Shouting Them Out!
TheBossDoesMusic | DC | 05/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Contrary to another reviewer who called this a great NEW swing band, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra has been around for 20 years! I got to see them perform numerous times from 1999-2001 when they were the official jazz band at the Hollywood Bowl. These guys swing! - sometimes with a wall of big, intense sound that blows you away and sometimes with quieter, instrospective pieces that highlight individual talents within the orchestra. Not only do the three main guys (John Clayton, his brother, Jeff Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton) make a team of extremely talented composers, arrangers and performers, their orchestra is loaded with talented LA jazz greats, including trumpeter Snooky Young and trombonist George Bohanan, to name a few. While Heart & Soul is a good album with perhaps more familiar jazz standards, Shout Me Out! lets you hear these guys really swing with big, full, brassy arrangements like they played at the Bowl. Give a listen!"
Shout Me Out--Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Randy Charles | Wisconsin Rapids, WI United States | 04/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a truly swinging new big band CD.These guys have provided us with the definition of time feel---it is heart-stopping! The selection of music and the writing is tremendous. Also, the groove and the attention paid to dynamics brings it all together.This is wonderful,cover to cover. The recording is excellent as well."
Nice Album, See live you will be a bit disappointed
Andrew Luey | San Carlos, CA | 12/08/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The album is top notch, however it does not due justice to band when you see them 'live'. I suppose you could say this about everything, but Band swings 'so hard' in person the CD does not get the adrenalyn going.
Jeff Hamilton just kills you with his 'fills' and 'tightness' driving the band. John Clayton is a 'rock' too. Guess I am hoping for a 'live' recording some day.
You must see them if you can."