Rock Cellar Magazine | The internet has been buzzing lately regarding ‘What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?’, a new documentary film from director John Scheinfeld. As its title suggests, the doc aims to tell the true, unadulterated story of the band, which was a huge deal in 1970 — and became caught up in some truly wild circumstances, the result of influence from the United States government.
Per a news release:
In 1970, Blood, Sweat & Tears became the first American rock band to perform behind the Iron Curtain, doing concerts in Yugoslavia, Romania, and Poland. The tour was sponsored by the U.S. State Department. A documentary film crew accompanied the band and shot over 65 hours of material for what was intended to be a theatrical documentary. The documentary was never released and the film footage disappeared. The music was also captured on tape but never issued or even heard by the band themselves. Upon returning to the states after the tour, the group became victim to the significant societal upheaval and culture wars that were polarizing America. The toxic environment found the band in a crossfire between the Right and the Left and the group suffered greatly as a result.
What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears? is a film about this tour, this journey and the discovery of the film and music that documented one of the world’s biggest bands at the peak of their powers. Award winning director John Scheinfeld (Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?), The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary) has once again captivated audiences with a thrilling story that contains amazing never-before-seen film footage and stunning musical performances. It also features interviews with five of the nine band members including distinctive lead singer David Clayton-Thomas, sax player and musical arranger Fred Lipsius, innovative bass player Jim Fielder, outspoken guitarist Steve Katz and drummer and band leader Bobby Colomby.
There will also be an accompanying soundtrack, slated for release on April 21.
The soundtrack album features ten previously unheard performances from the 1970 Iron Curtain Tour, including their biggest hits (“Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” and more) and music from their upcoming not-yet-released third album (Blood, Sweat & Tears 3). Lovingly produced and curated by the band’s founding member Bobby Colomby, this album is a tour de force that never stops surprising or pleasing the listener. Packaging includes liner notes from Scheinfeld and Colomby and photos from various members of the band.
As for the documentary release plan for What The Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?, there’s this from a news release:
What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears? will be released theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on March 24, 2023, before expanding across North America and Canada via Abramorama. It will include over 25 songs from the Blood, Sweat & Tears catalog, including the ten songs performed live that appear on Omnivore’s original song soundtrack and the nearly 20 minutes of original score that appear on What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears? – Original Score.
This definitely sounds like a must-watch … stay tuned!
https://rockcellarmagazine.com/what-the-hell-happened-to-blood-sweat-and-tears-documentary-film-trailer-watch/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvpSKTU0kak
[Thanks to Alex Teitz for contributing this article! http://www.femmusic.com]
OmnivoreRecordings
Opening in theaters March 24, 2023 | Time for a Movie Night With Barb?
New Documentary Film Wants to Know, ‘What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?’
