COLD BLOOD
''SYSYPHUS''
1970
34:29
1/Shop Talk
Cold Blood/7:16
2/Funky on My Back
Cold Blood/6:54
3/Your Good Thing (Is About to End)
Isaac Hayes / David Porter/5:17
4/Understanding
Cold Blood/6:33
5/I Can't Stay
Cold Blood/4:24
6/Too Many People
Cold Blood/4:05
José Chepitó Areas /Congas, Percussion, Timbales
Rod Ellicott /Bass, Percussion
Larry Fields /Guitar
Mic Gillette /Flugelhorn, Horn, Trombone, Trumpet
Danny Hull /Flute, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Vocals
Jerry Jonutz /Trumpet
Larry Jonutz /Trombone, Trumpet
Raul Matute /Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Sandy McKee /Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Lydia Pense /Vocals
The Pointer Sisters /Vocals
Anita Pointer /Vocals
Bonnie Pointer /Vocals
June Pointer /Vocals
REVIEW
by Lindsay Planer
Sisyphus -- Cold Blood's second release for Bill Graham's San Francisco label -- was a shift to a more aggressive and decidedly funkier sound. Taking their cues as much from James Brown's J.B.'s as from their Bay Area contemporaries and labelmates Tower of Power, Sisyphus is a much more cohesive and concentrated effort compared to their 1969 eponymous debut. The infusion of strong original material certainly did not hurt either -- as five of the disc's six tracks are credited as original band compositions. From the opening edgy/up-tempo instrumental "Shop Talk," the change in Cold Blood's direction is evident. This extended jam showcases the entire ensemble - sans vocalist Lydia Pense - including the band's latest addition, Sandy McKee (drums/percussion). The track also features notable assistance from original Santana bandmember Chepito Areas (congas/timbales). The driving rhythms are punctuated by the three-piece brass section, whose contributions are infinitely less obtrusive, especially during the dramatic segue into "Funky on My Back" -- one of Cold Blood's most definitive compositions. Highlighted by Pense's dramatic and sensual vocals, the track recalls the laid-back, soulful style of their first album. Another throwback is the slightly gospel-influenced cover of "Your Good Thing" - originally performed by Stax diva Mable John - which also features background vocals from the Pointer Sisters. The second half of Sisyphus consists of up-tempo groovers "Too Many People," "Understanding," and "I Can't Stay," which is not only the hardest-rocking track on the disc, it also features a lead vocal from percussionist McKee. The song actually comes off sounding like an early Santana cut rather than anything else on the album. This probably has to do more with the frenetically inspired fretwork of Larry Fields than the absence of Pense. In 2001 the Collectables label reissued Sisyphus - along with their first self-titled album - as part of two LPs on one CD set. Although the release is marred by sloppy mastering, it is recommended as the only place to hear much of these albums.
BIOGRAPHY
by Paul Collins
A San Francisco-based R&B band originally formed by guitarist Larry Field as the "New Invaders" in the wake of the Summer of Love, Cold Blood had the key elements of strong female vocalist, a fine guitarist, and a powerful horn section. After successful gigs at Golden Gate Park and at the Fillmore, they were signed by impresario Bill Graham to his new San Francisco Records label, on which they released their self-titled debut in 1969. Four more albums followed over the next five years - in fact, later efforts boasted the production and musical contributions of Steve Cropper - but all were hamstrung by Graham's underhanded distribution deals with Columbia and Atlantic.
Though the debut's single "You've Got Me Humming" crawled up to number 52 on the American charts, Cold Blood seemed doomed to labor in the shadow of bands like Tower of Power, Chicago, and especially Janis Joplin. The latter comparison became endemic among critics; for although blues belter joined Field's band as its youngest member -- she had formerly been, of all things, a childhood national rollerskating champion -- her magnetic stage presence established her as the band's central force. Eventually, the band billed itself as Lydia Pense With Cold Blood, and even released an album simply titled Lydia. Joplin sensed a kindred soul; after screaming at Cold Blood for scooping her on a blistering cover of "Piece of My Heart," she warmed to Pense enough to give her a swig of Southern Comfort.
After hitting increasingly lower tier venues in San Francisco by the late '70s, Cold Blood disbanded for most of the next decade; Pense focused her energies on child rearing. By the late '80s, the band slowly awoke from its long sleep, and they began regular features on California's festival and fair circuit. A 1998 return to their Fillmore stomping ground brought out the band's faithful.
