwolf4677]

Music was beautiful then.

[@L33Reacts]

it truly was. the only rule was there was no rules. now, the only rule is $$$

[@kenrobins6262]

Buddy Rich was asked on a talk show who he thought the best 'new' drummers were. He said Danny Seraphine from Chicago and Bobby Colomby from BS&T. Lew Soloff played the trumpet solo here, and he has a very famous solo in 'Spinning Wheel' on the same album. As he got older, people always asked if he could still play it. He posted a KZbin video to show that he could. I had a chance to take trumpet lessons from him. Called him, got his answering machine, but I never followed up (chickened out!). Before he passed, he played in a big band led by my friend's son (drummer Evan Sherman, who plays for Samara Joy now). This whole album, and the next one, BS&T III, are great.

[@joelliebler5690]

An amazing band with great vocals from David Clayton Thomas. Another great Canadian musician!LEE if you want to listen to great jazz then react to Take 5 by Dave Brubeck which was one of the first modern jazz that captured the pop fans attention back in the 1950’s! Or try fusion by Weather Report with the song Birdland which was a tribute to one of the greatest saxophone players in history, Charlie Parker!

[@barrymuller5131]

You keep reacting to songs that I have suggested to other reactors. You have good taste.

[@theeloquentbaby]

Lee = Art + Integrity 🙂

[@L33Reacts]

Lee = Tired + Grateful

[@theeloquentbaby]

⁠@@L33Reacts ✨ Expressing love can be lots of work… !

[@panarchpete5637]

What a voice, David Clayton Thomas, a gift from the gods...

[@bassvibasics479]

Oh yeah- this one is magical.

[@AP-gb3eh]

Haven’t heard this in 40 years. Just gorgeous cool fun.

[@lisarainbow9703]

Since you mentioned Herbie Hancock--- Blood Sweat and Tears does a great cover of Herbie's classic, "Maiden Voyage".. Another amazing BS&T song , that actually has a strong prog feel to it is, "Snow Queen "...

[@L33Reacts]

That's crazy I just did that track like two weeks ago 😳

[@alrivers2297]

Another fantastic band!

[@Keith-kk6dq]

There's a clip of them on the old"Ed Sullivan "show where David Clayton Thomas rings a triangle during musical rests to show off that the band was playing live, unlike everyone else who merely lip-synched to recordings back in the day!

[@kevinhennessey3189]

This was a wonderful cover of the 1940's song originally popularized by the great Billie Holiday.

[@robertsullivan6246]

"God Bless the Child" is a song written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. in 1939

[@kimberelyanngunter6341]

His voice is like the cream in my coffee...so damned smooth❤

[@broncodeviltexas]

Just answered a question on X that asked what's a great song with horns. Check out this bands Lucretia MacEvil and Go Down Gambling. Both bangers. 😎👍

[@TheCybertiger9]

this album being such a great seller was engineered so well

[@mstewart109]

Came out about same time as Chicago. This guys vocals so so good..love how they slow it down.....I liked both. That brand is my favorite. What drew me to both groups. There is another version by them and it really picks up. Both so good

[@gmgroucho77]

Spot on reaction. BS&T are a gift from the musical gods and this track demonstrates how multiple genres can blend incredibly tastefully and seamlessly. You mentioned Bobby Colombo ....his brother Harry was the manager of Thelonious Monk. As you're getting into jazz more these days I suggest a dive into the high priest of bop. The track Blue Monk live at Oslo would give you a flavour of the man.

[@joannerichards1750]

The bluesy roots of Blood, Sweat & Tears arrangements derive from the predecessor band 'The Blues Project', an acoustic/electric mélange of folk, folk-rock, psychedelia, blues, R & B, jazz, and pop. Al Kooper, keyboard player of the group wanted to start a rock band with a horn section. Steve Katz, BP guitarist and harmonica player, joined him to form Blood, Sweat & Tears. Kooper left BST after their first landmark album 'Child is Father to the Man'. The Blues Project's second album 'Projections' (1966) was critical success and includes notable performances by members who did not migrate to the new Kooper band BST - Danny Kalb (guitar, vocals), Andy Kulberg (bass guitar, flute), and Roy Blumenfeld (drums).

[@gabgarcia5446]

I keep back to this era of fabulous musicians, composers and vocalist. Love it over and over and over

[@bradjenkins1475]

This was the successful group with horns that led to the ever-popular Chicago. They were short-lived of course VS Chicago, but I'll tell you those first tonull albums they put out were awesome. Blood sweat and tears has a good handful of great songs.

