TODD TAYLOR: Taylor Made

Todd Taylor

Taylor Made

© 2005 Todd Taylor (837101022774)

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Bluegrass Banjo At Its Finest 2004 Grammy Nominated Artist Todd Taylor Has Done It Again With This New Banjo Cd Titled Taylor Made

notes

Grammy Nominated Artist Todd Taylor presents his newest album "Taylor Made" A collection of original songs, some old standards arranged by Todd and some seldom heard classics done in Todd's fabulous banjo style. Todd's Grammy
Nominated Album "Blazin Bluegrass Banjo" of last year was a great album. "Taylor Made" promises to eclipse the former album in both sales and popularity to say nothing of garnering more Grammy Nominations for the finest banjo player in the world!

Todd Taylor a performing artist since age 6, worked with his twin brother Allen as the "Taylor Twins". They Performed with such legendary bluegrass acts as Bill Monroe "The Father Of Bluegrass", Carl Story, Roy Acuff and many more. This is truly an album that will amaze any listener. This is a "Must Have" album for bluegrass fans and anyone that loves precise banjo picking at breckneck speed!!!

reviews

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  • Great banjo music!
    author: Ron
  • super, excellent, hope to play like you some day
    author: Col. Allen Kolmer

    Excellent sound quality, unrivaled artistry, magnificent performance, simply pure professional excellence for both the CD and artist. I look forward to your other 2 cd's.

  • Todd's a very daring young man with a lot of confidence and musical skill
    author: Joe Ross

    Playing Time – 61:45 -- Notes in Todd Taylor’s “Taylor Made” album include Mark Twain’s famous quote about the banjo…you know the one about breaking out your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose. Well, with this inspiration to set the stage, Todd Taylor does a mighty fine job invoking “the glory-beaming banjo!” on this all-instrumental effort. He has some innovative licks and demonstrates various techniques on the 5-string (Scruggs style, melodic, and single string). His repertoire pays tribute to the music of Earl Scruggs, Kenny Baker, Don Reno, Hugh Tomasson and even Led Zeppelin. At the same time, about half of the CD is made up of Taylor’s originals, and one can see why he was nominated for a 2004 Grammy for “Blazin’ Bluegrass Banjo.” John McEuen wrote the liner notes for “Taylor Made.” On stage since age 6, Taylor performed with his twin brother (Allen) as the “Taylor Twins.” They appeared with Bill Monroe, Carl Story, Roy Acuff and others. Todd lights a fire on his five-string, but one should look beyond just the breakneck licks. The musician finds his stylistic footing by expanding into non-bluegrass genres (Latin, new acoustic, western, and rock). While every banjo-player worth his salt cuts his teeth on far like Foggy Mountain Special, Dixie Breakdown, Washington County, Shuckin’ the Corn, and John Hardy, the task at hand becomes one of incorporating innovative interpretive twists to make these recorded tunes your own. That’s why Taylor’s best material is built around his own originals (Jo Ban, Gold Tone Jubilee, Unleashed) or his renderings of “El Cumbanchero” or “Stairway to Heaven.” Unfortunately, his 6-minute rendition of “Ghost Riders” gets a bit mundane and tedious, especially without lyrics included. After one round of banjo, dobro, and fiddle interplay, the song actually stops and starts again with another 3-minute round. Despite this reviewer’s opinion, I’m told that the tune is getting rave reviews and airplay. Taylor’s arrangements tend to use the fade-out to end his songs. He does this to be different and so that his music can be used in major movies (ie. Roadkill). At times, Taylor’s accompanists seem challenged to cleanly match his exceptional musicianship. I also felt that Todd’s rhythm guitar sits a little too dominantly in the overall mix in places. Minimal album shortcomings aside, I was impressed with this young man’s virtuosity and vitality. Accompanists include Bo Frazier (fiddle, mandolin), Mike Moody or Ken Parker (bass), and Steve Thorpe (dobro). Look for Todd Taylor and his Gold Tone. He shows us that he’s a very daring young man with a lot of confidence and musical skill. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

  • This album is all about the banjo and a man that knows how to play one exception
    author: Roots Music Report

    This album is all about the banjo and a man that knows how to play one exceptionally well. This CD features 11 of the hottest banjo tunes to ever be recorded. Todd Taylor has got to be one of the best banjo pickers to walk this earth. If you want to hear 21st century banjo playing just listen to this album and be amazed.

