No more results on this page
Blood, Sweat & Tears on Tour
Though they haven't released a new studio album since 1980, Blood, Sweat & Tears have never left the road. And although their current lineup features none of the players who appeared on their string of hit singles from their late-'60s/early-'70s commercial peak, their original mission — to fuse the compositional complexity of jazz with the power and precision of rock ‘n' roll — has carried on under the guidance of founding drummer Bobby Colomby, who no longer performs with the group but still serves as their de facto spiritual advisor/casting director. Over the years, Colomby has enlisted a number of singers — including American Idol alumnus Bo Bice — to fill the big shoes vacated by BST's most famous vocalist, David Clayton-Thomas. Since 2019, that role has been occupied by Keith Paluso, a former contestant on The Voice. But no matter who's belting out the hits, a Blood, Sweat & Tears show is guaranteed to be a brasstastic experience.
Blood, Sweat & Tears in Concert
Al Kooper could've retired in 1965 already a legend at age 21, thanks to his iconic keyboard work on Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone." But the restless musician would go on to play a crucial role in expanding the parameters of popular music when he joined improvisational New York group The Blues Project, before founding the even more ambitious Blood, Sweat & Tears with guitarist Steve Katz in 1967. The group's debut album, Child Is Father to the Man, was a groundbreaking fusion of rock, jazz, psychedelia and orchestral music, though creative differences would drive Kooper out of the band shortly after its release, with Katz and drummer Bobby Colomby seeking to push the group into a more accessible direction. They'd find their golden ticket into the Top 40 in the form of Canadian singer David Clayton-Thomas, a charismatic, big-voiced showman who contributed the signature single "Spinning Wheel" to the band's 1969 Grammy Award–winning self-titled album and led the group at their historic Woodstock performance that summer. Over the next few years, Blood, Sweat & Tears stood at the forefront of a jazz-rock revolution that counted Chicago and Santana as compatriots, showcasing their bold, brassy sound on swaggering originals like "Lucretia Mac Evil" and inventive covers (like their soulful rendition of Carole King's "Hi-De-Ho"). Clayton-Thomas left the band in 1972 to pursue a solo career (only to return in 1975), and since the release of 1980's Nuclear Blues, Blood, Sweat & Tears have existed primarily as a live act, with an infinite array of revolving lineups — in fact, no fewer than 175 players have passed through their ranks over the years. But under Colomby's direction, Blood, Sweat & Tears have survived and thrived into the 21st century with their big-band bonhomie intact.
Encore
Encore
It was a great concert. The lead singer is not the same from the original group, but he was really good, much younger, and he sounded just like David Clayton Thomas. We had a super good time.
This was a spur of the moment concert whereby I bought my ticket that morning. The lineup consisted of two long time members on keyboards and guitar. The usual bass and drums backed them up, augmented by a four piece horn section and a new lead vocalist from South Africa named David Aldo, who also plays rhythm acoustic guitar. David has six hit singles in his native country, but is relatively unknown over here. He can bring some really good songriting skills to the band for a possible new album. I did buy his solo CD after the show, but that one is Nashvillized to make him sound like Keith Urban, which is an injustice. All in all, I was glad that I attended.
A terrific show. I was wondering how the band was going to duplicate the sound which David Clayton Thomas gave them but the new David was very good. The band itself sounded as great as always. Thanks for the opportunity. The IP venue was very good as well! Hi-DE-HO !!!!
Older band, played everything you wanted to hear. Singer was very good. Would definitely see them again.
Even without a single original band member, Blood, Sweat & Tears remains true to the groups past and reputation for great music. Each member is a solid musician in his own right, but still come together for that great BS&T sound. I am so glad I was there.
The only part of the original band that put in an appearance was the name. It was a really bad cover band. The songs all sounded the same. The whole performance was flat. In fact, a house band in one of the bars in the casino was better. I was so disappointed.
OK, OK, SO THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY A TRIBUTE BAND. I WOULD RATHER GET TO HEAR THOSE GREAT SONGS LIVE FROM A GREAT BAND THAN TO NOT GET TO HEAR THEM AT ALL. THE ENTIRE BAND, INCLUDING THE SOUTH AFRICAN SINGER ARE TOP NOTCH TALENTS WHO DO JUSTICE TO THE OLD BS&T MATERIAL AS WELL AS SEVERAL COVER SONGS. THE WHOLE CROWD WAS INTO IT AND GAVE THEM A STANDING OVATION AT THE END. I WISH THEY HAD SOME ORIGINAL MEMBERS, BUT THIS WAS THE NEXT BEST THING
It was a mixture for me. It was fun to hear the old BS&T music, and the audience was enthusiastic and appreciative. That being said, half the guys in the band looked like aging accountants being forced to demonstrate what a good time they were having. And with all the original material they had to pick from, why include Vehicle in the play set? All the players were fine, particularly the lead trumpet, and singing was fine... It just didn't have the spark and sparkle of the old BS&T.
