Ranking the Studio Albums: Bloodrock

Join host Pete Pardo for a ranking of the studio albums from the '70s hard rock act from Texas, Bloodrock. #bloodrock

[@mben-david2064]

Bloodrock are the most underrated band of the 70's. Agree that their first four were totally boss !

[@JoshRibakove]

Bloodrock USA - one of my all-time favorites. I love this record.

[@ZykovEddy]

An underrated band. I was lucky enough to find their 3rd LP in Russia, I thought it was impossible.

[@williambaxter4628]

bloodrock USA . one of the BEST hard rock albums ever.

[@jillkeithbarker2618]

My favorite (USA), from my favorite Band! I wrote a review of BR USA. It is i believe one of two user reviews on Allmusic guide for USA. Keith

[@drumsybatabamboom8022]

Lee Pickens played amazing lead guitar, and that TONE!!!

[@jillkeithbarker2618]

Lee Pickens had one of the best if not the best guitar vibratos! Not to mention his great guitar bends! Tone Tone Tone!!!

[@scootergreen3]

@@jillkeithbarker2618 Yes, you said it right!

[@scootergreen3]

Yes, for sure!

[@lifetimes2983]

His answering licks on Hangmans Dance are so..... Fine

[@donaldellis8952]

Love Bloodrock have all their albums. They were the first band I ever saw live.

[@shcaskey]

Texan?

[@boomer3150]

Days and Nights is the best tune on Passage.

[@MrDcm20000]

Great band. That first album is one of my all time favorites. Melvin Laid An Egg CRUSHES.

[@dollhaus1]

Love Melvin.

[@zoso1980]

I played that on the radio in the early 90s believe it or not! We also would play Gotta Find A Way, too.

[@710carioca]

This is by far the best 70's & 80"s Rock Prog Metal You tube channel. This guy is an encyclopedia of bands and music related contents. Expert reviews and comments without all the hype....Cheers!

[@scottmcgregor562]

I remember my oldest brother playing the DOA cut. That song totally creeped me out. Great Band.

[@wallysmith9162]

I realize this a list of studio albums and I almost agree 100% with your analysis but their live album is a must own too and Breach of Lease is taken to another level and any live Lp that starts with drug rescue announcements is a great opening. Peace. Btw, I don't always comment on your posts because I usually watch on my tv but I'm always lurking.

[@scotthoyt8970]

The only problem I have with the "live" album is that there are a couple of tunes that are NOT "live", but are the original recordings, with reverb and "crowd noise" added to make it sound "live". I noticed this the first time I heard the album and wrote to Stevie Hill about it. He wrote me back and admitted that they did that, and that it was Jim's idea because he felt the "live" versions were not good performances. Jim told them, "Nobody will know the difference". The band balked, and Stevie told me that I was the only person that noticed it! So, I guess they got away with that one. Other than that, it is a great album. They were such a fantastic band, on record, and "live". VERY innovative.

[@gregb8565]

@@scotthoyt8970 that is sad to hear - kiss did the same on kiss alive - talk about fake crowd noise - though they didn't need to do that -

[@Crimso6]

I was lucky that for my Guitar teacher asked me to go to a concert with him in 1970 I was 14 year sold. It was Bloodrock. They just released their 2nd album and were Amazing. Watching them play DOA gave me chills! When I was 15 the band I was in we played Lucky in the Morning. LOVE that song!

[@Alfred_Domke_antispace-sounds]

I really like Passage. One of my all time favourite albums.

[@davideig4281]

Passage is awesome. I have their whole discography, but since I'm more geared to prog, it's my favorite.

[@progger53]

So was whirlwind tongues.

[@vickilabriola2323]

@@davideig4281 Exactly. Days and Nights my favorite tune, as well as Scotsman.

[@marvinmartin3438]

@@progger53 Whirlwind Tongues is not good IMHO. Just sayin

[@marvinmartin3438]

@@davideig4281 Passage is a great sounding release with some good songs but Is it really a Bloodrock album? Two of the main players are gone. It took me awhile to appreciate it. Just sayin

[@brileyvandyke5792]

Thank you for giving some love to a good Texas band. Love your channel.

[@imunchienandalusia]

DOA used to scare the F outta me as a kid.

[@photopicker]

Wow. Keep the "no names" coming! The most educational music channel on You-Tube. This was NOT possible during the era of vinyl unless you knew someone with a huge collection and that was absolutely rare. Thanks for the new sounds!!!

[@rangerrick222]

I love the discovery from the seventies. I remember coming across Bloodrock 2 on vinyl. Bought it unknown. Wasn't impressed at the time amongst other offerings from other bands but now inspired to re-listen and expand. Love this channel for expanding this period. The best period for many of us..