  • Grammy Nominated 5 String Banjoist
    author: Mitch Finley

    Grammy nominated banjoist Taylor's CD proves what a pleasure it can be to listen to the banjo as a solo instrument. Accompanied by Bo Frazer (fiddle,Mandolin),Steve Thorpe (Dobro),Mike Moody and Ken Parker (bass), Taylor gives fantastic performances of standards such as foggy mtn special, john hardy, and shucken the corn. In addition, he takes on tunes you might not expect and more than does them justice, including Stairway to heaven and El Cumbanchero

  • AWESOME!!!!!!!!
    author: Carl

    Artist: Todd Taylor CD Title: Taylor Made Released: 2005 Favorite cut(s): "Jo Ban," "Washington County," "Ghost Riders" & "Stairway To Heaven" I received Todd Taylor's CD as a gift from Mr. Taylor himself and I thank him for it. For fans of bluegrass as well as banjo aficionados everywhere, this CD is a must. Every song on the CD is top-notch and just plain enjoyable. His rendition of Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven" is delightful and I found it to be almost transcendental. "Dixie Breakdown" is a rolicking tune in the great tradition of bluegrass with great energy and passion. Sometimes a song triggers images in my mind and Mr. Taylor's original "Jo Ban" provides me a soundtrack for memories of my Daddy taking me riding in his car on the Delta dirt roads in Bolivar County, Mississippi. He'd let me sort of shift gears by letting me hold the shifter in my small hand while he put his hand over mine and guided the gear shifter from one gear to the next. Overall, this is an outstanding CD and would make a wonderful addition to any bluegrass collection. Every song on this CD is a winner in my opinion.

  • excelet
    author: Leo Jordan

    This is the best banjo interpretation ever resonated my ear drum a master harmony .

  • Bluegrass Banjo at it's Best
    author: Mimspicker

    This is a great CD that every bluegrass fan should own! The banjo playing is as good as it gets. From original songs like Gold Tone Jubilee to traditional bluegrass favorites Foggy Mountain Breakdown and John Hardy, this CD will satisify your thirst for hard driving bluegrass.

  • This isTodd's best work to date. His genius is evident in every song! Brilliant
    author: Gail Madison

    All of the songs on this CD are fresh and exciting. Todd has a talent for writing exciting new material, I love JoBan, and for arranging old favorites. The pace of each song and style leads well into the next tune. It is a pleasure to listen to it over and over, by far my favorite CD!

  • Outstanding display of talent
    author: Doc 'Lefty' House

    The ONLY thing better than listening to this CD is to see the artist in person and enjoy firsthand the high quality of his picking.

  • Todd captures the essence of banjo instrumentals in this CD.
    author: Steve Leatherwood/Bluegrass Radio DJ

    Todd Taylor has captured the banjo sound and the essence of the banjo as an instrument in this CD. The variations in style and form are clearly demonstrated and his presentations are flawless. I never worry about picking a tune from this work to use on my radio shows because I know it will be well done and appreciated by my listeners. Recommended for anyone interested in great banjo instrumentals.

  • absolute driving
    author: Nonie Hale

    pure clean hard driving banjo bluegrass.... my favorite is foggy mountain special

  • Great!! Precise!! Straight On Banjo Pickin Great Cd
    author: Leonard Livingston

    I really do not have the correct words all I can say is this is one heck of a great Banjo album, Todd Taylor's Style and banjo picking is flawless this is a top notch banjo cd, and recommend it to everyone.

  • A MUST HAVE CD!!!
    author: Turtle Hill Banjo Company

    Todd Taylor was nominated for two Grammy awards in 2004, and you'll know why when you listen to his latest tour de force. The CD is titled Taylor Made, and Todd sets the mood on the first cut with a very imaginative arrangement of "Foggy Mountain Special." From there he serves up ten more tunes, ranging from standards -- "Dixie Breakdown," "Shuckin The Corn," and "John Hardy" -- to tunes such as "El Cumbanchero" and "Stairway To Heaven" which are normally not associated with the banjo. Three of the pieces are originals that were written by Todd. No matter what the tune, Todd adds his own special touch by seamlessly and creatively mixing Scruggs, melodic, and single string styles. The result is a CD that I found most enjoyable. I think you will also!

  • Good banjo playing
    author: Earl Webb

    This is a great cd, I also like the flow of it as well, now if I could only play like that I would think I had went to heven, his style of banjo playing is all his on and amazing!! if you do not have this cd yet you need to get it.

  • author: nuka

    I would not say nobody can come close lol but I think Todd is a fine Banjo Player & even though I have not heard the cd, I have listened to the mp3s and I give Todd & his band 5 stars! Very inovative and most important: he has his own style! Way to go Todd! Kind Regards, nuka http://www.nukasbanjopage.com

  • Wow, this one is much better than the last. More true accoustic sound!
    author: Bill Blazye

    This new cd is amazing. I put it in my home stereo and I thought I was sitting in the middle of the band hearing all the accoustic resonance from each of the instruments. Todd's banjo playing is beyond measure. Nobody can come close to his accuracy and speed and amazing licks. This is a must have album for all bluegrass lovers.

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