• JBSRV
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  • From: Colorado Springs-Colorado
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Topic: Melvin Taylor

I'm listening to Pandora (my Joe Bonamassa channel) and this guy keeps popping up... Melvin Taylor and his Slack Band.

The description says he's big in the UK, but just coming up here in the US.

He really sounds great... I'm listening to "Right Place, Wrong Time" right now and WOW what a voice. cool

Anyway, has anybody ever heard of him? Maybe I'm ignorant, but I've never heard any of his stuff.

-E

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
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Re: Melvin Taylor

I was wondering just the other day if his name would ever pop up on this forum, and there it is.

I heard a track by him in bar in Belgium and had to ask the barman who the hell it was! He recorded some of his early stuff in France I think and had more success touring Europe initally than in the USA. He is an astounding player of the blues. Great voice and when he hits the wah-wah, like, watch out. On his earlier albums it was mostly covers and there was a lack of original material. I haven't heard of him for a while. I just thought he was plugging away in the States.

Isn't he based out of Chicago? Don't know for sure. Most of the stuff I have from his is from the 90's. Shame a talent like him isn't more known.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • Curby
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Re: Melvin Taylor

He's got a few albums on iTunes - the first two are great blues offerings from the 90's and the third, released in '07, that's a Gospel recording. 
I'm wonderin' how Melvin stayed under the radar.  I'm listening to the title song off his Dirty Pool album and am a little slack-jawed as I typed this.  Thanks JBSRV for mentioning him - unbelieveable talent.

4 Reply by bigjeffjones (edited by bigjeffjones 2009-02-24 16:59:33)

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
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Re: Melvin Taylor

Oh YEAH! www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4712

fixed link?

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

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  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
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Re: Melvin Taylor

I have the CD - Rendezvous with the Blues- from 2002.

I bought it without listening after reading very good reviews but I must admit I never play it anymore, didn't like it that much. Sounds too "thin"to me, very personal I know!
I'm more for the heavier blues, bluesrock.
Give it another listen tonight, maybe change my opinion.

Andre Wittebroek

  • Curby
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Re: Melvin Taylor

Andre,

The album you mention wasn't what's being offered on itunes.  The two albums  I got are Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band, self-titled (10-25-95) and Melvin Taylor's Dirty Pool (8-12-97).  Both have that Chicago blues sound that's slightly jazzy.  Maybe that's the problem - his music is more funky, similar to Robert Cray on some songs and doesn't possess a strong rock undercurrent.  The technique and sound though is high-end blues in my opinion.

  • From: Netherlands.
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Re: Melvin Taylor

I agree that he is very good but it's a matter of taste. There are thousands of good musicians but why do you like this one and not that one...................

All your own taste.

Andre Wittebroek

  • Curby
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Re: Melvin Taylor

Amen to your observation, Andre.  Normally that Chicago sound isn't always my cup of tea, but I've come to appreciate technique over flash more these days.  Plus, I really love a jazz/soul/funk flavor to my blues.  I love the rock side of the blues too, an example would be the band no one here seems interested in, the JP Blues Band.  Their song, "Love Ain't Going Nowhere" is very Joe-ish and the bass player reminds me a lot of Eric Czar.

  • From: West Yorkshire, England
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Re: Melvin Taylor

I've got a couple of his cds. I really like the one with Texas Flood on. We saw him play at the Burnley festival a few years back, he did get a bit over twiddly, if you know what I mean but enjoyed the gig.

Tripsy smile

  • JBSRV
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Re: Melvin Taylor

Curby wrote:

   Thanks JBSRV for mentioning him - unbelieveable talent.

No problem. Glad you like him. I'm listening to more now and it really is good stuff. I'll say it again... WHAT A VOICE!!!!!


-E

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
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Re: Melvin Taylor

bigjeffjones wrote:

Oh YEAH! www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4712

fixed link?

Sorry bout that.

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

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12 Reply by Curby (edited by Curby 2009-02-24 21:49:03)

  • Curby
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Re: Melvin Taylor

Hmmm.... thanks for the post, Jeff.  Looks like the new thread's playing out similar to the old one.  Is this the musical version of Creole or Cajun?  I suppose it is.  I for one like all forms of the blues - depending on the mood I'm in, but that's just me.  Certainly everyone's entitled to their likes and dislikes.

13 Reply by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-02-24 20:52:41)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
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Re: Melvin Taylor

Melvin Taylor with 12 year old Alex Sciglio - "Voodoo Child"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXP1qELH5T4

Roy

Joe is the Best!