[@JonJon-sd1fp]

Hi Pete. Thank you so much for ranking The Bloodrock albums. After you ranked the Atomic Rooster albums I went back and listened to some of them because of the Peter French connection with Cactus. Some of the organ work reminded me of Bloodrock's Stevie Hill. Yesterday I listened to some of my old Bloodrock albums and thought when is Pete going to rank The Bloodrock albums? I went on KZbin a few minutes ago and Bam! Bloodrock rankings! I agree with most of your rankings but I would have ranked Bloodrock lower and Passage higher. Don't get me wrong. The first album is great except I think Fantastic Piece of Architecture is too high for Rutledge's range. Makes me cringe a little bit. Just my opinion. KZbin recommended your channel to me about a month ago. Been an avid fan ever since! You talk about things I'm very familiar with and things I'm totally unfamiliar with. Love it! You've really helped me in my chemo. Thanks again!

[@jerryattwooll4864]

I've heard of the band, but I am not familiar with any of their music, so this is of real interest to me as I love the hard rock sound of the early 70s. Thanks for this Pete, I definitely want to check them out.

[@shovedhead]

Was able to find most of their lps at garage sales in San Francisco in the 1990s for pennies. Great Heavy Rock, great pick!

[@Thomas-wj1or]

Hey Pete! Thank You for your BLOODROCK presentation! I was particularly excited as BLOODROCK is and always has been one of my favorite bands! Very underrated, to say the least. I just recently was able to find a copy of the "TRIPTYCH" 2 CD set. (Just got it about 2 weeks ago). "TRIPTYCH" is an essential for BLOODROCK fans, as like you mentioned in your presentation, it contains the un-released tracks for what WOULD have been their last album, "Unspoken Words". my understanding is that Capitol Records refused to release it, due to "dwindling" sales from the previous album, "Whirlwind Tongues", which I do not understand, as I thought "Whirlwind Tongues" was an EXCELLENT album, and a venture into more of a JAZZ kind of sound, while still keeping the "rock" elements of their previous efforts intact! To be honest, I NEVER DID like the depressing and morbid "D.O.A." at all. Actually, there is an "album" entitled "BLOODROCK 2013", put together by Jim Rutledge and John Nitzinger, I see that the entire album has been uploaded to KZbin! I have to agree that "Passage" and "Whirlwind Tongues" were both very different from their previous albums, but I thought both albums were great! It gave BLOODROCK" a chance to REALLY demonstrate their musical abilities, and that they were capable of more than just "heavy metal grunge / thrash"! My BLOODROCK album ranking would have to be, in order starting with "worst" to best would be as follows: 1). "2" 2). "Bloodrock" 3). "3" 4). Passage 5). "Whirlwind Tongues" 6). "U.S.A." Thank You again for the great BLOODROCK presentation!

[@davideig4281]

I would rank Passage as #1. Unfortunately, Pete didn't make a key distinction in this video: That Triptych partially due to the the change in band members, but even more so due to an almost complete change in focus was actually in a very real sense a DIFFERENT band than Bloodrock of the first 4 LP's. Starting in the second half of 1972 they went from a hard rock band to a prog/fusion/blues group with still a tinge of hard rock (which I myself prefer).

[@boulderbug]

...Thanx Pete ....you Make my Rock and Roll Orbit so Cool 😎 ! ...

[@markbunton9919]

Never heard of this band. Will definitely be checking them out. Your recommendations are never wrong

[@zachary1966]

Never heard this band before, but when i listen just a while ago some hints from KZbin, it all sounds great! So, never too late ... ;) Cheers from Finland!

[@jjgson69]

OMG!! I have Bloodrock 3 on vinyl, was my brother's and I remember him getting it just after he came home from Viet Nam in 71', never heard them ever on radio and I've never heard any of their other stuff but now I have to go searching. You are the first person I've ever heard even mention them and I'd kinda forgotten them, I'm listening to it now!!!

[@frankreynolds445]

Blood Rock USA is my favorite. One of my favorite Metal album. Awesome art work. I was 12 years old when that album came out.

[@davideig4281]

Passage is a fine prog rock LP.

[@scotthoyt8970]

Yes, it is. But, it ain't "Bloodrock".

[@seanbelcher4486]

Awesome. I love your show. Turned me on to another band

[@davidtyler3116]

Wow, I haven't heard of them in years. Lee Pickens ... wow, fantastic!

[@tonytribble2977]

Lucky in the Morning from Bloodrock 2 my favorite Song, agree first album the best. Saw them open for Grand Funk 1970. Great show!

