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
's bluesy guitar and
Newton
's soulful piano make this extended performance a treat.
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."
This recommended CD is well worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden