BEN TAYLOR: Another Run Around the Sunwww.myspace.com/ben_taylor
How easy it would be to just sit in the shadow of someone 'famous' especially if you're born into that shadow. Lesser talented individuals who by nature of their birth are given rites of passages all the time. But Ben Taylor, fortunate son of legendary James Taylor and Carly Simon, wasn't content to be part of his parents' legacy by proxy, but by intention. This new release will undoubtedly place the young Taylor along side his birthright as a formidable talent in his own right.
Upon the first immediate listen to Another Run Around the Sun, you're struck with the similarity in Ben's sound to that of his father and it can be disarming to the point that you could become somewhat dismissive of what seems like imitation. But if you're going to compare him to his father on any level.., please note that it's really the songwriting that is most reflective of the senior Taylor. This is the genius of the legacy that has been so obviously passed on to Ben and it's the strength of this release that showcases his writing (and singing) most effectively. From the opening confession, "Nothing I Can Do" that Ben sings with incredible tenderness and revelation, to the closing haunting manifesto, "Love", every song in between reveals more and more that this Taylor is not only his own man, but certainly has his own voice. This CD is a labor of love as it just feels good, sounds good and is performed with a simplicity that other artists with 'more resources' could learn a lesson or two from. Ben's less is more approach allows the listener to 'hear' the lyrics that are the undeniable star of each tune. He sings 'just enough' to support these fine crafted songs and never overshadows with unnecessary production just because he can. Stand outs for this reviewer, "I'll Be Fine", "You Must Have Fallen" and "One Man Day", each tune substains and enhances the legacy that Ben Taylor seems to have not only reconciled, but embraced wholeheartedly. As a side note, he's supported by incredible talent featuring actor/musician Kevin Bacon in production and on bass, David Saw and Beulah of the UK on supporting vocals and a host of notable session players that lend their considerable gifts to one fine release for a most desiring artists. ~~BD
MAGNUS ELIASSEN: Second Gracewww.myspace.com/magnuseliassen
This is another Norway import and like his fellow countryman, Even Johansen (Magnet), Magnus Eliassen is a force to be reckoned with. His imprint is all over these productions that are at times sparse, and other times full of life and energy. From playing most of the instruments to the stellar productions and vocals, Magnus allows the listener to peer into his soul as he sings about love and redemption seemingly for the pure joy of it. Each tune on Second Grace is a tour de force of kinetic creativity. To say there's really nothing like it in the marketplace is an understatement. Even with the aforementioned comparison, it's evident from the almost subliminal opening tune, "The Meaning of Life", there's an assertiveness to how Magnus lays out his mission statement for this release. "There's so much I want to say to you", he sings in the opening verse as if he's aware of and speaking to each and every heart that's listening. In this tune, he continues to explain that being given the 'grace of a call', he confesses that his reasons for what he's doing in this release is beyond mere showmanship.., beyond the vanity that motivates most.
You'll be drawn to "Lois is Happy" for it's infectious rhythms, but pay attention to the lyric and learn the much deeper reasons why Lois is happy! "Falling in Love" is an epic hit, but unlike it's version on MySpace, the CD cut is much fuller and more more involved. With several 'false endings', each new level brings a new surprise for the listener. For this reviewer's taste, you can't beat "Weakness" for it's sheer musicality. From the backing vocals and the lead sung in the pocket like a snare hit, Magnus shows his versatility as a writer and vocalist that is just as commerical as anyone on the charts while still maintaining his uniqueness without compromise. He closes this release with "Until We Meet Again", which does, as the opening tune, establish his connection to his audience as he promises to 'return' with even more where this came from. "You'll be welcomed to take my hand" he shares as he knowingly takes the leader's role into a beautiful world of sound and love, "If I don't break or bend, one day we'll meet again".
This is an artist that shouldn't be hard to find in the years to come. This is nothing short of a masterpiece and with all that it has going for it, should allow Magnus Eliassen a much deserving audience and platorm in the very near future. In the meantime, check him out on MySpace and please purchase this disc and see if you too agree, that this is one of 'those' CD's that you'll remember exactly where you were when you first heard it. It's really THAT good. ~~BD
DAVID SAW: Different Storywww.myspace.com/davidsaw
David Saw is songwriter.., who just so happens to also be a great instrumentalist and vocalist. But it's his turn of a lyric, his quick wit and his dry delivery of very poignant moments that gives him his signature. I dare make the comparison to another daunting talent that I believe you as a listener will immediately understand when you delve into Different Story. There's a Dylan quality to what David is doing here. Yes, Bob Dylan. On "Big Deal", David establishes himself amongst his peers with a lyric that so 'in your face' that it's hard to comprehend how he manages to sing it and still 'cause you to sympathize with his point of view. It's how he writes, ...plain and simple. Saying those things that others 'think' in the heads and hearts, but dare not say outloud. David sings them for us and gives us our voices in the meantime. "Love after Wine" is a genius of a lyric that celebrates the delicate balance of love with a delicious give and take between a man and women, with guest vocalist, Cathy Burton. The title cut is the most Dylanesque with it's hammond organ and reveals how David just calls it like it is, as he exposes unrequitted love in all it's vanity. My favorite cut is "For This Night" as it includes the best of all that David does as a songwriter. He tells the story of a break up and the endless parade of those that will never be the one that 'got away' no matter how much time you spend with them. It's sheer skill that he writes so simply and poignantly in one stroke of pen to paper. Another tune that deserves a special listen, "Love Inside Me", shows how it's not just what you say, but how you say it, as a songwriter. When he sings, "I watch a movie, I fell asleep, Then daylight woke me, I still felt weak", he conveys with the slightest inflection of his voice how a lost love lingers and truly feels. David Saw is a songwriter and this is not only evident in this release but celebrated by the likes of other stellar fans of his music, namely his buddy, Ben Taylor and Ben's mother, Carly Simon. Both are fans of his writing and often perform his tunes in concert. Remember the name, the next time you happen upon a tune that lingers in your head.., it could very easily be a David Saw lyric. ~~BD
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