Otis Taylor - Recapturing the Banjo
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Free Music Notes for Recapturing the Banjo
Free Music Review: Great adaptation of the banjo to traditional and original music
Hit: 4 Stars
This is a really nice adaptation of the banjo to the misic. I especially liked the version of the traditional "Deep Blue Sea,"the timely "That's the Way it Goes," and the bluesy-folky-funky style of some of the songs. Not your traditional banjo recording, but that's said in a good way. The banjo is a very versatile instrument that can blend with all kinds of music and be used with finess, and this album lets that be known. Free Music Review: Really bad bluegrass
Hit: 1 Stars
This is about the poorest group of Bluegrass players (can't call them musicians) that I have ever heard. The CD has been donated to charity (God Forbid) already.Free Music Review: Authentic-sounding roots music
Hit: 5 Stars
As I listened to this, I thought of one of Steve Martin's old routines, back when he was a silly, unknown, stand-up comedian ca. 1976. He used to pull out a banjo and get "happy feet." No matter how glum the subject at hand, the banjo would give him ... "happy feet."
Yes, when you think of "Duelling Banjos" from "Deliverance," or the Flatt & Scruggs or Doc Watson flat-picking style, such as the theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies," or a zillion versions of "Orange Blossom Special," you get Martin's point.
But this c.d. isn't about that. This is Otis Taylor (tripling as producer and arranger), with other banjoists Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis, Corey Harris and Don Vappie, creating (for the most part) the "Negro experience" of the 19th Century. I say "for the most part"; the ubiquitous Keb' Mo' appears, with his set-ender "The Way It Goes." Just a guess here, but I doubt that the "Negro experience of the 19th Century" had anything to do with road rage!
As such, this c.d. is dark. No flashiness here. And songs - a mix of originals, "traditional folk songs," and folks songs such as "Walk Right In" (originally made famous in the early 1960's by The Rooftop Singers, but in fact, written by an African American banjo player, Gus Cannon, in the early 20th century about a kind housewife who invites a peddler in to her house) - which are quite dark. We have songs about a man running from the Ku Klux Klan, about a "scary drunk" on absinthe, about a Black cowboy who shoots in self-defense and knows he will get no justice, about a drowning man, and about a White sheriff who refuses to investigate the disappearance of a Black woman. No "happy feet" in this recording!
But it all sounds authentic. This recording reminds me of the best of John Fahey. Nothing flashy - just real. A stark recapture of times past, and uncomfortable times at that. But times past that always need to be remembered. And if we didn't know that the banjo was part of those times before, we certainly know it now. This c.d. got a 5-star review in "Down Beat," which gives maybe 3 5-star reviews a year. I think the historic and sociological significance of the album is the reason for that. RC
Free Music Review: Reclaiming the Banjo
Hit: 3 Stars
Here Otis Taylor assembled the finest line-up of contemporary African-American bluesmen who have featured the banjo in their roots-blues, at a time when that African-American instrument had all been abdicated to white Appalachian mountain music,bluegrass and such.
While each of the musicians is individually superb, this album is not convincing me that they have actually succeeded yet in reclaiming the banjo for Afro-Americans. I love Otis' daughter Cassie's harmonies. She adds much to the record and I am a huge Otis Taylor fan from the get-go. This is a fine record, quite good and interesting, with Otis Taylor's usual musical prowess and fabulous deep-roots songwriting. However, from the mere perspective of the banjo, something is missing here. I love every one of these musicians and expected some true virtuosity or individuality, or a true return to the old songster/blues banjo tradition, the way Mike Seeger has presented. But, all it is is a bunch of cool brothers playing the blues- and roots banjo really well, but not good enough to brag about it. Keb Mo comes off strong and it's all good, but honestly, it's not a milestone in the history of banjo music.
Free Music Review: What A Surprise!
Hit: 5 Stars
At first I resisted even listening to this CD, figuring anything with banjo in the title was going to be some sort of hillbilly, boring music. But after seeing the great line up of musicians, I figured it was worth at least checking out. What a surprise! A lot of good songs here, most done with a band with the banjo out front. An unbelievable version of "Hey Joe" as well. Well worth checking into. It's something different in a generic world.
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