Customer Reviews

Plays the Blues for You

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

 

 

There are the very good guitarists- -the three Kings, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, on and on. Then there are the players that know their instruments inside and out--the greats--Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray, Mike Bloomfield, Roy Buchanan, Eric Clapton...add to the list the name--Melvin Taylor. Whether this CD or another, covers or original, his work is some of the finest i simply ever have heard. If it was jazz (which "sneaks" in) I'd be talking about Lester Young, Charlie parker, Miles Davis etc in the same breath.

This would be an impressive album for any bluesman, but as a debut album it is that much more exceptional. Taylor can really wail when needed, but the best moments for me on this disc are when Taylor shows off his subtle jazz chops. (it's no surprise that one number is dedicated to Wes Montgomery) Taylor has gone on to make discs that are heavily indebted to Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but that is only hinted at here.

I've got all the `Melvin Taylor' records and no doubt this `Plays The Blues For You' is the best of all his records in my opinion. What a great guitar in all themes, is the first time Melvin don't uses the pedal (wah wah) and vibrato and he sounds marvelous, he has won entering in the long list of sublime guitars it be read Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ronnie Earl, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Mike Bloomfield, Freddie King, Albert King, B.B.King, Johnny Winter, Magic Slim, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan or Eric Clapton by naming to a few because there are more, add to the list the name--Melvin Taylor also.
Really Melvin isn't a big shouter but his guitar is enough to full one Blues session and you can notice it in this record only listen "Tribute To Wes", "Groovin' In Paris" or two versions of "Talkin to Anna Mae" and be sure you'll remain hypnotized. Highly recommended especially to the guitar followers, I give it 4,5 stars.

One of my favorite blues-albums of all times. I bought it just after I had seen him play at the Ospel blues festival here in the Netherlands, where he just blew me away (taking in mind that this festival also featured Walter Trout and Dave Hole). He has a very "smooth" way of guitar-playing and reminds me of for instance Robben Ford, also a blues-guitarist with a background in jazz. Do yourself a favour and try it, I guarantee you that it will stay in your CD-player for quite a while...

I think you did here a great disc; i heard you when you came at nancy,france and i was so admirative about your guitar playing style. should you sent me an autograph? Go on making wonderfuls records!