Last night, Joan and I had front row seats for Blood, Sweat, & Tears at MIM (Musical Instrument Museum). The musicianship was the best we've seen this year!
For some background: I really like a good horn band. Some of you know I quit college (first time around) to go on the road with a horn band (The Flippers). Before that, I was in a horn band (Faith), through high school. And early on in college, another horn band (Oddessy). My favorite bands during those years were Chicago, Tower of Power, Chase, Cold Blood, and (of course) Blood, Sweat, & Tears.
This is the first time Joan and I have seen BS&T live. While the music was nostalgic, there are no "original" members in this current band. Much like The Flippers, there were a LOT of musicians in BS&T over the years. This line-up was a 4 piece horn section, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and a lead singer. BS&T came together in the 60s, playing a mesh of jazz and rock... and that is what the band has been about ever since.
The horn section took my breath away: kick-ass powerful and tight. Each of the 4 is an outstanding player. The drummer is possibly the best I have ever heard. Everyone else in the band is impressive. And together, they are strong and tight. No fancy lighting or special effects - just great playing!
Here's a look at the concert...
I shot some video with my phone, but I have to admit that I missed some of the best playing of the evening, because I was so engrossed in the music. Video coming soon.
1 comment:
Sounds like a wonderful evening. I played trumpet in middle school, but scheduling conflicts prevented me from carrying it on into high school. I also doubled on French horn, baritone, and even played tuba for a Christmas concert. The kid who played Sousaphone broke his collarbone on a dirt bike, so the director re-wrote all the tuba parts in treble clef for me to read.
I even considered getting back into it a few years ago. Alice joined the Mulligan Band (take a Mulligan). It's a band for those who played in high school and not since, but have now retired and want to get back into music. We even have a baritone inherited from her father. His tubas have been sold off.
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