Customer Reviews

Artistry

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As anyone who has listened to at least a handful of SACD discs can tell you, all SACDs are not created equal. In fact, contrary to popular belief, the SACD logo does not guarantee a quality recording or dramatically improved audio experience over their 16-bit CD counterparts. (Neither does the DVD-Audio logo, for that matter). However, there are those SACDs that stand above the fray and prove that this format, however feebly marketed and implemented, does have merit and should remain a viable entity, hopefully to one day make the transition into the mainstream whereby a consumer simply buys a CD that just happens to be an SACD (or DVD-A). The subject of this review is just such a recording.

Upon receiving the Martin Taylor SACD Artistry, I was fully prepared to hate it. Oh, I had a feeling it would sound good, but I just knew it wasn't really my style of music. In fact, as I write this, it's playing in the background and I do feel a slight tug at my eyelids, but the sheer quality of the recording compels me to keep it playing and makes me appreciate the music and the artist more than I would, say, if I was flipping through radio stations and landed on Coast 103 Light FM.

Martin Taylor is a self-taught and extremely accomplished guitarist with a career spanning over 30 years. He began playing at the age of four when his father gave him a small acoustic guitar as a present. His official website is chock full of awards and accolades he's received, among them honors from the Queen herself. Either this guy thinks a whole hell of a lot of himself, or he's pretty damn good. Fortunately for him, the latter is true.

Artistry was originally released in 1992 on Linn Records and has been re-mastered by Linn for SACD. Linn Records is a division of the highly acclaimed audio/video component manufacturer Linn Products. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Linn has been manufacturing some of the world's finest audio gear since 1972. Linn Records was born out of their pure love for music and their frustration with the poor audio quality of many vinyl records. So they did what any enterprising young company would do and decided to press their own records. Since then, Linn Records has evolved into a much respected independent label with over 150 recordings - mostly by classical, jazz and British and/or Scottish artists. Needless to say I don't think you'll be seeing the next Britney Spears album put out by Linn Records. (Then again, if she keeps going the way she's going, we may never see another Britney Spears album, period.)

Somewhat surprisingly, this jazz solo SACD is produced by none other than Steve Howe of YES fame. Who would have thought that one day Howe would program the "adult contemporary" station into his radio tuner? Not me. Alas, his face is plastered on the inside of the liner notes and Martin thanks him profusely for his "talent" and "vegetarian cuisine." The liner notes go on further to explain that Taylor's not satisfied to play just any old guitar and doesn't, in fact, play either a Martin or Taylor guitar, but rather a customized Yamaha AEX "Martin Taylor" Stereo guitar. As is evident on this SACD, this customized guitar is truly special and gives the illusion one is hearing two guitars playing at once in perfect harmony. This effect is so convincing to me, at least, that I scour the liner notes looking for another guitarist credit, but no such credit exists. It's all Taylor.

As with many of today's "jazz" artists, Taylor mainly sticks to his interpretations of the standards, but infuses some contemporary whimsy into songs such as The Beatles' "Here There and Everywhere" and "Day Tripper." His timing and patience on "Here There and Everywhere" is inspiring, while his speed and control on "Day Tripper" are nothing short of amazing. Let me tell you, this guy can play the guitar. Makes me wonder if he might not do the world of music a better service by throwing on an AC/DC t-shirt, strapping on a Fender and touring with Metallica. (I'm kidding, of course. Please don't write in.)

As I said before, this is not really my kind of music, but I know talent when I hear it and this guy is incredible, as is his instrument. Who knew a guitar had than much range? Bass notes have so much weight to them and the dynamic range on the top end can only be described as ethereal. Credit also the quality of the SACD mastering for this. Taylor's guitar playing is so engaging that one simply doesn't notice the absence of other instruments. Now, would this be something I would cruise down the road and listen to? No, not if I want to stay awake. But the quality of the SACD and Taylor's talent are both undeniable, and for those, I'll hang onto this disc and use it as a reference by which to judge the quality of the components in my system.

