JD Taylor The Coldwater Sessions

JD Taylor
The Coldwater Sessions
VizzTone

JD Taylor is a triple threat as a singer, harmonica player, and songwriter. Formerly a member (for 25 years) of the band Little Boys Blue, "The Coldwater Sessions" is his first solo album. He brings a bunch of influences from Jimmy Reed, Junior wells to Memphis soul. Among the musicians backing him are guitarists John Hay and Landon Stone, bass guitarist Matthew Wilson, drummer Danny Banks, keyboardist Rev. Charles Hodges, brass player Mark Franklin, and saxophonist Art Edmaiston. Kevin Houston, who recorded this and co-produced it added percussion, Joe Restivo and Zack Lees each guest on guitar on a track, Mikey Junior plays harmonica on one song, and members of Southern Avenue add backing vocals.

Taylor establishes himself as a singer of nuance and passion quickly on the Jimmy Reed-styled lazy shuffle "Get Me Where You Want Me," and the funky "Ooh Wee." The latter number is built around the guitar riff of Junior Wells "Messing With the Kid," and there is a nod to Wells in Taylor's singing here. His harmonica skills are evident on both these tracks, whether the full-bodied amplified harmonica on "Get Me Where," and the warbling playing on the latter number, which also sports two crisp guitar solos with strong horn riffing in the background. Then Taylor follows up with the Memphis styled soul of "Nothing Left to Stay," sung with warmth and heartfelt emotion. Another convincing slice of deep soul is "At First Glance."

There is also a funky Chicago-styled blues, the easy rocking shuffle, "By All Means" which features Joe Restivo's solid, straight-forward guitar. Landon Stone sparkles on guitar on both the funky, "It Ain't Real Deal," and the quick-paced shuffle "Hanging On." There is another lazy Jimmy Reed styled shuffle, "Honey Honey Baby," where Taylor channels Reed as a singer and harmonica player. Mikey Junior wrote, added harmonica, and shared the vocal on the blues he penned, "Anastasia," an atmospheric performance.

Closing this release is "The Coldwater Swing" is a high stepping instrumental that may evoke the theme from The American Bandstand TV show. It features superb guitar from Zach Lees and Jon Hay and sterling harmonica. It is a splendid finale to a superlative album of first-rate blues and soul music.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here is a video of a 2019 performance involving JD Taylor.

Tad Robinson Real Street

Tad Robinson

Real Street

Severn Records

Tad Robinson's new album of blue-eyed soul, "Real Street" was recorded at Memphis' Electraphonic Recording and recorded by Scott Bomar, leader of the acclaimed Memphis soul band, The Bo-Keys. Robinson's vocals and harmonica are vocals and harmonica are backed by the legendary Hi Rhythm section of Charles Hodges – Hammond organ; Leroy Hodges – bass; and Howard Grimes – drums. They are augmented by Joe Restivo – guitar; Kevin Anker – Wurlitzer electric piano; Marc Franklin – trumpet; Kirk Smothers – sax; and Devin B. Thompson – background vocals.

Robinson and his band do an excellent job of recreating the classic Hi Records sound. Robinson and friends have contributed several choice originals, and they interpret songs from George Jackson, Roy Orbison, David Gate, and others. Certainly, an original like "Changes" with chugging rhythms comes off like a cover of a classic Syl Johnson number. Its memorable lyrics are about friends one has trusted have let you down, and then only love can help you negotiate the changes. There is a marvelous heartfelt rendition of a George Jackson soul ballad, "Search Your Heart," where Robinson pleads for his woman not to put him in misery. Robinson adds down-home harp on "Love in the Neighborhood." "Wishing Well Blues" is a soulful blues about his woman leaving set against this terrific rhythm section with biting guitar, punchy horns, orchestral organ, and a touch of harmonica.

Robinson takes the old Roy Orbison ballad, "You Got It," and transforms it into deep southern soul in a fashion that Otis Clay or Syl Johnson may have done it. Then there is a similar transformation of Bread's hit."Make It With You," by David Gates, into a classic Hi Records styled performance. Superbly backed by this terrific studio band and sung so fervently by Robinson, "Real Street" is a gem of contemporary Memphis-styled soul.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is Tad Robinson performing "Love in the Neighborhood" from this CD.