David Clayton-Thomas

Aurora

Tracks

Album Details

Ex-Blood, Sweat & Tears vocalist and front man David Clayton-Thomas is one of the most influential singers of our time. He’s spent more than four decades on the road, played everything from one-room beer joints to the Metropolitan Opera, and performed with everyone from John Lee Hooker to Aretha Franklin. Heading Blood, Sweat & Tears, he’s sold millions of records and collected several Grammy statuettes; in 1996, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Last summer David returned to Toronto to record Aurora with a top-notch quartet, turning to long-time friend Doug “Doc” Riley to co-produce the album, and spending months going over material: jazz standards, blues, Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael and Billie Holiday tracks and even Joni Mitchell material. With Terry Clarke, George Koller, Rob Piltch and Jake Langley, the pair have delivered a splendid collection: Aurora features the standards “Moonlight In Vermont”, “Don’t Explain” “Lazy Bones,” and “Lucky Old Sun.” Performances are as touching and evocative as anything David has ever recorded, and we’re convinced listeners will agree this recording shows a veteran artist at the peak of his powers.