[@jackgerke525]

Eight track tapes. Back in the day.

[@haroldfridkis3536]

Bloodrock happens to be one of my favorite rock bands of all time!

[@brucemcdonald1114]

I saw them in 71 at the first Beggar's Banquet in Toronto. I was in grade eight at the time.(14 years old) Great great band.

[@JohnPLally]

Great band that most people dont know about. Saw them 6 times. One time saw them at the Fillmore East with Alice Cooper as special guest star doing almost the whole love it to death album.

[@starshiptrooper7670]

I bet that was a treat. All of Love It (almost anyway). I got to see the original band once. December of '73 in Nashville, at the impressionable age of 16. I went on to live the life of a juvenile delinquent. Thx Alice!! lol

[@Rickholly74]

Great choices. I agree. Don't know how I missed this video. Thanks. (Saw Bloodrock open for Three Dog Night and Stevie Wonder at MSG in 1971 they blew the audience away. One of my very first big concerts. I'll never forget when the lights went out at the Garden with the spinning red police/ambulance lights and the loud siren with those creepy organ chords during DOA. Spooky on the record but really creepy in person.) Thanks.

[@NotTesting123]

For me, it's: 1) Bloodrock 2. I think every song is at least very good 2) Bloodrock. A slight step behind 2 imo 3) USA 4) 3. Pretty much equal to USA for me 5) Passage 6) Whirlwind Tongues John Nitzinger, who wrote a number of songs on their first 4 albums, put out 3 70s albums I like a lot.

[@thedarkwizardroom]

Love their albums I have. I got to catch Bloodrock open for Grand Funk Railroad in 71 which was my first concert in life here in OH,

[@Nick-qf7vt]

Yet another band you introduced me to! I'll definitely have to give these albums a look.

[@davideig4281]

Nick, based on your picture, I'm guessing you're a big prog fan. If you are, Passage is the best LP & the Triptych (double) is probably your best bet. Those are completely different from their still very good but far less refined first four LP's.

[@Nick-qf7vt]

@@davideig4281 Believe it or not I'm actually more of a hard rock guy. I'll probably check all of these out though, since they have such a short discography. Thanks for your recommendations!

[@davideig4281]

@@Nick-qf7vt That's cool. You'll definitely like their first 4 then. I agree with Pete on the #1 pick, but then I'd rank Bloodrock 2, Bloodrock 3 & then Bloodrock USA.

[@davideig4281]

@@Nick-qf7vt Also, their Live LP is killer!

[@rossbrowning5201]

Used to sneak into clubs (underage), to watch Bloodrock in Ft.Worth, Texas...then seen them with Grand Funk Railroad 3x's, when to their 2005 reunion concert; God bless Stevie Hill and Nick Taylor..❤

[@fraserdawson2913]

Very underrated Texas hard Rock classic Dallas

[@daviddixon6408]

I had their live album on vinyl back in 1972, great album. Loved Bloodrock.

[@thomasconrad2729]

Love that band. Awesome concerts. You described their sound perfectly.

[@willfitzpatrick1107]

25K! Congratulations!

[@jimmiwestpedersen359]

Just discovered This amasing band…. Few days ago i god the first cd….i am blowen away🤘🎸

[@kurtkish6970]

ALSO- for those (on this thread) who know who Gentle Giant is- U.S.A. added a little of G.G.'s incredible syncopated nutty rhythms with a steady drum back beat. It's an incredible element to add to any band's arsenal.

[@gerstrootker6248]

I never heard of Bloodrock. I checked them out on youtube. They sound fantastic! Very confident sounding guitar, great sound and timing.

[@shcaskey]

cool channel!!! obscure band review...loved the band!!

[@bonesjackson81]

Oh man. Kudos for even mentioning Bloodrock! Great band. Crazy album covers! I always thought Heep had a baby with GFR gave birth to Bloodrock. Ha

[@jimmyjamm9938]

It's just great hearing Pete talk about the great band Bloodrock. When I was 14 or so I recall falling asleep more then once with the haunting Breach of Lease playing on the Sony headphones. For whatever reason, I remember buying Bloodrock USA and the AL "Not Alice" Copper's I Stand Alone album on the same day.

[@randygates1619]

A big Bloodrock fan back in the day. They never got there due. Never got the live LP , I'll have to get a copy.

[@gwts1171]

I've never owned anything by these guys other than a few tracks on compilations. I'll have to listen to a bit more, I think. Thanks, Pete!

[@SWEETFA24]

Hope you can do a Rant on the band Spirit Pete!

