Customer Reviews

Best of Cold Blood

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought their first album in 1969 because I was impressed with the photo on the back cover. I thought to myself; "these people look like they rock!" Boy, was I in for the surprise of my life.They turned out to be the best band I have ever heard. I have been a fan ever since.

I would go to record stores regularly just to find thier latest releases. After 1976; all I could find were "used" copies of previously released albums. The release of this CD gives me hope; as I will be eagerly awaiting "The Best of COLD BLOOD, II".

Neither Janis Joplin or Genya Ravan (of Ten Wheel Drive)can compare to Lydia Pense. She is the best! Thier drummers; Sandy (the fastest) and Gaylord (the funkiest). Without a doubt, one of the meanest bassists in the industry; Rod Ellicott pumped the "blood" in COLD BLOOD. Raul's keyboards take you from church to honky-tonk. Michael Sasaki and Larry Field are both underated guitarists. And then there's the brass. What more can I say. Cold Blood is "THE ONLY BAND!"

I left a review about the Best of ColdBlood about a year ago. I am the son of the original drummer of ColdBlood Sandy McKee(Cecil Stoltie). I was very surprised to see the import of First Taste of Sin out. The music of this band is amazing. They played so well together and loved their music more than anything. Since my fathers death I have been trying to find more of the music and am very glad to see this being released. I know he would love to have a pair of sticks in his hands again and singing with, in my eyes, one of the greatest bands to ever play the bay area.

I waited so long and I feared I would never hear ColdBlood on CD. But I had an advantage. Being a musician and drummer I became aware of them long back in '69 or '70 when a drummer friend played that first album - like sounds from heaven, but I forgot. The 'best of' has so many great songs, but one always mourns for what was left out. Every once in a while a magic moment comes that you can never forget. One came for me when I heard 'Shop Talk' and 'Funky On My Back' back to back on an underground radio station in 1971. I was floored. Who in the Hell is that? ColdBlood! Now I remembered. And that drummer (Sandy McKee)! One of the funkiest stickmen, ever! "Sandy, Where did you come up with all that stuff way back in '71"? I had to have everything I could lay my hands on, and I did - all the records. But Sandy, why did you leave? I wanted to steal more of your licks! "Sisyphus", my favorite, a possibility? Hearing "Shop Talk" and "Too Many People" in Cd clarity? I thought there was no hope, but ... could it be? Many many thanks to those who brought us Vol. 1. And I haven't even mentioned Lydia Pense who I've been in love with all these years. Oh, but for a time machine to take us back to 'the day'. I would love to have seen them LIVE! Like the liner notes talk about - 1968 and CB and Lydia doin' her James Brown thing. But we have the next best thing to a time machine, music, especially the underappreciated sound of ColdBlood doin' it to death. More, more, more - Please! Love ya, Lydia, Sandy, Raul, et. al./// Rupert Walden

I have all the Cold Blood albums, and this collection is the best of the best. Almost all the first album's material is on here. This album was their biggest seller. And, almost all of their third album "First Taste of Sin" is on here. Note that this third album was produced by none other than Donny Hathaway -- producer, arranger, vocalist, pianist extraordinaire. The mix is excellent! After you hear these cuts, you'll want the entire Cold Blood catalog on CD. Because even though this CD is the best of the best, their other albums have some absolutely incredible cuts on them. Your Good Thing and Shop Talk on Sisyphus, Feel So Bad on Thriller, Just Like Sunshine on Lydia...I could go on and on and on... But in the end, there is NO female vocalist like Lydia. She puts Janis Joplin ABSOLUTELY TO SHAME. It's a crime she soared to fame and Lydia didn't. Better yet, this band puts Janis's to TOTAL shame. And best of all, this music is SOUL, R&B, FUNK, LATIN TINGED feel good music. Not depressing, sloppy garage band work like Janis's efforts. I really don't know why I even compare it to Janie, with exception of the screaming, throaty, gutsy force of Lydia belting out the tunes. BUY IT, you won't be disappointed.

My coming of age in Oregon coincided with the emergence of some FM radio stations playing "underground" music and that's where I first heard "Funky on My Back" and Lydia Pense's unbelievable voice. I bought the album and instantly understood what a "tight" band was; I don't think I've heard one as good since. My copy of Sisyphus was warped by the sun 20 years ago and I've been looking for a ColdBlood CD since then.

Anyone who doesn't know this band should listen to it ONE TIME, and you'll be hooked. Where are they now? Why isn't Lydia getting her 12th Grammy by now? What happened to her? Did the rest of them hook up with other band? Anyone with any info, I'd love to hear it.

I have not heard 'Cold Blood' since the early 70's. When I saw this CD I had to have it. As soon as I put it on and heard the first opening bars of "I Just Want to Make Love to You," The vision replayed in my head the night I saw them at the Santa Rosa
Fair Grounds with Elvin Bishop.

When Lydia Pense's voice came through the speakers, I could see her again... On stage in her crushed, red, velvet bellbottoms shaking her hips as she clutched the microphone with both hands and belted out in her Janis Joplin esk voice... I admit here that I have always just wanted to make love to her!

This CD will get you blood running HOT and NOT cold, trust me.

This album has much of the essential Cold Blood, one of the best but underappreciated bands to come out of San Francisco in the 60s. There are certainly some outstanding performances on this CD -- You Had to Know in particular -- but much like the Grateful Dead, you can only get the full impact of how good Cold Blood was at a live show. These guys -- and lady -- could rock. With Lydia Pense and those horns going all out on a good night....it doesn't get any better. I'd love to see more Cd collections of their music.

A friend of mind discovered this band several years ago when plowing the bins at a used record store. Reading the album cover he saw there were horns and decided to give it a go.

I suppose this band faded into oblivion because, like Tower of Power, they get no airplay, and unlike TOP, are no longer around to create a new fan base. It's a shame because every person I have ever played ColdBlood and TOP for has become a fan.

Lydia Pense is simply an astounding vocalist, and deserves to occupy a place with Janice Joplin and Aretha Franklin.

Funny how, with this big revival of the 70's we get to hear disco again, instead of the great horn bands

I was turned on to Cold Blood in the mid 70's by musicians in a band I was in that were far more aware of what was truly great than I was at the time; I am so grateful they did that. I found Sisyphus in a used records bin and that record means the most to me of their catalog - it contains mainly original songs which was a departure for them. I'm happy that Funky On My Back is on this greatest hits CD, but I definitely want to see Your Good Thing released on CD as well. Lydia Pense is one of the greatest rock/blues vocalists ever. I don't think the comparisons to Janis Joplin are really necessary now; they both have a secure place in rock history and are unique creatures that have provided us with plenty of jaw-dropping pleasurable moments. The musicianship, production values, and creative arrangements of Cold Blood also must be applauded. Please, I hope someone with the power to release their full catalog on CD will do so. I hope Lydia will perform more so that we all can have the benefit of hearing her live.

I first heard Cold Blood on a bus ride to Michigan with my high school swim team. We won the meet, but what was more important was that I had been exposed to one of the best bands that I have ever heard. Lydia Pense puts virtually every singer of yesterday and today to shame with her heartfelt performances. The band, if you read the credits to the original albums(how I wish they would be released on CD), was part of many of the ensuing SF brass bands, including Tower of Power. I used to have fights with the guy who turned me on to Cold Blood about who was better, CB or TofP, but in time it has to be said that they are both classic blues based brass bands. Anything to compare them with today? Only Southside Johnny, a pale comparison. This CD should be in every collection of rock and roll.