reviewed by: Joe Hageman

I first heard Taylor on a Dave Grisman Christmas record (1982) doing an acoustic guitar solo on The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting...). It blew (still does) my mind...the touch, the phrasing. I thought it was someone goofing with the name (Martin; Taylor - both high-end acoustic guitar companies). But no! This amazing Scotsman is real. "Artistry" displays mind boggling technique (bass lines, melody, chord rhythms all at once!) yet is very accesible to the average listener. Thank you Steve Howe (of Yes fame) for bringing this to the world! Taylor has his guitar pickup wired in stereo (3 strings to one side and three to the other) so that this recording sounds at times very much like TWO great guitarist playing together. And the waterfall harmonics at the end of Eca's "The Dolphin" will shiver your spine. A true living legend, Taylor is taking solo jazz guitar to levels even beyond George Van Eps and Lenny Breau. Buy it!

Very good solo jazz guitar. For those of you not familiar with the late Joe Pass, I think he was the first guitarist to offer all solo jazz guitar albums (has over 10). Whereas, Joe mostly does the classics, I think that Martin offers a great variety of contemporary works on his albums.

How many Jazz guitarists are out there? How many are willing to release an entire CD of Solo playing? Martin Taylor is a true gentleman willing to share himself with the world and "Artistry" is a very intimate experience with one of the true greats of Jazz Guitar. Anyone interested in solo jazz guitar playing should listen to Martin and this CD is a great example of his work. His playing is so impressive yet not out of touch with his audience. He can really blow as he does on "Cherokee" but still remains sensitive, as on every track!. He really swings on Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me" and his rendition of the Beatles' "Day Tripper" demonstrates his ability to let his hair down. Martin's playing on "Artistry" is amazing to say the least without the typical guitarist tendancy to show off (much!). One listen and it's easy to see why he is being asked to play the calibre of gigs he is these days. "Artistry" reminds me of the small venue settings he used to play on his visits here to Australia and the closeness of the artist to his audience. It's almost as good as being there, just close your eyes and picture his fingers (if you can !)

Artistry displays Taylor at his best with complex and dense arrangements of jazz standards such as "Polkadots.." and lesser known favorites such as "The Dolhpin." His double time chord/melody/bass rhythms must be heard to be believed. Far superior to "Portraits".

Martin Taylor - ARTISTRY - Linn Records

Nimble fingered Martin Taylor is back with a collection of jazz standards arranged for solo guitar. While Mr. Taylor's virtuosity is obvious, especially on the classically influenced "Gentle Rain", he is let down by both his repertoire choices and the recording process.

The song selection here feels like a more formal guitar recital; whether it's Duke Ellington, Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, or the obligatory Beatles tune, so much of the material presented here has already been recorded by other great guitarists. Perhaps the intention was to invite comparison with the likes of Grant Green, Joe Pass or Kenny Burrell; if so, one may question the wisdom of such a choice.

Finally, there's the sound quality itself; simply put, there is far too much distracting string noise (especially considering that Mr. Taylor is playing a guitar built specifically for him) and too much fooling around from song to song with the guitar's tone.

Martin Taylor is a clearly gifted, master musician; sadly, this particular effort is hampered by technical flaws and a "play it safe" repertoire. "Artistry" will be welcomed by guitar aficionados looking for new `licks', the rest of us may hope for a project that better represents his obvious talent. Oscar o. Veterano

See Martin Taylor play a live solo concert and this album will become a must have addition to your record collection. If you have never had the pleasure of seeing him live then go out of your way to do so - if thats impossible then buy this CD. The playing and production are exemplary. Martin Taylor's technique on the jazz guitar is awesome, there is surely no finer exponent of this art working in the world today. It is almost beyond belief that some of these cuts were possible without overdubs - but then see him live and you'll understand why.

the best guitarist since ted greene. seemingly impossible versions of 'cherokee' and 'can't take that away. . .' solo lines doubled with rhythmic bass lines, wonderful attention to melody. GREAT touch. a MUST for guitarists.

I found this disc exquisite from start to finish (and with a name like Martin Taylor I expected some great guitar playing). Gets better on repeated listenings. Audiophile sound quality as well. One dissapointment: the liner notes indicate this was produced--and presumably made possible by--Steve Howe, who has made millions playing some of the fastest, sloppiest guitar imaginable, while a class act like Martin Taylor remains virtually unknown. But I guess this is like asking why Santana sells more records than, say, Allan Holdsworth.