1756 - David Clayton-Thomas - Spectrum (2009)

The Clayton-Thomas pipes are in fine form as evidenced by his new studio album “Spectrum".
He rips through hard charging big band charts and caresses soulful ballads. The lyrics range from a heartfelt lullaby written for his daughter to a scathing condemnation of war and world hunger.
From the opening tune the album throws a musical curve ball... An unlikely mix of jazz, Soweto “township” rhythms and African style reggae, meld together into a delightful jambalaya of musical styles called “I Still Really Love You.
Then a complete left turn... Sarah McLaughlin's “Angel” as you've never heard it before. Bittersweet and naked, the singer's years on the road pouring into every word.
The band literally explodes into “Stormy Weather, the old Lena Horne torch song given a driving big-band treatment. "A Love Beyond” is a moving tribute to the courage of an organ donor who saved the life of a friend. “Hail Mary” funky R&B, ala "The Staples Singers".
Classical cellist Shauna Rolston joins David for a lovely duet on “Ashleigh's Song". Then there is a raunchy blues with an electrified dobro called “Oh Angelina” that absolutely rocks the house. “The High Road” passes on some of the lessons the singer has learned in his long and sometimes rocky life. “Try To Imagine” is a caustic indictment of war profiteers... The set closes with a romping big-band rendition of Mose Allison's “Your Mind Is On Vacation". David absolutely nails the vocal and Bruce Cassidy's arrangement is perfect… clever and challenging, with a wicked sense of humor.
Clayton-Thomas and friends cover a lot of musical ground on this album... each song takes an unexpected turn. They defy formats and formulas and push the musical envelope.
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1. I Still Really Love You 4:34
2. Angel 4:37
3. Stormy Weather 5:20
4. A Love Beyond 4:09
5. Hail Mary 4:17
6. Ashleigh’s Song 3:45
7. Oh Angelina 3:25
8. The High Road 4:04
9. Try To Imagine 4:17
10. Your Mind Is On Vacation 4:23
David Clayton-Thomas - The High Road

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Vocals David Clayton-Thomas
Drums Paul DeLong, Mark Kelso, Davide Direnzo
Bass George Koller, Rich Brown
Guitars Aidan Mason, Bernie LaBarge, Rob Piltch
Keyboards Rob Gusevs, Dave Restivo
Trumpets Bruce Cassidy, Jason Logue, Kevin Turcotte
Saxophones Michael Stuart, Colleen Allen
Trombones Gord Myers, William Carn
Percussion Waleed Abdulhamid
Vocals Dione Taylor, Sharon Lee Williams
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BIOGRAPHY

by John Bush
Born Sep 13, 1941 in Surrey, England

The lead singer for Blood, Sweat & Tears' first four albums was born in Toronto in 1941. David Clayton-Thomas began his musical career at age 23 in the Shays. They became the Bossmen in 1965 and released "Brainwashed" in 1966. While singing in BS&T from 1968 to 1972, he began a solo career, releasing self-titled albums for Decca (1969), Columbia (1972) and RCA (1973). With Clayton-Thomas, a re-formed version of Blood, Sweat & Tears appeared in 1980, signed to MCA and released Nuclear Blues.
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