[@markmurphy558]

You have that backwards, unfortunately. B,S, & T heard Chicago recording their album, and beefed up their horn section in response.

[@sendtosw]

Best Blood Sweat and Tears song: Hi-Dee-Ho. Love it!!

[@johnthegreek5836]

I actually think this is one of their best songs

[@jonneil7169]

That was thoroughly enjoyable. I forgot how good they were, even though i heard them hundreds of times back in the day. More would be good, thanks for posting.

[@CharCanuck14]

Lee....saw BS&T in concert - Toronto 1969. It was actually a 2 day music festival where BS&T played. Some of the other acts were: The Band Johnny Winter Procol Harum Chuck Berry Sly & the Family Stone Dr. John Steppenwolf Velvet Underground Alice Cooper ......and probably about 15 or so "minor acts" (that were still amazing) All that cost $10.00 for the entire 2 days of amazing music. Yes, I may be old but I have great memories :-)

[@realcoolbreeze]

Really like your reviews. BS & Tears compiled 16 albums. On their More than Ever album ( 1976 ) David Clayton Thomas sings one of the most beautiful love songs ever. It s called You re the One. One of my favorites from him. It s an absolutely great listen and great song probably never given it s due. Hope you go down the rabbit hole for this one.

[@tomoxenreiter2441]

Saw B, S & T live back in 71, great concert. One of my favorite bands. You should check out New York by Dreams. A lot of big name jazz musicians came out of that band, Billy Cobham being one.

[@thomasrudy6132]

a later episode of mad men BRILLIANTLY featured bs&t's you've made me so very happy and vanilla fudge's you keep me hangin' on. the creators of mad men should have been rewarded.

[@joannerichards1750]

Lew Soloff (trumpet, d. 2015) and Fred Lipsius (alto sax) are my heroes. Listen to "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" from BST's first album. Al Kooper was the leader and vocalist on that album. Lipsius gives a soulful solo on the song that is timeless. Soloff and Clayton-Thomas were not part of the group in the beginning (1967). Rest in peace, Lew.

[@irrefudiate]

I haven't heard that song.. since the day.

[@louise11854]

hello dear!! this album rocked my world when it first dropped, and i listen to it still!!!! thanks for the great reaction!! kathleen 🙃

[@ohfour-seven6228]

There were two versions of BS&T. The first album was fronted by Al Kooper and had a more blues/soulful vibe to it, the second with David Clayton Thomas was even more jazz oriented. Both versions are stunning and what amazes me is the sound quality. Columbia Records produced some amazing recordings back then. Other songs to check out: I Love You More Than You Ever Know, Spinning Wheel, My Days Are Numbered, You Made Me So Very Happy, And When I Die, and I Can't Quit Her. Great songs!

[@donholl]

I feel strongly that their version of Laura Nyro's "He's A Runner" (on BST3) doesn't get enough love - a very cool interpretation.

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

I saw them on stage in Detroit in 1969. THERES not a single if theirs that I don’t like. The lead singer then was Al Kooper I think. His voice is incredible.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

I'd put the production of the 70' against anything today. Anything. We lost when digital took the place of tape. Period.

[@mikeg9554]

That whole album is great!

[@bobasher2197]

One of my all time favorite bands, nice. Dig deep in their catalog, you won't be disappointed.

[@oldmanghost219]

You found Blood Sweat And Tears !!! Blood, Sweat & Tears - Lucretia Mac Evil (Official Audio) ... John the Baptist (Holy John)... And When I Die...and BTW Before I ever heard the original Fire and Rain by James Taylor I loved the version by Blood Sweat and Tears so I have both versions.

[@pubsworld9862]

Great band! Love that head bobbing you had goin!! 🤟🤟😊

[@majorharper4087]

Go Down Gambling by BS&T with a great guitar solo by David Clayton Thomas and damn can he sing!

[@lisarainbow9703]

I'm psyched for this reaction!! My favorite version of this classic from Billie Holiday...

[@Rock_Snob]

The first album my parents bought me!

[@AndyD180]

"Go Down Gambling" is worth checking out. It also has all the styles you just mentioned. Cheers!

[@markgallemore8856]

When she was somewhere between 15 to 17 years old, Laura Nero wrote a song called, and when I die the best version of this song from blood, sweat and tears

[@rickfortier8664]

God Bless The Child Lyrics by Laura Nero Sung by: David Clayton-Thomas Backed by great band members.

[@marketingTUNEUP]

Two great breaks in this tune. Amazing. Shifts. And to think, this was all just Am radio driving around in the 70's. BST also had 3-4 other great tunes during the 70's to add to the vibe. 70s rule.

