David Clayton-Thomas/Tequila Sunrise [Import]

David Clayton-Thomas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Edsel Records UK
• ASIN: B0000683WA
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,235 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Magnificent Sanctuary Band

2. Were All Meat From The Same Bone

3. Stealin In The Name Of The Lord

4. Dying To Live

5. Sing A Song

6. She

7. Dont Let It Bring You Down

8. Once Burned

9. North Beach Racetrack

10. Caress Me Pretty Music

11. I Could Just Boogie All Night

12. Yesterdays Music

13. Friday The 13th Child

14. The Face Of Man

15. One More Time Around

16. Down Bound Train

17. Nobody Calls Me Prophet

18. Last Time That She Cried

19. Fallin By Degrees

20. My Song (For Geanenne)

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

His first two solo albums on one CD, self-titled & Tequila Sunrise, both originally released in 1972. David Clayton-Thomas was the voice of the hugely successful jazz/rock/pop combo Blood, Sweat & Tears. First time on CD for both, the first album features a galaxy of top session players (Steve Cropper, Larry Knechtel, Earl Palmer, Joe Osborn, Mike Deasy, Hugh McCracken) taking on songs by Neil Young, Gram Parsons, Todd Rundgren, Edgar Winter and Gary Wright. The second album, produced by Mike Post, features a smaller band on a selection of David's compositions. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars One phenomenally stunning performance embedded in so-so, August 10, 2002

By 

Frank Lynch "frank_lynch" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: David Clayton-Thomas/Tequila Sunrise (Audio CD)

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This CD combines David Clayton-Thomas's first two solo albums following his exit from Blood Sweat & Tears. As part of an effort to establish himself outside BS&T, he aimed for quite a different sound on the first (self-titled) album. The first album is pretty incoherent, with tracks recorded and produced in three different styles. There is a Memphis soul sound, helped by Steve Cropper on guitar; there is a slick gospel sound, and there is a heavily produced sound laden with strings. In most cases the arrangements and performances don't really sound unique (sometimes saccharine!), and so some very good songs are lost in arrangements that sound MOR. It all comes out sounding, well, just pleasant. I can't go back in time and tell you how this sounded 30 years ago, but today it sounds uninspired.

One BLAZING exception, which has stood 30 tears' test of time, is the version of Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down." It's scored for drums and a wind ensemble (consisting of an oboe, two french horns, two trombones, a bass trombone, and a tuba). The scoring gives the song a wonderfully somber feel (in my book, this is one of the best song covers I've ever heard - - high quality, and as original in sound as the Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man"). In the song there's a great point where it's just Clayton Thomas and the tuba - - reminiscent of what the same two musicians did in BS&T's recording of The Band's "Lonesome Suzie."

"Tequila Sunrise," his second effort, aimed for a different, more consistent sound: rather than different ensembles and locations, it uses one small, basic band. The players are fine, it's just that there are no real highs in the recording. Not just compared to "Don't Let It Bring You Down," but the songs themselves are not as good. (The first album used songs written by Gram Parsons, Todd Rundgren, Edgar Winter, Neil Young...) There's just a steady stream of "gee, I hope the next track is better."

Now, overall, I think it's a rather poor effort. It's just not that interesting: evrything has a consistent feel from one end of the song to the other, with very few accents or climaxes, no moments of punch such as BS&T delivered. But I am so enamored by "Don't Let It Bring You Down", I'm glad I bought it.

One positive: the original vinyl listed Neil Diamond as the composer for "Don't Let It Bring You Down," but now they've gotten it right.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some highs and lows, but worth it., June 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: David Clayton-Thomas/Tequila Sunrise (Audio CD)

It seems from the sheer number of musicians (seemingly different ones on every track) on the first part of this double-cd, that the recording was hectic and lacked a unifying vision. As the other review mentioned, there are some different styles represented here. The opening cut "Magnificent Sanctuary Band," is a fun gospel track that showcases DCT's distinctive vocals, some of the cuts suffer from a little TOO MUCH production, particularly the ballad "Dying To Live." Then you get perfectly arranged tracks like "Don't Let It Bring You Down," which manages to be both subtle and powerful at the same time, with his vocals next to a tuba nad trombone ensemble that includes Dave Bargeron and Bill Watrous, with Bobby Colomby on drums. Other highlights are "Caress Me Pretty Music," "Yesterday's Music," (much more gospely arrangement than the BS&T version on 1975's New City), "Friday The 13th Child" (a good simple ballad), "Down Bound Train," (which is reminiscent of DCT's pre-BS&T work), "Nobody Calls Me Prophet," (funky gospel tune). Overall, if you're a BS&T fan, I'd say this is a must have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David Clayton-Thomas/Tequila Sunrise, September 29, 2005

By 

Sylvia Winfrey - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Clayton-Thomas/Tequila Sunrise (Audio CD)

I purchased this CD for one song only really and that is "She". It was among my favorites in college and shared by many of my friends. I have been waiting years to see it come to CD!!!