Record Reviews

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ AURORA JUSTIN TIME 211 (Barcode: 068944021123) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is a studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a great team of musicians: keyboardist Doug RileyFind albums by this artist, who also produced the album, guitarists Rob PiltchFind albums by this artist and Jake LangleyFind albums by this artist, bassist George KollerFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve songs, three originals by Clayton Thomas and the rest mostly classic Jazz standards except for one Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist song, all superbly arranged for the intimate Jazzy climate this album offers. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the fourth of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album is a tribute to the Jazz balladry and is a reminder of his work at small Jazz clubs, being his first recording in an intimate Jazz quartet setting. He shows that he is able to feel perfectly comfortable in this idiom, proving again his remarkable diversity. The songs are beautifully played by the quartet and Clayton-Thomas performances are brilliant as always. His feeling and his idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb soloing from start to finish. These are undoubtedly some of the fines songs ever written and sung by Clayton-Thomas they prove how eternal and lasting they are, losing nothing of their original power and beauty. After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to hear him carrying on with what he loves to do taking us along on a wonderful ride.

Updated: 23/08/2020Posted: 23/08/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ BLUE PLATE SPECIAL NOT ON LABEL 196 ~ CANADA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1996 Released: 1996 This is a live in the studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded after an almost decade long pause following his previous solo album "ClaytonFind albums with this title". He is accompanied by a bunch of great players, including guitarists Larry DeBariFind albums by this artist and Andy AledortFind albums by this artist, organist Doug RileyFind albums by this artist, pianists Matt KingFind albums by this artist and Glenn McClellandFind albums by this artist, harmonica player Rob PaparozziFind albums by this artist, bassist Mike DuClosFind albums by this artist, drummer Jonathan PeretzFind albums by this artist, percussionist Mark QuinonesFind albums by this artist and a four player strong brass section. The album presents ten songs, for of which are originals by Clayton-Thomas and the rest are mostly Blues classics by Albert CollinsFind albums by this artist, Willie DixonFind albums by this artist, Albert KingFind albums by this artist and others. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the first of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album is a wonderful opportunity for Clayton-Thomas to revisit his Blues roots, which he does singing brilliantly and with a great feeling. His idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb soloing from start to finish, especially guitar and organ work. This is a classic Blues-Rock environment, which in the hands of capable musicians like these ones never fails to create the atmosphere the many fans of the genre enjoy! After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to return to this album after not listening to it for over 20 years – it is as fresh as it sounded when I heard it for the first time!

Updated: 12/08/2020Posted: 08/08/2020

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DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ IN CONCERT: A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY JUSTIN TIME 219 (Barcode: 068944021925) ~ CANADA ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is a live recording by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist. Recorded at the Toronto´s Opera House and supported by a superb eleven-piece band the sound and ambience recreates the heydays of his work with BS&T. The album presents twelve songs, some going many years back and other newer, most written by him, spanning his entire incredible career as performer and songwriter. The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the fifth of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. Born in 1941, Clayton-Thomas was sixty-four years old when this concert was recorded, but he sounds every bit as vibrant, powerful and energetic as I remember him from decades earlier, and his husky voice was every bit as enchanting as ever. The carefully selected material presents him as a diverse vocalist able to handle Blues, Rock and Jazzy vocalese with the same ease and elegance. The instrumental arrangements are truly refined and the band supports the vocals beautifully, creating a superb musical experience for the listener. Keyboardist Doug RileyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Bernie LaBargeFind albums by this artist, bassist George KollerFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul DeLongFind albums by this artist and percussionist Waleed AbdulhamidFind albums by this artist and the six-piece brass section work splendidly together and offer thrilling soli on the way. Overall this is one ass-kicking piece of first rate performance, which only a very few artists are capable of delivering, and one of the strongest live albums I have heard in years. I can´t imagine any Brass Rock, BS&T and David Clayton-Thomas fan not having this album in their collection, but no less importantly younger listeners should listen to this in order to understand what music is all about. Thank you David for this unadulterated piece of fun. God bless and remember that age is just a state of mind!

Updated: 12/08/2020Posted: 27/06/2020

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DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS ~ THE EVERGREENS FONTANA NORTH (Barcode: 620673318822) ~ CANADA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 This is a studio album by Canadian vocalist / songwriter David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist, primarily known as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, recorded with a great team of musicians: keyboardist and arranger Doug RileyFind albums by this artist (a long time collaborator who died before the album was completed and to whom the album is dedicated), guitarist Bernie LaBargeFind albums by this artist, bassist George KollerFind albums by this artist, drummer Paul DeLongFind albums by this artist and others including a brass section. The album presents thirteen songs, all originals by Clayton-Thomas (a tongue-in-cheek in reference to the album´s title). The solo recording career of Clayton-Thomas was revitalized near the turn of the Millennium, when he was nearing the age of sixty, which is quite remarkable and unparalleled. He recorded (so far) thirteen albums since 1996, this being the sixth of them, more than twice the number of albums he recorded beforehand since the start of his career. The album emphasizes Clayton-Thomas songwriting abilities, which are still remarkable, as much as his stamina and performing abilities despite his advanced age. The songs are beautifully arranged partly in the Brass Rock style and Clayton-Thomas performances are brilliant as always. His feeling and his idiosyncratic voice, charisma and love of music remain intact and for his many fans this album is strong as everything else he ever recorded. The accompanying musicians are all pros and the album offers superb soloing from start to finish. After being a great fan of Clayton-Thomas for over five decades, it is great to hear him carrying on with what he loves to do taking us along on a wonderful ride.

Updated: 28/09/2020Posted: 28/09/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend