The Lost Album

Lewis Taylor (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: January 31, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: HACKTONE RECORDS
• ASIN: B000LKAR6Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,857 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review
(4 stars) While some musicians who plunder the past dilute their source material (see Lenny Kravitz), British soul man Lewis Taylor does the opposite. His second U.S. release rides a wave of giddy enthusiasm, unleashing big noises lovingly swiped from Bee Gees, Jimi Hendrix, and umpteen others: 'Let's Hope Nobody Finds Us' would make a fine addition to the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds.' Playing every multicolored note himself, Taylor is an ingenious charmer. --SPIN --Spin Magazine

Product Description
If you came to Lewis Taylor through his psychedelic soul masterpiece, 'Stoned,' the sun-soaked prog of 'The Lost Album' might come as a surprise. But don't worry. You can still wrap yourself in his melodies, float on his harmonies and marvel at the sheer virtuosity behind every meticulously-crafted song. It's a very different, but no less astonishing, side of Lewis Taylor. And one that nearly remained unheard.
'The Lost Album' began life as demos for the follow-up to Lewis Tayor's highly-acclaimed debut record. Labeled by the press as the second-coming of soul and expected to work within those confines, he shocked his then-label by indulging his love of progressive rock and West-coast pop. The demos were subsequently rejected by his label, and Taylor fulfilled his contract with another album of begrudgingly brilliant soul. Years later, on his own label, Lewis and collaborator Sabina Smyth revisited those demos and finally made the album they'd always envisioned. Upon its release in the UK, the British press embraced 'The Lost Album' with the same rapt enthusiasm as his previous work. Now HackTone Records is proud to present 'The Lost Album' in America - repackaged, remastered and expanded with three acoustic recordings of songs from his 1996 debut.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IF GIVEN A CHANCE THIS RECORDING COULD RESCUE POP MUSIC., March 10, 2007

By	David Hoeltje (Mariposa, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A friend of mine STILL employed in the music industry turned me on to this masterpiece. It is with no exaggeration that I unashamedly shout to the world that this is one of the best pop/rock recordings I have heard in 30 years. The influences, while borrowing from the Beach Boys, Todd Rundgren and 60's and 70's pop in general, are too many to list. There is so much to praise here that I won't bother to try. The same friend sent me an article in which Taylor is said to have retired and walked away in disgust from recording completely. I hope that's not true but it would not suprise me. Over the last 15 years the music industry has been devouring itself from the inside out and there aren't many A & R people left who really know what to do with an artist like Lewis Taylor.

I normally can't stand too large a dose of falsetto but this album hooked me with the first song. Aside from the latest Swing Out Sister and Wolfmother it's the first time I have hit replay immediately after the first listen in many a year. While we have heard much of what is here before, Taylor serves up a collection of songs that have a freshness and vitality that transcend genre and time. It's that good. Buy it now.

PS...NO, SERIOUSLY. BUY IT NOW!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic addition..., February 26, 2007

By	A B - See all my reviews

to the rest of Mr. Taylor's work. If you loved "Stoned", you will certainly have just as much to rave about-

This collection has a slightly different overall vibe though- sunnier in its disposition, you can hear the same influences as before but the overall production gives the final product a less refined glow ( which is, in this case, just as valid and attractive.)

Perhaps its just my subjective viewpoint, but growing of age in the seventies, there is a decidedly sweet and innocent feel for most of the material. I simply love the way he creates his collage of vocal and instrumental textures- this man just KNOWS how to seduce you with the sheer SOUND of his voice and instrumentation.

Its groovy, warm, seductive, comforting, and will make you glad to be alive. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a household name, but should be., March 21, 2008

By	Philip Bradshaw (toronto canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would venture a guess that not one in a thousand music lovers has ever heard of Lewis Taylor, let alone heard a song sung by him. This is a tragedy, not in the sense that the US invasion of Iraq is a tragedy, but in artistic terms. It is inexplicable that this genius has not reached a larger audience. By this I do not mean an earth-shatteringly huge audience - just one marginally larger than the 23 of us in North America who are aware of this man's existence! I have a good friend who is nuts about Joe Henry. I like him too, in small doses. However, I can understand why Mr. Henry isn't a household name appreciated by hoards of adoring fans. His music is unusual. Eclectic is an apt description. Lewis Taylor is a world apart. His music, whether it be the 1970's style pop of The Lost Album or the more soulful style of his other recordings, is very accessible. Reviewers have mentioned Todd Rundgren, Love, Prince, The Beatles and The Beach Boys for this cd and Marvin Gaye for the others, as influences - these are hardly obscure artists who made music that required any effort for enjoyment.

Lewis Taylor plays a mean guitar as well as all of the other instruments. He wrote and sings all of the songs. He is an unbelievably talented musician who has created a cd that any music lover would enjoy. I know, I know. People are always imploring others to buy this or that essential and brilliant recording. More often than not the cd is very appealing - but only for fans of the artist or the genre. The Lost Album is for those myriad persons who just plain love good music. If you enjoy any of the artists listed above as influences then I am confident that you will love this release. Then pick up Stoned and Lewis Taylor 11.