[@Irontalon1]

Had to subscribe Great Analysis ! Agreed

[@andyshelton4889]

One of the members of the later lineup played with Kerry Livgren in AD.😀

[@progger53]

ZZ tops manager Bill Ham's brother Warren Ham. Who also played with mid 80s Kansas, Ringo Starr an Toto.

[@xenon23601]

I grew up with this van. I’m from Fort Worth Texas and this band was very popular and they rock. They got a really bad feeling and while out on tour with Grand Funk railroad a friend of mine tells the story much better than I can but they were offered a deal that was horrible and they turned it down it was one of those you take this now or never and it ended their career. Friends of friends or friends of this band often feel Pantera was payback. But they had nothing to do with Bloodrock rock. I never got to know the members of blood rock with friends and my dad Pantera I did now personally great band of people I didn’t care for their music. Anyway vans out of Fort Worth Dallas area thanks for putting this up and talking about blood rock.

[@stand4truth44]

Awesome group!! My first concert ever back in about 1970 I believe, starring: BLOODROCK & GRAND FUNK!! I was high on some ROCKIN MUSIC!! 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶😄

[@denpenvon]

Great Review!

[@progger53]

Fantastic piece of architecture has a great video to go with it really mind f******.

[@brucefranklin6295]

Another excellent heavy band that not a ton of people know about, unless they're older.My rankings are almost exactly the same as Pete's. 1.Bloodrock 2.Bloodrock USA 3.Bloodrock 2 4.Bloodrock 3 5.Passages (different singer,but still pretty good) 6.Whirlwind Tongues Their live album is very good. Recorded at the International Amphitheater in Chicago 5 years before Strangers in the Night.

[@zoso1980]

An educated list. Agreed. Especially #1 and #2.

[@bazzturd9414]

One of the very first heavy metal bands. I have their first 3 albums + Bloodrock Live. Really a great band.

[@meleepinata]

Just recently got into these guys. They are so badass.

[@sherryraisbeck9547]

In Bloodrock (twitch, twitch)..just a little Flintstone humor there😁.....never heard of this band, will have to check them out!.....love the shirt, btw:)

[@garyjoyce2160]

Tremendous shirt PETE/. Have exact one ! Need to listen to Bloodrock. Own zero. Respect your opinion. I’ll 💯 %/ check it out.

[@ziggylayneable]

I have their first four albums I think them guys are great. I've been listening to them since I was a kid

[@lmp9726]

Saw them open for Grand Funk, then two years later they headlined. Both in Shreveport, LA. They were super solid live.

[@scottbivins4051]

I cant get enough of the album Bloodrock/Bloodrock!

[@zoso1980]

Your list, especially #1 and #2 are SPOT on. Bloodrock USA is a masterstroke of an LP. For Magic Man alone. Then, add Hangman's Dance and that guitar coda at the end. Top shelf. I've had my copy of USA since 1986, it's seen some wear, but it's a desert island LP along with the debut.

[@eddiejk1]

Hi Pete.....really enjoyed your video about (unfortunately) little-known band Bloodrock.......they were one of my favorite bands from the very 1st album. Then I was lucky enough to see them open for Grand Funk in '71.......an AMAZING concert all around. I agree with you.....my favorite of the first 4 albums changes on a regular basis, as they are all so strong. Just depends what mood I'm in. I also saw them after the "big changeover" (after Jim Rutledge, Lee Pickens, & Rick Cobb left). Although Warren Ham did an admirable job on vocals/flute/writing, etc, it just wasn't the same. Granted, I got to really like both Passage & Whirlwind Tongues after more & more listens, but it was a totally different band, as you know. Nick Taylor, after all, was the rhythm player in the original line-up, & didn't really have what it took to be the only guitarist, although it worked well enough in the new style that the band adopted. That being said, when I saw the later line-up, they actually headlined at a Buffalo, NY venue called "Kleinhans Music Hall", the place where the Buffalo Philharmonic performed, so it was sonically perfect. But unfortunately for the new Bloodrock, the majority of the crowd didn't realize they'd changed format, & kept yelling for D.O.A. throughout the entire show, which they no longer played, as well as any other songs from the previous line-up. I felt really bad for them, as they were still a great live band, just different. Keep up the great videos!

[@davideig4281]

For my personal taste, I actually think they were a better & far more refined & sophisticated group with the very talented Warren Ham.

[@ryancrowe9833]

Noooooobody talks about Bloodrock! Highly underrated. I discovered these dudes in high school around '89-'90 from buying Bloodrock 2 at a flea market on the name alone. Love this band! Not familiar with their later stuff but i wore out the first four albums..

[@nightstarmusic7]

USA is our favorite, enjoy your work.