David Aldo is a competent vocalist but he's no David Clayton Thomas -- the signature sound of the original Blood, Sweat and Tears. Admittedly no one now playing with today's BS&T is part of the original band but the horns were spot on with the original group's sound. Overall, BS&T's performance at the Birchmere December 2 was high energy and very entertaining.
The best iteration of this band I've ever seen. These guys cook, very talented musicians and more jazzy than ever. Great crowd pleasers.
Great musicianship, great venue. I really like the dinner with the concert at Birchmere. BS&T was fabulous. Played all the songs we wanted to hear, even a couple of songs from the Al Kooper era. The horns were smokin.The South African singer (don't remember his name) was better than Clayton-Thomas or Kooper. Nice length of concert for old folks like us.
I had never been to the Birchmere, nor seen the group "Blood, Sweat & Tears". But as a teenager I had listened too and enjoyed their songs in my life. It was an early Christmas gift for my husband who is a muscian. The group was amazing! The muscians are excellent and were very much insync with each other. Thank you for a lovely night!
Fantastic show! One of the best concerts I have ever attended.
I went to see Blood Sweat & Tears and the Animals. Blood Sweat and Tears were alright and the horn section was good, but I was not aware that they were not the original members. The Animals were a complete letdown. The band looked like they were just out of highschool and sounded worse. Eric Burdon's voice was terrible. I left early because I did not want to hear them do my favorite songs. It's my fault. I should have done more research and read recent reviews before buying tickets. I did not care for Dave Mason, but his fans seemed to enjoy his performance.
Dave Mason was great. He should have closed the show instead of opening it. BS&T's were good. Eric Burden and his grand children were fairly good. They had one practice together and it sounded like it. The band looked like they just got out of college. Dave Mason carried the whole night. I would go see him anytime.
Dave Mason opened the show with an acoustic set that was awesome, but way too short. I honestly feel that the show was performed in reverse order, with the best opening and a decent middle, but it went downhill from there. The Animals were a group of young musicians that backed up Eric Burden.. It seemed rough and unrehearsed. It was the first time that I saw Dave Mason perform and I would go see him again as a headliner any day!
Eric Burdon has to be the coolest 71 year old in the world. He still rocks out when combining genres of Rock and Roll with Jazz and Blues. I felt him feeling each song he sang and enloyed it tremendously. Dave Mason took the stage along with a lead guitarist and, Man, can he still sing and play. From We just disagree to All Along the Watchtower! Amazing. Blood, Sweat and Tears had great musicians and a fantastic horn session. The instrumentials were fantastic! Unfortunately there lead singer David Aldo did not belong in that group. His songs were "performed" lacking the conviction, rawness and edge that the David Clayton Thomas had recorded the songs with. Aldo took the bluesy "God Bless the Child" and turned it into a lounge act. Total disappointment to an otherwise great night!
3 great acts for the price of one in an intimate setting- a very enjoyable stroll down memory lane- each act has enough hit music to do a solo tour. Dave Mason opened the show with songs from his various past collaborations as well as songs he composed for other artists. Blood Sweat and Tears followed with lead singer David Aldo who did a decent job but David Clayton Thomas was definitely missed. Did some covers instead of other BS&T songs.Outstanding horn section. Last but not least was Eric Burdon ( can't say with The Animals since none of them were born when these songs were recorded!) plus he said he had just met them the day before! but they did an admirable job nevertheless.
The only one worth the price of the ticket was Dave Mason. Blood Sweat & Tears was a complete disaster. A cheap cover band. Eric Burdon was pretty good but there were no Animals. Another cover band. Dave Mason was great and gets 5 stars if he was the only one playing
Blood Sweat & Tears should be a "tribute" band due to the lack of original members. This is a group of very talented musicians. The show was quite entertaining with some great music. Lead singer Jason Paige is energetic and soulful. He sounded just like David Clayton-Thomas {on helium)!!!
