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Nothing I Can Do (Album Version) / Glory Box / Nothing I Can Do (Acoustic Version)
INDEPENDIENTE
As the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon, you can no doubt already imagine the music of Ben Taylor; we're not talking extreme death metal or twisted dark electronica here. This is easy going and pleasant sounding stuff, not particularly thrilling or life changing though, Ben Taylor firmly stuck in the lucrative Jack Johnson or James Blunt mould.
Taken from his debut album ANOTHER RUN AROUND THE SUN, Ben Taylor is running a neat line in slick, radio friendly pop with latest single NOTHING I CAN DO, a song practically drowning in sundrenched, laid back charm and smooth easy listening vibes. NOTHING I CAN DO finds Ben Taylor following in his fathers footsteps; close your eyes and you'll quite easily find yourself transplanted back to the seventies folk scene.
NOTHING I CAN DO may tick all the boxes marked nice and pleasant, but beyond that lacks much in the way of action. Ben Taylor looks set to follow in the footsteps of Jack Johnson as a lucrative chilled out acoustic troubadour by the sounds of things here, its just a pity he can't muster up a touch more energy or attitude to pepper this all too predictable sounding stew.
BIOGRAPHY
Ben Taylor is a young man with impeccable credentials. He grew up in
a musical environment second to none. With Carly Simon for a mother
and James Taylor as father, a career in the family business beckoned.
An accomplished performer who's fresh from touring Europe with Tracy
Chapman, the 29 year-old singer/songwriter steps into the main frame
with his new CD 'Another Run Around The Sun' on Independiente,
October 16th. Preceded by the 'Lady Magic EP' on September 18th, this
is the perfect time to discover an impressive talent in waiting.
Featuring 11 melody-laden tracks, all infused with an unflinching
lyrical honesty, 'Another Run Around The Sun' is Ben's most
definitive, earthy work to date. Recorded in London's RAK studios, it
was produced by both Kevin Bacon & Jonathan Quarmby and explores an
acoustic, stripped-down sound. His aching vocals strike an uncanny
resemblance to that of his father's, but with songs that explore
recurring themes of love and loss&;, this is pure Ben
Taylor - his own man.
"This album is a natural progression of who I am and what I've
been through,&; he explains. ;I wanted to make a record that
I could tour by myself if I had to - something I could live with
night after night. That's how I feel about it, because it's honest.
There wasn't a whole lot of me in some of my earlier recordings, but
this one is entirely me. It's the most self-accepting thing I've ever
done"
Highlights of the LP - his 2nd, and first to be released in the UK -
include the intensity of 'Digest' - an emotionally strong, dynamic
song, the immaculate acoustics of 'I'll Be Fine', the irresistible
hook of opener 'Nothing I Can Do' and the lusciously wry cynicism of
'Love'. Naturally, this level of public intimacy means each song
wears his hear on its sleeve.
"For the most part they're all hard to sing. A lot of the
phrasing and the melodies are difficult, but on an emotional level I
get choked up if I remember what I'm singing about. Although saying
that, most of the time it's a case of Dr Theatre - however sick you
are, Dr Theatre will take care of it by the time you get on
stage"; he observes.
"I wrote most of the songs when I was out on the road, but I did
3 or 4 in the in the studio;" he comments."That's the best
way to do it. It's impossible to be prolific and distracted if you
want to finish songs. You need to take your moments of inspiration
and lock yourself in a room with them."
Influenced by a variety of artists that include Paul McCartney,
Donovan and Cat Stevens, his sound blends stark originality with
ambling folk, rock and soul. Encouraged and inspired by his parents,
he began performing live 5 years ago and has already toured to
critical acclaim.
"They've both influenced me equally in very different
ways; says Ben." "I learned the guitar by teaching myself
how to play my Dad's sound. He's the one who really, truly taught me
about music, but when I started writing songs my Mom helped me in a
different way."
Although his lineage may garner attention, it's only Ben himself who
can deliver his sound. "The main thing connections like that
does is actually very positive. It turns people's heads and gets you
attention, but you really need to be prepared with something worth
listening too. Right now, I feel ready."
LINE UP
Ben Taylor
DISCOGRAPHY
ANOTHER RUN AROUND THE SUN (Independiente>2006)
Nothing I Can Do
Always
Someday Soon
One Man Day
Digest
You Must've Fallen
Think A Man Would Know
I'll Be Fine
Surround Me
Love
Lady Magic
LADY MAGIC (Independiente>2006)
Nothing I Can Do (Acoustic)
Lady Magic (Acoustic)
Digest (Acoustic)
I Try (Acoustic)
NOTHING I CAN DO (Independiente>2007)
Nothing I Can Do (Album Version)
Glory Box
Nothing I Can Do (Acoustic Version)
LINKS
Ben Taylor>www.bentaylor.com
FURTHER LISTENING
James Taylor
Carly Simon
Paul Simon
Review date: February 2007 |
