Creative Blend of Rock & Soul – With Some Old Recipes and New Enticing Flavors
From the opening bars of The Julian Taylor Band’s EP “Desert Star,” they lay down a bass heavy foundation with tight hi-hat drum time and some infectious funky wall to wall melody. The tune: “Just a Little Bit,” is an upbeat, brass inflected, absorbing samba-type dance song with just enough sprinkling of rock to insure feet sway and asses bop across the dancehall floor.
The band reminds me of the old but respected Australian brass-rock-jazz band SCRA (Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly) that made two Atlantic Record albums back in the 70’s. Their song “Midnight,” sounds like where the Taylor band is headed – not copying mind you — but, headed. The tune is on YouTube (on The Ship Album sampling). Their use of back-up vocals and brass was sizzling and this is the Julian Taylor forte with vigor and style.
Lead vocalist-guitarist Julian Taylor, of Mohawk ancestry — goes near falsetto but with a more seductive, smooth-operator tone on the cleverly titled “Bobbi Champagne.”
With its near-Tom Waits influenced characterization that sounds like they tried to put Waits and Prince into a musical blender to see what comes out. The tune purrs along with chiming guitars, a good groove as it percolates along until the subtle brass starts to build a nice melodic wall around Julian’s vocals and the band’s backup voices. There are even some suggestions of early Blood, Sweat & Tears (before David Clayton-Thomas joined), and other brass units of that ilk. But this band has a “sound and approach” that is all their own. The arrangements are quite suave.
More of a Blood, Sweat & Tears rocker is “Heard Good Things,” — sung with intelligent lyrics, powerhouse vocals and a typical hard rock guitar riff that will sound familiar to old ears. The song features an assertive lead guitar reminiscent of the brass-funk band Ballin’ Jack from the 70’s that featured the late Luther Rabb. The song is a scorcher. Youngsters will set aside their Cokes, and the elders of rock will set aside their Metamucil and dance till dawn if this is what The Julian Taylor Band provides. This a great tonic for the sendentary.
“Say Goodnight,” down shifts a little as the band goes into a nice slow sincere ballad that proves they can burn up the night and they can simmer souls — when they have to. What’s pleasant about this tune is that it’s not cheesy though it walks that tightrope. Maybe it’s the confidence the band displays. Julian’s vocals are sincere throughout, the musicians support is inspired and strong. The song features a 1960’s inspired guitar solo with just enough echo on the strings to suggest a poignancy that is missing from many of today’s ballads. No syrup here…just pure honey. I could hear Van Morrison sing this…just add a little Van the Man saxophone with the same guitar melody toward the end to strengthen its finale. This is a generous and well-thought out piece.
The title track is the final song and while it has some real tight drums, a sincere vocal, a good melody — it sounds too much like 70’s Doobie Brothers – Orleans – America – Bellamy Brothers to my ears and for my taste. That doesn’t mean I am undermining the song, it’s just that my enthusiasam level slowed a bit.
“Desert Star (Who Could Want Ask for Anything More)” is not wasted, or weak – it just still needs to be refined. Probably during some live shows it will develop and find itself. I hate this statement but it’s true: something is missing. Something is missing that would elevate its potential. And it has potential. But not this version.
The musicians are all wonderful: Julian Taylor (vocals, guitar); Jeremy Elliott (drums); David Engle (keyboards); Derek Giberson (keyboards); Steve Pelletier (bass) and Josh Piche (guitar). There are some guest musicians and a good round of brass/reeds players that fill out the sound of this band’s showcase excellently. I believe their contribution could be made more dominant – especially in the solo department. I see two keyboards but their performance is not very up front in the mix – that could be improved. Concentrating on the groove that was their opening track: “Just a Little Bit,” and the rocker “Heard Good Things,” – this is the essence of The Julian Taylor Band.
If they want to take a chance they should feature some of their brass in a more seductive, noir, voodoo style that would set them apart from comparisons with bands like Blood, Sweat & Tears and all the brass influenced bands of the past. A band called The Blue Hawaiians tried this effectively several years ago and Julian Taylor has the required vocal style. The Blue Hawaiians cover of Tom Waits’ “Jockeyful of Bourbon,” comes to mind. It’s their application of brass that I am referring to specifically.
Nonetheless, a cool album – good songs and arrangements and I enjoyed it. Despite some of the retro comments and comparisons I made about JTB they do have their musical gifts of creativity and originality together enough to be effective and worth a listen today. I, for one, am looking forward to a full album.
The five song EP “Desert Star” was produced by Saam Hashemi and Julian Taylor.
Website: http://juliantaylorband.com/
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/thejuliantaylorband/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/juliantaylorband
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review / commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of No Depression. All photography is owned by the respective photographers and is their copyrighted image; credited where photographer’s name was known & being used here solely as reference and will be removed on request.
John Apice / No Depression / February 2016