[@chitownlee]

This was their 2nd album. The first album with Al Cooper singing and playing the hammond b3 organ was more blues/r & b, this one was more jazz. My favorite BS&T song is on the first album, I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know. Check it out, Lee, I know you'll dig it.

[@L33Reacts]

thanks fellow lee. i will put that one on the list. sounds like fun. I liked all the genres they were mixing were. they got a great sound of it in this track.

[@paullanoue5228]

I was wondering when Blood, Sweat, and Tears would pop up,on KZbin.

[@patrickscutella836]

Impressive how open your mind is musically. I would love for you to react to a few things I’ve never heard anyone react to. Example: Kurt Elling doing “The Waking” a live version, live at Jool’s or with the Symphony. Its just him singing with a bass player.

[@jessicalee7119]

Great cover of a great song !

[@alpeach9480]

An interesting interpretation of a song I know very well. But the thing is, that for such a young fellow, your reaction was simply splendid. Keep it up, dude, great job !!

[@kevinmcconnell3641]

BS&T were regulars in my Karsoke catalog, you’ve made me so very happy topping the list. This is one done didn’t show up in many books, which is a shame because it’s been a fav of mine since the late 1960’s;)! I’m surprised you’ve never heard of David Clayton Thomas, lead singer, vocal range was right in my wheel house, pre stroke;( now I have no wheel house, but I can still walk, and both arms and hands work fine;). Arthritis not with standing;(I do love the blues!

[@JimFlickinger]

BS&T and CCR were two of my favorites back in the day!! Glad you take a listen into both!

[@Jonathon-l5b]

I saw these guys at the Newport jazz festival. They were awesome. Undying Rich, BB King, Jonny Winters and Led Zeppelin also. It was amazing

[@dustylane2898]

Very happy to have found your channel Lee. Really enjoy joining you on this journey! Blessings to you and your family my friend. Check out more of this album please.

[@donpardo2510]

@L33Reacts another band like this was Ides of March. They didn't get as much recognition but as Chicago and B,S&Ts but was still a very good band. Their song Vehicle is worth a listen

[@scotstevens5263]

Great pick. Love this album. My dad introduced me to this band because he loved the horn section. Try Smiling Phases. Al Kooper played with them in the beginning and left after first album and went solo.

[@rickfortier8664]

"Lucretia McEvil" should be the next BS&T

[@mlinderict]

If you look at a who's who of New York studio studs in the horn department from this time, you will see most (if not all) of the names in the liner notes on that list (and in any future iterations of the band through time). "Sometimes in Winter" is 'moody' in definition. Different vocalist (Steve Katz). There are no tracks where Colomby and Fielder don't just kill it! I agree with others: this is a deep and rewarding rabbit hole!

[@thage7729]

Should you need another… There’s a track where BST does a cover of Traffic’s “40,000 Headmen”, where they mix in classical composer Palestrina (the piano riff at the very beginning and the very end) and Thelonius Monk (the horn riff is from “I Mean You” at the end of each verse).

[@zapniles8609]

Hey Lee - a fun FYI for you. You had mentioned the bass player's skills, Jim Fielder, and I wanted to tell you of his association with another of your favorites....Frank Zappa. Yes, he was on the 2nd album -- Absolutely Free (1967) -- by The Mothers Of Invention, BUT interestingly enough, he did NOT play bass but guitar and piano. :)

[@patrickcadge-moore6916]

If you go all the way back to Billie Holiday, you're in for some real joy and pain. I was playing some Billie Holiday once and my gf at the time said "Get that screechy woman off my stereo!" Well, that relationship did not end well...

[@RedRuffinsore]

Billie Holliday did an earlier version of this. But this is my favorite version, by far.

[@namtooh50]

other songs to check out and react to- youve made me so very happy,go down gamblin,and when i die,lucrecia mac evil,hi de ho. all classic bs& t songs!

[@steveowens2505]

DCT left home at 14 lived in vacant buildings and cars. It would have been great to pair him and Janis Joplin as their voices would have blended well.

[@anthonyblakely399]

You like this song. Than you will love this: Blues part 1 & 2" by Blood Sweat and Tears. Absolutely Fire!!!

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

And When I Die was written by singer/ songwriter Laura Nyro who has an absolutely incredible voice. She died too young, in her forties, I think.

[@barrymuller5131]

I’m not sure about this song but the bass on some of the songs on this album use a sousaphone (tuba). There was surely a fleuglehorn and trumpets and trombone. I love this album.

[@johnharkness7114]

Gotta try the original, too, by the great Billy Holiday.