Blood, Sweat & Tears – Blood, Sweat & Tears 3

Blood, Sweat & Tears – Blood, Sweat & Tears 3

Released in 1970, Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 (often stylised as BS&T 3) continued the incredible momentum of one of the most innovative bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Following the enormous success of their Grammy Award-winning self-titled second album, Blood, Sweat & Tears returned with another ambitious collection that pushed the boundaries between rock, jazz, soul, and orchestral music.

Featuring the powerful vocals of David Clayton-Thomas and the band's renowned horn section, Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 showcases the sophisticated arrangements and adventurous musicianship that made the group pioneers of the jazz-rock fusion movement. The album blends soulful songwriting, intricate brass arrangements, and experimental compositions, creating a rich and dynamic listening experience.

The record opens with the energetic Hi-De-Ho (That Old Sweet Roll), a soulful reworking of the Carole King and Gerry Goffin classic, followed by the dramatic The Battle and the unforgettable Lucretia MacEvil, one of the band's most celebrated tracks. Their emotional interpretations of James Taylor's Fire And Rain and Lonesome Suzie demonstrate the group's ability to transform contemporary songs into powerful brass-led performances.

The ambitious second side features the epic Symphony For The Devil / Sympathy For The Devil, a bold orchestral interpretation inspired by The Rolling Stones' iconic song, combining jazz improvisation, classical influences, and progressive arrangements. The album closes with a remarkable medley featuring 40,000 Headmen, alongside excerpts from classical works and jazz standards, highlighting the band's extraordinary musical range.

A must-have for collectors of 1970s rock, jazz fusion, and horn-driven soul, Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 captures a band at the peak of its creativity, blending commercial appeal with adventurous musicianship and some of the most ambitious arrangements of the era.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Hi-De-Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)
2. The Battle
3. Lucretia MacEvil
4. Lucretia's Reprise
5. Fire And Rain
6. Lonesome Suzie

Side B

1. Symphony For The Devil / Sympathy For The Devil
   • Symphony For The Devil
   • Sympathy For The Devil
   • Emergence
   • Fanfare
   • Devil's Game
   • Labyrinth
   • Satan's Dance
   • The Demand
   • Submergence
   • Contemplation
   • Return
2. He's A Runner
3. Something's Coming On
4. 40.000 Headmen / Interpolation: "Ballad" From 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs / I Mean You / Excerpt From Lieutenant Kije Suite / Etude For Lew And Zoloff