Customer Reviews

In Concert: A Musical Biography

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I remember the first time I heard David Clayton Thomas, in 1969, when Blood, Sweat and Tears' self-titled second album was released. That album boasted such classics as And When I Die, Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy. When I heard Thomas's bluesy voice on Spinning Wheel, I was hooked -- at age 12, Blood, Sweat and Tears was the first LP I ever purchased. A year or so later I saw BS&T perform Lucretia MacEvil on Ed Sullivan and subsequently bought their third album.

Now, nearly forty years later, when I heard Thomas had recorded this live CD without BS&T, assembling an 11-piece band behind him -- including Doug Riley on keyboards and Bruce Cassidy on trumpet --and saw the set list, I easily, if not eagerly, laid out my $18. With high expectations, I inserted the disc into my PC and waited for the show to start. I was not disappointed. Most of the essentials from his tenure with BS&T are here, and in extended format, but all of them receive new treatment, including one of my favorites, the Billy Holiday-penned God Bless the Child, Jon Hendricks' Gimme That Wine, and Thomas's own Go Down Gamblin'. New tunes that won't disappoint include Me & Amaretto, a fun tune with calypso roots, the blues-flavored Self-Centered Woman, the funked-up Wild Women & Po' Boys, and the melancholy Don't Explain. The set concludes with the hauntingly melodic You're the One.

The band is tight, D.C. is in great voice, and the mix is outstanding. If you enjoy Blood, Sweat and Tears, this is a must have for your collection; if you've never heard BS&T or David Clayton Thomas, you're in for a real treat -- Thomas has a real affinity for a live audience and his voice is made to sing the blues.

Highly Recommended.

If you like any of Blood, Sweat & Tears and David Clayton Thomas then just buy it. You won't be disappointed. The only problem with the recording was when the alto player did a solo on Lucretia MacEvil, the sound guy didn't turn his mic on or he did not have a bug mic. Apart from that, it's a good concert and the gospel thing at the end is ok too.

I have enjoyed David Clayton Thomas since I first heard Blood Sweat and Tears. It is great to hear him on this live album performing familiar music and other material. I really enjoyed the blues tunes and the BS & T arrangements. Wish I could have been there in person.