In the course of his long career, MC TAYLOR has already tried a lot in the singer / songwriter field – first as the front man of THE COURT & SPARK and then since 2007 as HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER. It is almost astonishing that he has the kind of southern soul and country gospel that he found on his new album “Quietly Blowing It“Implemented so far rather neglected.
So be it: As usual, supported by a number of illustrious guests – including GRIFFIN and TAYLOR GOLDSMITH from DAWES, country legend BUDDY MILLER and producer / musician JOSH KAUFMAN (including from BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN) – TAYLOR breaks away a little on the new work the country rock style, which he favored on the Grammy-nominated predecessor “Terms Of Surrender” and enriches his songs with loose, fluffy grooves, pumping bass lines, funky rhythm guitars, Memphis-style brass sections and psychedelic blue notes .
In the video for the pandemic song “If It Comes In The Morning”, written with ANAIS MITCHELL, he even lets the Afro-American actor MIKE WILES recite the lyrics in his place – which underlines the soul touch again. TAYLOR was inspired by the gospel flair of STAPLE SINGERS or CURTIS MAYFIELD, which should always give his new songs a hopeful note.
Of course, it’s not just about Southern Soul.
In the empowerment song “Hardlytown”, for example, he not only quotes DYLAN’s Christian phase musically and in terms of content, but also replays his “Subterranean Homesick Blues” in the accompanying video while leafing through text cards. One would probably want to blame the minor for something like that – but with TAYLOR that is perfectly fine as a sympathetic homage to its roots.
The master himself describes “Quietly Blowing It“As his most personal disc, on which he recalls the essential values of life and does not want to give account to anyone – except himself – or explain anything. After he surprisingly achieved the well-deserved commercial breakthrough in 2019 with his album “Terms Of Surrender” after 20 years of racketeering, he shows with “Quietly Blowing It“Again, it is urgent why he actually managed it and that it is ultimately worthwhile to stick to the bar.
CONCLUSION: While MC TAYLOR negotiated the terms of surrender on his last album “Terms Of Surrender”, he praises as HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER on the new album “Quietly Blowing It“The defeat at the same time. Seemingly. Because on both discs – and even more so on the new one – TAYLOR tears what burns on his soul – but then always shows ways to keep your head up – as long as you are aware of how many different ways you are can or could screw something up.
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