Martin Taylor, David Grisman And Acoustic Jazz Quartet – I’m Beginning To See The Light (1999/2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 59:21 minutes | 1,17 GB | Genre: Jazz, Folk
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Acoustic Disc
Picking up where they left off with 1995’s duet recording Tone Poems II, mandolin master David Grisman and guitar great Martin Taylor blithely saunter through a dozen jazz staples. Taylor’s playing boasts a blues-soaked intensity and insouciant fire that isn’t normally associated with the willowy and refined soloist, while Grisman showcases a wide variety of adventurous ideas, but at no time do the issues seem forced. The sympathetic and delicate rhythmic support of bassist Jim Kerwin and drummer George Marsh contributes to the air of easygoing delight. Taylor even picks up the mandolin himself on a hidden “keepsake”.
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Martin Taylor – Change of Heart (1991)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 48:41 minutes | 951 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records
Martin Taylor’s star rose considerably during the 1990s with a flurry of recording activity as a leader, especially dates such this one from the series he did for the Scottish label Linn. With a rhythm section of pianist David Newton, bassist Brian Shiels, and drummer John Rae, the guitarist’s program is wide-ranging and has some surprises. Taylor wrote a pair of originals: The opener, “73 Berkeley Street,” at first gives the impression of being a groove tune until the quartet launches into a brisk bop setting, and his “Angel’s Camp” has a rhythm & blues flavor with a touch of gospel. Country great Eddy Arnold’s “You Don’t Know Me” has been covered by a few jazz musicians, but Taylor’s bluesy guitar and Newton’s soulful piano make this extended performance a treat. Taylor overdubbed a second guitar on his otherwise unaccompanied treatment of Ike Isaacs’ snappy “After Hours,” and he’s truly solo on a soft lyrical take of Hoagy Carmichael’s timeless “I Get Along Without You Very Well.”
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Martin Taylor and Steve Howe – Masterpiece Guitars (2003) [Japanese Release]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 60:31 minutes | Scans included | 2,11 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 1,34 GB
Jazz guitarist Martin Taylor and rock guitarist Steve Howe would seem an unlikely pair to make a CD together, but they had an opportunity, thanks to the generosity of a fan with a wide-ranging collection of vintage collectable guitars. In 1996, the two guitarists gathered over the course of several sessions and chose various instruments, often using several within one track via overdubbing. The two guitarists play together on just five of the 17 tracks, with Taylor playing ten solos and Howe two. Taylor’s unusual setting of Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa” incorporates one guitar for rhythm, while he switches off among 18 other instruments for the solo. His setting of “All the Things You Are” adds a surprising lyrical introduction, while the arrangement contrasts with the typically over the top bop recordings. Howe’s spacious “Tailpiece” suggests a lonely journey in the desert. Taylor also penned several originals, including the tasty bossa nova “Cherokee Ridge.” Among the duo features, the enchanting, understated interpretation of “Smile” has a special appeal. This session will be of special interest to guitarists, though anyone familiar with either Martin Taylor or Steve Howe ought to investigate this enjoyable release.
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Martin Taylor – Spirit Of Django (1994) [Reissue 2004]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 60:20 minutes | Scans included | 3,55 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 1,08 GB
Features 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 multichannel Surround sound | Linn Records # AKD 237
In the 1990s, jazz tribute albums could be incredibly predictable, with young tenor saxophonists paying tribute to John Coltrane by emulating his tone and playing his best-known songs exactly like he played them, or young trumpeters saluting Miles Davis by trying to sound like a carbon copy of him on yet another version of “So What” or “Solar.” Spirit of Django is Martin Taylor’s tribute to fellow guitarist Django Reinhardt, and thankfully, this is one tribute album that’s interesting and unpredictable instead of cliché-ridden. Though Taylor’s love of Reinhardt’s legacy is evident throughout the album, the guitarist never sounds like an outright clone. His individuality comes through on Reinhardt pieces (including “Nuages” and “Minor Swing”), as well as Fats Waller’s “Honeysuckle Rose” and the standards “Night and Day” and “Lady Be Good.” To his credit, Taylor makes some unlikely choices. Pat Metheny’s “James,” for example, isn’t something you’d expect to hear on a Reinhardt tribute, yet Taylor’s interpretation fits in perfectly. This excellent CD is highly recommended to admirers of both Taylor and Reinhardt.
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Martin Taylor – Artistry (1992) [Reissue 2004]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 49:51 minutes | Scans included | 2,86 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 902 MB
Features 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 multichannel Surround sound | Linn Records # AKD 235
Like Joe Pass’ Virtuoso series, Artistry is a vehicle for Taylor’s amazing technical ability. His transcriptions, particularly “Georgia On My Mind,” are superb, but occasionally his playing feels cluttered, as he squeezes in too many details. Elsewhere he is terrific: “Teach Me Tonight” is subtle and swinging, and “The Dolphin” features an astonishing range of colors, from simultaneous chordal and single-note runs to harp imitations that are surprisingly true. It doesn’t provide the pure pleasure of his work with Stephan Grapelli (where he is clearly most inspired), but Artistry is a great example of Taylor’s incredibly refined, creative guitar work.
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