[@puddleglumsmusiccollection9151]

Warren Ham from Kerry Livgren AD was in BR for a while

[@davideig4281]

Yep, changed the band for the better IMO. That being said, they were a COMPLETELY different group with the very talented Warren Ham.

[@johnathonsteeel6922]

Oh hell yeah! Underrated band.

[@xenon23601]

❤❤❤❤❤ I so amazed you picked my top. I can almost put that in the exact same order I just get tossed up between number 2 and 3. 😂😂 ❤❤❤ Melvin laid an egg that was written by John Nitzinger.

[@clevebaker8399]

Bloodrock live!!!!🎉😘 one great lp

[@samkeepintherockalive]

Pete, you should rank the studio albums of Legs Diamond. Pretty cool band!

[@cranky_old_curmudgeon]

II and III and Live all received regular play in the 8-track. Saw them open for GFR, 1971.

[@tonyallen4265]

Bloodrock 2 is absolutely their best album, by far. Every song on it is fantastic.

[@thelax5311]

Passage is my number one for whatever reason.

[@davideig4281]

Passage is a far more refined prog rock LP. I agree.

[@thelax5311]

Yeah, I think that’s why it’s my favourite. It was also the only one I had for a very long time. So it naturally grew on me.

[@NotesFromTheUnderground2]

Remember hearing DOA on the radio as a kid then as I got older some guy I knew played Melvin Laid an Egg and I went out and bought the first 3 and the live one didn't get USA til later, one of my favs of that time wish I was older to have seen them live.

[@williamhaas5133]

Love Pete Pardo. "Unsung great band from the early 70s." So true. I'd flip 2 and 3, but that's just nitpicking. Still one of my faves

[@davemorrissey9133]

Cool name🤘🎸

[@tomlangley6236]

I have the first 3 on original vinyl and I always thought that was all there was. Gonna have to go seek out the rest now.

[@shuruff904]

My Dad introduced me to Bloodrock (he always called them "the band that did a crazy graphic song about a car accident")...of course he introduced me to so many great bands...Love ya Dad...miss u and hope u didn't suffer too much in hospice...

[@jasonjuneau3554]

I have the first two on vinyl. I agree with your ranking of the debut as #1. My turntable as different speeds and so I can slow the album down, making the riffs more powerful.

[@musclecarfan74]

I had all of their albums except the last one on vinyl. I bought them from the 90's used when ever I found them. The first I heard was Passages.

[@jameschriss8664]

Really nice discussion. I believe Bloodrock USA may be the best, but you made a strong case for the first album, and there is not much to quibble about. All four of these albums are essential and illustrate the brilliance of this band.

[@progger53]

I talked to the keyboardist Stevie Hill for about an hour or 10 years before he died of cancer. we talked about how each album progressed. I actually like the last two albums a lot I like the tone. The drummer reminded me of Bobby Caldwell of Captain Beyond and Armageddon.

[@kennethjacobs2963]

Yep D.O.A was my first hearing them. It's a toss up between 3, and Bloodrock U.S.A. for my favorite. I have 3 through Whirlwind Tongues on lp

[@tomfisher2103]

Great review, Lucifers Friend album ranking in the works ?

[@indianwhiskey6150]

😳 background ... is it casette collection ? 😃😄😆👏👏👏👏👏👍 😎 saluteee ! love & raeally really miss it !!! ✌️ 🌹, ☕☕ ? 😊

[@donaldellis-wt6xl]

The first band I ever saw live back in 1970.

[@officialwillieg2001]

Don’t even know who these are 😅 Gonna need to check them out!

[@dollhaus1]

RIP Nick Taylor..2010 .Steve Hill 2012. Love this band. Bloodrock Live is blistering awesome.

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

Thanks for the update, Pete. My last exposure to this group was only Bloodrock 2, which my older brothers had when I was around 12 or 13. Of course,, D.O.A. held me spellbound, probably because it told a story and was so completely different than anything else being I had heard until then. But I am now going to revisit this group with an adult set of ears thanks to your information and summarization. Keep up the good work!

[@RowlandLewis]

Great Band, built my drum style on Rick Cobb

[@timolson2047]

I have the first two Bloodrock albums. I will eventually get 3 and USA. Those were highly recommended by a friend of mine

[@taimeuppe6174]

Got to see them in memphis..D.O.A. was awesome

[@tomnagel5769]

Thanks I agree

[@jimmiwestpedersen359]

Cool🎸🤘👍

[@lance98541]

Nailed it. That is my order exactly.

[@johnwinnard5589]

Bloodrock had the GFR management. They were as tight as can be. Whirlwind Tongues suckkkkkkkked.