Here is an oldie. It’s a cover of “Sympathy for the Devil”, legendary song, one of the hymns of rock music, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in 1968. It was the opening track from the album “Beggars Banquet” and it was inspired (as Jagger explains) by Mikhail Bulgakov's novel “The Master and Margarita” and by the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. The lyrics are written in the first-person narrative from Devil’s point of view, recounting the evil deeds committed in his name throughout the history. Back in those days it was interpreted as an open expression of Satanism and Rolling Stones suddenly transformed in the eyes of the public from “bad” to “evil boys”. They even excluded the song from their tours during the seventies, but it became a regular in their touring repertoire from 1989 on.
There have been many covers by thousands of artists in different genres since “Sympathy for the Devil” came out. But this one by “Blood, Sweat and Tears” is really unique. It has a completely different arrangement, with lots of progressive and sympho-rock elements and some jazz parts and solos. Unlike the Stones version, which is sang by Jagger in a cynical and laid-back manner, this version is far more dramatic and serious, giving the lyrics a slightly darker meaning. Blood, Sweat and Tears recorded this version for their third studio album in 1970, only two years after the original song was released.
Blood, Sweat and Tears are one of the most interesting and groundbreaking bands that came from New York in the late sixties. They helped define jazz-rock and distinguish it from jazz-fusion by excluding the virtuosic display of skills characteristic for fusion and bringing it closer to big-band jazz, pop and classical music. Their trademark is the combination of brass and rock band instrumentation. Blood. Sweat and Tears is band worth looking into, even after so many decades have past. For now, enjoy this amazing cover of one of the most impressive songs in rock history!
