It’s easy to overlook the ubiquitous Blood, Sweat & Tears as their LPs seem to be present in almost every dollar bin in every city. Spend the buck! Their debut is an essential listen and features the unpredictable Al Kooper at the peak of his powers. The music is an eclectic fusion of progressive and psychedelic rock, blues and jazz. There are even elements of lounge music, and occasional orchestration added to the mix. The album features eight originals and four covers. The best covers are Randy Newman's uplifting Just One Smile and Carole King's So Much Love which closes the album. Most of the originals were composed by Al Kooper. His bizarre Overture opens, with it's enticing orchestrated music joined by some manic laughing. Kooper's I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know is an excellent jazzed-up blues song and Something Goin' On is a great jam that was an essential part of late 60s progressive rock. Child Is Father to the Man is an excellent experimental rock album and an important part of any 60s pop collection. –Jim
this album is one of the great surprise in 68'...as an former owner of a record store. This album and Eletric Flag, were the BOMB.. also Chicago. it uncanny that this album would come up now.. EYE have been thinking about these album for some time. thanks for bring this to the minds of the our today youths hope they "HOP" (hee)on board to this great music of that time 1968 WOW MAN !!!
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