Search - Martin Taylor :: The Best of Martin Taylor

Surely not his best?

Jonathan M. Mason | Punta Gorda, FL USA | 04/26/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This double CD set is billed as the Best of Martin Taylor as selected by himself. Well, all I can say is that his skill as a guitarist greatly exceeds his taste in music if he thinks this is his best stuff.



I had heard Taylor playing some great guitar on the BBC's Big Band Special, and knowing that he was also Stephane Grappelli's guitarist for some years, I was sure that he had some great material recorded.



But the first of the two CDs is dreadful, as he plays mostly turgid Sleep Aid music with a band that seems to consist of a Kenny G. clone and a metronome.



The second CD is much better and if you can get a copy of this cheap, then probably worth the price of admission on its own, though I am not so sure that the almost eight minute version of the theme tune from the Odd Couple in which Taylor plays in a rather Grant Green-ish mode ought to be included, or The Kraken which I just don't like.



Undecided, the only track that features Stephane Grappelli is possibly the best of the lot, but there are some excellent numbers from the albums Solo, which as the name suggests, is solo guitar music and from Spirit of Django. The rendition of I Got Rhythm is very fine and Musette for a Magpie is just wonderful.



I rather think that the 1998 album Celebrating Grappelli, made by Martin Taylor and his Spirit of Django Band on Grappelli's death, and featuring the violinist in three overdubbed tracks plus in some earlier duets may actually be a better buy.



Verdict: Terrific guitarist, but questionable choice of material."