"I like to write on an immediate level," says singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dulcie Taylor. "To me, art is communication." Delivered via a clear, supple voice and lyrics that are powerfully direct and down-to-earth, the twelve original songs collected on "Diamond & Glass" - Taylor's Black Iris label debut - beautifully reflect that sentiment.
Shifting seamlessly between acoustic-based moments of sheer bliss and melancholy, Taylor -heard on dulcimer and guitar - is joined by an array of top-flight musicians for "Diamond & Glass." Perhaps chief among the album's cast is acclaimed session guitarist Michael Landau, whose seemingly endless list of credits includes Michael Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Tim McGraw, Cher, and 'N Sync. "It's easier to say who Michael hasn't played with than who he has," adds Dulcie with a laugh.
Additionally, Atlantic Records jazz pianist Brian Culbertson brings his highly praised performance skills to bear, while his top-charting labelmate Steve Cole contributes on saxophone. Other key players include Verve Records guitarist Jeff Golub and percussionist Scott Breadman, best known for his extensive work with José Feliciano.
Since its release, the CD has received substantial airplay nationwide, charting at Album Network's non-commercial AAA, and has gotten rave critical reviews:
"It shines exactly like its title "Diamond & Glass." - Music Row,
Robert Oermann
"Make no mistake about it, Dulcie Taylor is an artist...People will think of
Blue, (Joni) Mitchell's masterpiece. It is the smartness of [Taylor's] singing
...every word counts. This is a 3 a.m. CD, when the music feels more
necessary." - Rockzilla, Reid Mitchell
"...with edgy guitar work and personally evocative lyrics, Taylor uses her
voice and deeply personal lyrics to their best advantage...she sustains
the spell throughout..." - Washington Times, Jay Votel
"Dulcie Taylor is a gifted writer...she also has a compelling voice which
she employs with nuance and emotion." - Dirty Linen, Kerry Dexter
"...a fine album leaning to the pop side of folk." - Sing Out!, Victor Heyman
"A thinking person's album with a cool feel." - Folkwax, Jason Wesley
"Taylor, an award-winning singer songwriter, is a poet...a romantic..."
- Washington Post, Mike Joyce
"No-nonsense songs...superbly crafted slices of life's most basic moments." - Toledo Blade, Ken
Rosenbaum
"Taylor's voice is as clear and versatile as her playing and songwriting." - All Music Guide,
Heather Phares
"This new disc by a strong, clear-voiced performer communicates in a
particularly strong and straightforward southern manner. A new voice we
will be hearing a lot more from in the future." - Music Matters, Bob Gottlieb
"Her work on acoustic guitar and dulcimer is impressive, but it is the depth and insight she has infused within in her songs that caught my attention. Even the titles of the songs illustrate Taylor's foundation in real life, as opposed to the make-believe worlds less talented songwriters seem so often to be writing about." - Soundstage, John Crossett
"mesmerizing." - Barnes & Noble, David McGee
"Diamond & Glass" builds on the acclaim generated by Taylor's self-released 2000 album, "Other Side Of The Bed." As one critic wrote in reviewing that album, "She writes great songs, she sings magnificently, and she manages her guitar and dulcimer with extreme dexterity." "She puts to music life's everyday moments, capturing their fleeting magic," declared another. "Her talent with stringed instruments places her worlds away from most performers... She just writes great songs! Can't get any simpler than that."
At the Washington Area Music Association Awards ceremony in February 2003, Diamond & Glass won a prestigious WAMMIE - Dulcie's second in her career - being chosen as the Best Contemporary Folk Recording. Taylor has also won recognition as a writer from other sources,including five awards from the 2000 Mid-Atlantic songwriting contest, and was a finalist in the Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest 2001 in Wilkesboro, NC, where she also performed.
She is also a writer of prose and poetry, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Poetry Series at Washington, D.C.'s renowned Folger Shakespeare Library.
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