Record Reviews

JOHN TAYLOR ~ 2081 CAM JAZZ 7889 (Barcode: 8052405141699) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the last album by British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist, recorded just a few months before his untimely passing. The recording was done in a quartet setting with two of Taylor´s sons: vocalist Alex TaylorFind albums by this artist and drummer Leo TaylorFind albums by this artist and tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist. The album presents six songs, all composed by John Taylor with lyrics by Alex Taylor, except one which has lyrics by John. The album´s title refers to a story by Kurt VonnegutFind albums by this artist, whose writings were a great inspiration for John Taylor. The music was originally commissioned by the BBC in 2012 for an octet, but nor recorded at the time, rearranged her for the quartet setting. This music and the ambience of this album are completely different from most other recordings by Taylor and might come as a great surprise to his followers. The lineup is basically a piano trio with the bass replaced by the tuba, not unheard of but certainly quite unusual and requires getting used to. The vocal parts are limited and as a result most of the music is performed by the trio. Stylistically the music is very much in the usual John Taylor mold, full of beautiful melodies and lyricism, but the presence of the tuba and somewhat more Rock than Jazz oriented drumming contribute to create an unusual sound and ambience. Vocals are of course a part of Taylor´s legacy from the early days and his cooperation with Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist and other vocalist attests to this wonderfully. Alex Taylor handles his parts with obvious heartfelt emotions and vocal ability. Marshall plays the "bass" part brilliantly, but also adds melodic phrases and occasionally solos splendidly. Taylors piano playing, which is as always the focus of the entire album, is of course as brilliant as always. Overall this is another brilliant addition to Taylor´s recording legacy and the participation of his sons symbolized the passing of the torch to the next generation, although definitely way too prematurely. This album is a must to all his followers and obviously a worthy addition to any British Jazz collection.

Updated: 23/10/2020Posted: 23/10/2020

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JOHN TAYLOR ~ REQUIEM FOR A DREAMER CAM JAZZ 7834 (Barcode: 8052405140111) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2011 This is an album by British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist recorded with his last trio with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and British drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist, on this album expanded to a quartet with the addition of the British saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded at the legendary Bauer Studios in Ludwigsburg and although recorded in 2008 was only released in 2011. The album presents a seven-part suite composed by Taylor. The music, commissioned in 2007, was debuted and then recorded a year later. It is based on Taylor´s admiration of the works by American Science-Fiction author Kurt VonnegutFind albums by this artist, with the titles of the suite´s parts referencing to various works by Vonnegut, as described by Taylor in the album´s liner notes. The music, as expected, is a marvelous showcase of Taylor´s idiosyncratic compositional abilities, which have been his trademark for the duration of his entire career. A superb symbiosis of Romanticism, unique approach to Jazz and marvelous sense of harmony were always present within his music, which he, luckily for his followers, created prolifically over the years for his own recordings but also for many other Jazz musicians, British and others. Taylor´s death in 2015 was a devastating blow not only to the British Jazz community, but to the worldwide circle of Jazz lovers, as his presence on any recording was always a seal of the highest quality achievable. The Taylor / Danielsson / France trio recorded three additional albums between 2004 and 2006: "Angel Of The PresenceFind albums with this title", "WhirlpoolFind albums with this title" and "Giulia`s ThursdaysFind albums with this title", all of which are also absolutely marvelous and worth having. Overall this is an absolute must in any serious music collection and a most enjoyable listening experience, which can be repeated time after time with no fear of disappointment. It is unbelievable that it´s been five years since John left us in the void…

Updated: 03/07/2020Posted: 03/07/2020

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