One phenomenally stunning performance embedded in so-so
Frank Lynch | Brooklyn, NY USA | 08/11/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
".
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."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1