Search - Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band :: Bang That Bell

Speed, Taste, and Tone

ALAN L KAPLAN | Nicholasville, KY United States | 04/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Melvin Taylor's 5th CD (not counting his appearance on the Living Chicago Blues anthology). His first 2 CDs were recorded at sessions in France, included Lucky Peterson on keyboards, and were very close to Jazz, or a nice combination of Jazz and Blues. The next two CDs (Slack Band and Dirty Pool) contained several songs recorded by Stevie Ray Vaughan, including Texas Flood, Voodoo Child, and Dirty Pool. The move to a blues/rock sound was evident. This new CD does not contain any Stevie Ray songs, but still continues in the blues/rock vein, with a touch of R'N'B. There are no original songs, but Taylor's covers are well chosen and beautifully performed. He continues his frequent use of Wah-Wah guitar. He has to be considered one of the extraordinary blues guitarists on the scene. The first thing that strikes you is the speed and fury with which he plays. Unlike many guitar slingers, there are equal amounts of taste and tone to go with the speed. When you guitar freaks listen to the flurries of notes he lets loose, I guarantee they will bring a knowing smile to your face. One of the outstanding tracks is "It's Later Than You Think," which features Sugar Blue on harp. Sugar Blue is to the harp what Melvin Taylor is to the guitar. Both have that rare mix of speed, taste, and tone. To hear both musicians perform together is an emotional and aural treat. Another guest who acquits himself nicely on two tracks is Eric Gales. Again, a well thought-out pairing of musical talent.The CD is one of Evidence's HDCD recordings, which result in the best sound quality I have heard for blues recordings. The vocals and every instrument come through "hot and clear."This CD rates as a must-have for blues/rock and guitar lovers. I can't think of another bluesman more desrving of wider recognition than Melvin Taylor."

A NEW DIRECTION

howard lee teitel | GLENDALE, NEW YORK United States | 07/15/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"IVE BEEN A FAN OF MT & THE SLACK BAND SINCE THERE FIRST CD. MOST OF MT CDS HAD A LOT OF BLUES COVER SONG ON THEM,AND MOST OF THEM WHERE GREAT. THIS CD HE WRITES MOST OF THE SONGS ON IT LACKS HIS KILLER GUITAR PLAYING(IN MY OPINON. STILL NOT BAD"

SUPERB BLUES CD

HANS D HARMS | runaway bay, QLD Australia | 09/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"TAYLOR adds another dimension to the blues and thereby makes it his own. While he is less interested in satisfying the traditionalists, he injects a very large dose of originality and shakes up the genre. Like JAY GORDON ( but with far better material and lyrics ) MELVIN TAYLOR plays with ... and uses his speed for some very original stylings. His tone varies from aggressive to mellow to jazzy and he incorporates many flavours you won't find on someone elses CD's. His songs ( selection of covers in this case ) is superb and he makes most of these his own. He has a great voice and the backing is excellent. If you like the blues of BUDDY GUY you are in the same ball park, except that TAYLOR has far more chops and a far better tone."