Blood, Sweat And Tears ‎– Blood, Sweat And Tears VG+/VG+

“Blood, Sweat & Tears,” the self-titled second album by the American jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears, was released on December 11, 1968. This album marked a significant departure from their first album, “Child Is Father to the Man,” following the departure of Al Kooper and the addition of David Clayton-Thomas as lead vocalist.

The album showcases the band’s distinctive fusion of rock, blues, pop, and horn-driven jazz. It opens with a powerful rendition of “Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie,” setting a tone that mixes classical influences with contemporary jazz and rock elements. The album’s diverse musical palette is further highlighted in tracks like “Smiling Phases” and “More and More,” which demonstrate the band’s adeptness at blending soulful vocals with complex brass arrangements.

One of the most notable tracks on the album is “Spinning Wheel,” written by Clayton-Thomas, which became one of their biggest hits. The song’s catchy chorus and memorable horn lines helped define the sound of late ’60s jazz-rock. Other standout tracks include “And When I Die,” a song penned by Laura Nyro, and the emotionally charged “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” which became another major hit for the band.

“Blood, Sweat & Tears” was not only a commercial success, topping the Billboard charts for seven weeks, but also a critical success. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1970, beating out The Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” a testament to its significant impact and contribution to the era’s music scene.