Customer Reviews

Beautiful Road

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Thank you Rolling Stone for your review of "Beautiful Road". I wouldn't have come across this gem if I hadn't read the review buried in the back of the magazine. (3 stars is too low, though).

"I Will Fly" and "Beautiful Road" are 2 of the most beautiful folk-rock songs I have ever heard. In between, there are traces of Creedence, a little of Emmy Lou, with a great ecletic mix of folk, rock-abilly, and country. It's always a pleasure to hear brother James harmonize on any album, and the harmonizing is especially poignant on this one. If you're a fan of acoustic music with thoughtful lyrics and a nice blending of folk, country, rock, and rock-abilly you will enjoy this cd. This cd is an unexpected pleasure that seem to come from nowhere.(the cd came out in 2002 so why is Rolling Stone reviewing it just now ?).

Kate's tremendous talent and warmth set this album above and beyond any album I've personally purchased in the last two years. Kate's voice is so true and familiar, especially on songs like Beautiful Road and I Will Fly, it's as if she were sitting in your living room with a cup of tea and her guitar, rather than her voice emanating from the stereo speakers.

And when she decides to rock out, well I don't know how well that awesome band would fit in my living room, but it still has that personal touch just the same. It's still that warm and friendly Kate, but it seems she ditches the hot tea for a good cold beer on songs like Blue Tin Suitcase and Rain on the Water, deftly demonstrating yet another facet of her multi-dimensional talent.

This album has music on it to satisfy every mood. It is a quintessential collection of top-flight performances by Kate, her band, and her distinguished list of guest musicians. If I had to whittle my collection down to five cds (knocking on wood that I never have to), this would be one of them. Thank you, Kate, for such a truly classic contribution.

I have loved Kate's music since the LP (and I'm lucky to own it on CD!) 'SISTER KATE'.
Her voice has always communicated a soulful, wise 'git down' passion!--
Kate's singing makes me move!
BEAUTIFUL ROAD is her most personal, her most passionate, and her best to date, IMHO.
The title song ranks in my ALL TIME top 10 songs EVER!
Her late husband, Charles Whitham, wrote most of the songs and produced the CD with Tony Garnier.
This collection differs from her first 3 in that Kate seems to set this collection to thematic musical genre.
Problem is, I'm still trying to define it!

....country-rock....folk-rolk....bluegrass-rock....soul-rock.
I give up. It must be all 4!

But it don't matter!---get ye some KT 'BEAUTIFUL ROAD'!

Okay music fans of traditional American music, here's your chance to get a chocolate box filled with musical treats - the kind American musicians do best... folk, blues, country, honky tonk. A Gospel duet with Mavis Staples!! It's all here, a rich slice of Music Americana, and all brought beautifully to the first full disc of music by Kate Taylor in many a year. You can't lose with this Cd, from the sweet lament of the opening duet with brother James on "I Will Fly", through the stunningly moving title song "Beautiful Road", and on past marvelous songs of life and love on Martha's Vineyard composed by her husband, Charlie Whitham, ending with yet another beautifully moving duet by Kate and James on "Auld Lang Syne"... this collection of traditional-like music has it all. It's a rich work, produced with a light and moving touch. Kate Taylor's "Beautiful Road" is a clear reflection of an artist and singer who is once again moving forward on up her own musical road of experience and if you listen and ride along, you will deeply enjoy and be moved by the ride... (though you probably still won't figure out what is inside the "Blue Tin Suitcase", track three). Highly recommended!!!

It is great to have new music from Kate. The entire record is simply fantastic. It has been a long wait, but this record is a true labor of love. Kate sounds great. "Sister Kate" is a classic and this is a new masterpiece.

THIS REVIEW APPEARS IN THE JANUARY 27th ISSUE OF
ON NEWSSTANDS THIS FRIDAY JANUARY 14th
BEAUTIFUL ROAD *** 3 STARS

Lost and found: A heartfelt folk-rock gem from James Taylor's sister

An overlooked gem that was originally released in 2002, Kate Taylor's
first full-length since 1979 has a handcrafted aura and a bittersweet
back story. Beautiful Road was co-produced and largely written by
Taylor's husband, Charlie Witham, who took ill during its making and
died shortly after. Yet
Taylor projects spiritual resilience on ultimately uplifting songs such
as the chiming, heavily allusive title track: the folk-gospel lament, "I
Will Fly" (on which she's joined by her famous brother, James); and
Randall Bramblett's redemptive anthem "Flying in the Face of Mr. Blue."
She's aided throughout by a talented cast, including bassist and
co-producer Tony Garnier (from Bob Dylan's band), Levon Helm, Chuck
Leavell and Mavis Staples, whose participation tacitly attests to the
healing power of community.

Key Track "I Will Fly"


its great to have Rolling Stone acknowledge this GREAT CD two years after its release--it IS that good!

Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a beautiful place like Kate's Martha's Vineyard and listen to Beautiful Road. Or in your car (but with your eyes open). The images are fresh, the backup musicians among the best--listen to the beat shift in Tin Suitcase- and you hear, unmistakeably, The Band. Chuck Leavell shimmers on piano on the title cut. And Kate's voice is SWEET. And James Taylor is, well, James Taylor. I would have him backup just about anyone. Listen to him support his sis'on I will fly.

Kate Taylor is a prolific song writer and her vocals are classic. The teaming with her brother, James, on "I Will Fly" are timeless and anyone who appreciates serious songwriting and melodic singing should own this.

Kate Taylor's "Beautiful Road" is, quite simply, a gift for anyone who enjoys good music. The songs range from folk to R&B, and Kate's voice is great, as always. Let's just hope she doesn't wait 20 years to make her next record.

This is a good set by Kate Taylor, appreciated after her long absence from recording. The opener "I Will Fly" is an uplifting folk tune with brother James providing strong supporting vocals. With its beautiful melody and Richard Bell's gorgeous piano, the title track penned by Erica Wheeler has a transcendent feel. "Blue Tin Suitcase" is a sweet boogie, appropriately dedicated to brother Alex who would have loved it. "The Golden Key," one of 6 tracks penned by Charles Witham, has a nice sound if a somewhat generic melody. Chuck Leavell's organ drenches "Rain on the Water," a toe tapping midtempo track with Mavis Staples lending supporting vocals. My favorite track is Randall Bramblett's "Flying the Face of Mr. Blue" with its insistent rhythm and Kate's aching vocal. "Shanty Song" has an old-timey feel with Mindy Jostyn's violin. Kate writes a Chuck Berry-style rocker on "He's Waiting." "Moles had pushed up mazes in the sand like some rudderless vagrants," Kate sings in Witham's "Shores of Paradise," a track that sounds like it ought to be more important than I quite get. The CD concludes with brother James joining in on "Auld Lang Syne" which would make a great compainion piece to James' "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from "October Road." Kate is in good voice on the set & the musicians are first rate. If there is room for improvement, Charles Witham doesn't strike me as that strong of a songwriter with distinctive melodies. However, the positives shine through. This is a charming set. Enjoy!