''SYSYPHUS''
1970
34:29
1/Shop Talk
Cold Blood/7:16
2/Funky on My Back
Cold Blood/6:54
3/Your Good Thing (Is About to End)
Isaac Hayes / David Porter/5:17
4/Understanding
Cold Blood/6:33
5/I Can't Stay
Cold Blood/4:24
6/Too Many People
Cold Blood/4:05
José Chepitó Areas /Congas, Percussion, Timbales
Rod Ellicott /Bass, Percussion
Larry Fields /Guitar
Mic Gillette /Flugelhorn, Horn, Trombone, Trumpet
Danny Hull /Flute, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone, Vocals
Jerry Jonutz /Trumpet
Larry Jonutz /Trombone, Trumpet
Raul Matute /Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Sandy McKee /Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Lydia Pense /Vocals
The Pointer Sisters /Vocals
Anita Pointer /Vocals
Bonnie Pointer /Vocals
June Pointer /Vocals
REVIEW
by Lindsay Planer
Sisyphus -- Cold Blood's second release for Bill Graham's San Francisco label -- was a shift to a more aggressive and decidedly funkier sound. Taking their cues as much from James Brown's J.B.'s as from their Bay Area contemporaries and labelmates Tower of Power, Sisyphus is a much more cohesive and concentrated effort compared to their 1969 eponymous debut. The infusion of strong original material certainly did not hurt either -- as five of the disc's six tracks are credited as original band compositions. From the opening edgy/up-tempo instrumental "Shop Talk," the change in Cold Blood's direction is evident. This extended jam showcases the entire ensemble - sans vocalist Lydia Pense - including the band's latest addition, Sandy McKee (drums/percussion). The track also features notable assistance from original Santana bandmember Chepito Areas (congas/timbales). The driving rhythms are punctuated by the three-piece brass section, whose contributions are infinitely less obtrusive, especially during the dramatic segue into "Funky on My Back" -- one of Cold Blood's most definitive compositions. Highlighted by Pense's dramatic and sensual vocals, the track recalls the laid-back, soulful style of their first album. Another throwback is the slightly gospel-influenced cover of "Your Good Thing" - originally performed by Stax diva Mable John - which also features background vocals from the Pointer Sisters. The second half of Sisyphus consists of up-tempo groovers "Too Many People," "Understanding," and "I Can't Stay," which is not only the hardest-rocking track on the disc, it also features a lead vocal from percussionist McKee. The song actually comes off sounding like an early Santana cut rather than anything else on the album. This probably has to do more with the frenetically inspired fretwork of Larry Fields than the absence of Pense. In 2001 the Collectables label reissued Sisyphus - along with their first self-titled album - as part of two LPs on one CD set. Although the release is marred by sloppy mastering, it is recommended as the only place to hear much of these albums.
BIOGRAPHY
by Paul Collins
A San Francisco-based R&B band originally formed by guitarist Larry Field as the "New Invaders" in the wake of the Summer of Love, Cold Blood had the key elements of strong female vocalist, a fine guitarist, and a powerful horn section. After successful gigs at Golden Gate Park and at the Fillmore, they were signed by impresario Bill Graham to his new San Francisco Records label, on which they released their self-titled debut in 1969. Four more albums followed over the next five years - in fact, later efforts boasted the production and musical contributions of Steve Cropper - but all were hamstrung by Graham's underhanded distribution deals with Columbia and Atlantic.
Though the debut's single "You've Got Me Humming" crawled up to number 52 on the American charts, Cold Blood seemed doomed to labor in the shadow of bands like Tower of Power, Chicago, and especially Janis Joplin. The latter comparison became endemic among critics; for although blues belter joined Field's band as its youngest member -- she had formerly been, of all things, a childhood national rollerskating champion -- her magnetic stage presence established her as the band's central force. Eventually, the band billed itself as Lydia Pense With Cold Blood, and even released an album simply titled Lydia. Joplin sensed a kindred soul; after screaming at Cold Blood for scooping her on a blistering cover of "Piece of My Heart," she warmed to Pense enough to give her a swig of Southern Comfort.
After hitting increasingly lower tier venues in San Francisco by the late '70s, Cold Blood disbanded for most of the next decade; Pense focused her energies on child rearing. By the late '80s, the band slowly awoke from its long sleep, and they began regular features on California's festival and fair circuit. A 1998 return to their Fillmore stomping ground brought out the band's faithful.
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