?1970 was a really good year for Blood, Sweat & Tears. The colourful, distinguished group was awarded a Grammy® in the categories “Album of the Year”, “Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance”, and “Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)“.
The concept of merging jazz, blues and arrangements of classical themes worked well, with music journalist Leonard Feather commenting that “it brought music into rock”.
Everything seemed to be allowed – as long as it sounded good: almost spontaneously, it seems, the musicians develop a somewhat boozy, cheery “Hi-De-Ho” happening out of synthetically created chivalric fanfares, or conjure up a medieval scenario (“The Battle”) with the archaic sound of a harpsichord and solo voice. That caustic big-band soul (“Lucrezia MacEvil”) and seemingly familiar rock songs (“Fire And Rain”) find their niche here fits in with the free spirit of this third album, which boasts no otherwise specified title. One listens to this disc, wondering what surprise is in store in the next beat, the next phrase, the next number. And there is a wonderfully liberating feeling in knowing that nothing is a ‘must’ but all is allowed.

Recording: 1970 by Roy Halee
Production: Bobby Colomby and Roy Halee

David Clayton-Thomas – lead vocals
Bobby Colomby – drums, percussion, vocals
Jim Fielder – bass
Dick Halligan – organ, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, celeste, trombone, flute, alto flute, baritone horn, vocals
Jerry Hyman – trombone, bass trombone, recorder
Steve Katz – guitar, harmonica, lead vocals on “The Battle”
Fred Lipsius – alto saxophone, piano, electric piano, music box, vocals
Lew Soloff – trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
Chuck Winfield – trumpet, flugelhorn