Customer Reviews

White African

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is about testimony, people, and you will not turn your back and say, "That's not my problem." It's about legacies...of violence, pain, hate, suffering...in the name of heritage; in the name of raw apathy...in the name of ignorance. In Otis Taylor's big hands, plucking and strumming on an electric banjo, mandolin, or acoustic guitar, it's a way to cry out for justice-and mercy and forgiveness. They don't make prophets like this anymore-they did once upon a time, but that was back in biblical days. If there was a reason to listen to this man's songs, it's because he wears the dust of history on his physical body and within his heart, and along with that, the crimes of passion that have been done in the name of righteous intention.

These songs are about commitment: a way to remind us that we have choices to make in our lives, both individually and as a social unit. The actions that we make can come back with a sword or an olive branch-and thankfully, Otis has a gentle way with his power, especially from a man who can stare into your soul from the cover photo of White African. His companions are right beside him like avenging angels: Kenny Passarelli's thudding, plodding bass, holding the chains and shackles of generations, daughter Cassie Taylor's ghostly backup vocals that moan through the leaves on the trees on a hot moonless night, and Eddie Turner's tortured slide and lead guitar. Yes, the obvious comparison is to John Lee Hooker-but Otis's strength is that he's doing it his way. You'll feel it too, once Otis lays his music on you.

Except for the sounds of trains, My Soul's in Lousiana, baby crying, 3 Days & 3 Nights, and thunder, Rain so Hard, this could have been recorded in the 20s with a single microphone hung from the ceiling of a cheap hotel room. This is straight ahead, gut level blues, the real stuff, not watered down 4th generation drivel.Great guitar and banjo work, but no overblown guitar heroics. If you listen to Lightnin Hopkins, Howling Wolf, Leadbelly, Mance Lipscomb this is for you. This is the Blues, straight, no chaser. Dark, stark and bone chilling.

Stark and hauting...this is not a pick-me-up, but masterfully arranged and performed, absolutely deep and real, a tower of remorse and memory to the legacy of early black america. If you have a feel for country blues or dark alterna-blues, then for god's sake, get this CD!!!!!!!

Powerful Bare Bones Blues!
Otis has some mighty powerful songs on this CD
that deal with the history and plight of African Americans.
He tells some personal family stories about lynching & coping with loss with a mighty mournful voice & sparse instrumentation. Usually it's just his guitar, a bass guitar and a reverb drenched
lead guitar that all seem to perfectly compliment the song. He also has some songs that he plays a banjo or mandolin & one with some great blues harp on as well. There's some backing vocals by
his sister on a couple tunes that add to the mournful mix.
If you like Honest, Real & Raw Blues- This Is It!!!

I don't want to get into a long review. It really isn't needed. Hands down the best blues CD ever. It doesn't get any better this.

The other reviews have already told the story - all I can say is "amen".
This has to be the most original, heartfelt and heartrending reinterpretation of roots blues that I know - an essential album for any fan of the blues.

Since you are reading this review, you are probably searching for something more authentic than American Idol pop or the latest in mass market music brought to you courtesy of music industry executives. Well, you've found what you are looking for. White African is music without pretense. It is raw, honest and direct. It is the real deal. With a voice not pretty but perfectly suited to his music, and with his expressive and sometimes intense instrumental work, Otis Taylor passionately cuts to the bone of human existence. He sings of racism and homeless, of poverty- and of love. He sings of a man who can't afford medical care for his dying child. He sings of a Navajo confronting alcoholism. He sings of the lynching of his great-grandfather. This is powerful stuff and deeply moving. Some tracks are just Taylor; the others, which feature supporting musicians, hew to Taylor's minimalist but powerful style. In its 20th anniversary edition, Acoustic Guitar magazine compiled a list of the essential albums of the last two decades- "the ultimate play list." In choosing White African as one of the essential releases of 2001, the magazine described Taylor's writing and playing as "deeply haunting." This is an extraordinary piece of work. If you are looking for a "real" blues album, buy without hesitation.

and raw. Can't really add much to the other reviews except to say that I heard this last weekend at a friend's house, and I will be purchasing this cd. It sounded like something ancient, so I am surprised to find out it's fairly new. Only listened to it once - can't wait to hear it again and again. Wow!! 5*5*5*5*5* stars!! Pure and sounding like a heartache distilled right down to the bone.

One of the most original CD's I have heard in a long time! Takes acoustic Blues, Folk and even some banjo music to darker realms while creating landscapes of storytelling with his voice, which some times howls, whispers and just pierce's your Soul. "My Soul's in Louisiana", "Resurrection Blues" and "3 Days and 3 Nights" are favorites. Every track is well crafted and flows well together. Thumbs up to Northern Blues Records in Canada for capturing such a sound. Simon Aguilar KYNR Crazy Coyote Blues

I stole the intro from Fat Possum, but if any blues recording in the new century deserves to be noticed, its Otis Taylor. This CD just blows me away with its honesty, sincerity and punch in the gut realism. Listening to this recording is like being back in the 30's when the blues giants were walking the earth and forever changing the music. However Otis Taylor brings the sound and sound quality to the 21st century. In additon, his musicianship is up there with the best. The modern blues players who cry and complain about poor sales should take their cue from Otis Taylor and Magic Slim. I love this CD and all his music. ...