there is not one bad song on here and it was delivered so fast. great cd...great service.

When I was first exposed to the banjo, and discovered todd taylor his playing style hooked me with this instrument he is truley a master of the banjo this cd shows the art and craft of the banjo and a man that can do it all this is a must have cd.

Playing Time – 35:38 -- Five-string bluegrass banjo is not an easy instrument to play. It requires plenty of intense right hand drive with various fingerpicked rolls, while the left hand uses such techniques as pull-offs, hammer-ons, and string bends to embellish melodies. The innovative Todd Taylor has it all down! Incorporating Scruggs, melodic, and single string styles, his repertoire pays tribute to Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, John McEuen and even Elton John. Pretty diverse influences, but not as far-reaching as on previous projects. Taylor penned two impressive originals, “3-FIVE-N” and “Bayou Bottle Blues,” and he arranged a few others like the frenetic crowd-pleaser “Orange Blossom Special.” One can see why Todd’s been nominated for a number of Grammies. John McEuen once told me that he wants to take the banjo into new, uncharted territory, and Taylor demonstrates his comfort with John’s “Miner’s Night Out.” A barn-burning rendition of “El Cumbanchero” also appeared previously on his “Taylor Made” album. Not sure why he includes it here again. “Prairie Song” and “Little Bessie” feature Steve Thorpe’s languorous vocals. On stage since age 6, Taylor and his twin brother (Allen) performed as the “Taylor Twins” with the likes of Bill Monroe, Carl Story, Roy Acuff and others. When Todd’s five-string starts smoking, look beyond just the breakneck licks. He manages to find some stylistic footing by establishing a groove and expanding into non-bluegrass genres (Latin, new acoustic, and rock). While every banjo-player worth his salt cuts his teeth on fare like Reuben, Todd’s spunk makes it his own. That's why Taylor's best material is built around his two originals or his renderings of “El Cumbanchero” or “Rocket Man.” The band on “3-FIVE-N” comes off with even more instrumental proficiency and a better rehearsed sound than on his “Taylor Made” album. Primary accompanists include Bo Frazier (fiddle), Lamont Goff (mandolin), Robert Feathers (guitar), and Mike Moody (bass). Nathan Thorpe, Steve Thorpe, and Chuck Embry III appear to a minimal degree. Todd shows us that he's a very daring young man with a lot of skill, confidence, and vitality. On first listen, what may sound to an undiscerning ear as rather frantic and frenzied picking is really occurring in a very controlled bluegrass environment. Dare I say it but on his next album I’d like to hear him slow down and offer a small percentage of very evocative mood pieces – a whole ‘nuther and calmer side of the banjer! (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Fresh off the presses, this new release by Todd Taylor Banjoman ~ Extraordinaire - has already garnered the famous, ultimate picker 7 Grammy Nominees! I heard the title track for the first time last week - and all I could do is shake my head. How does he do that? 3-Five-N has got all the hot licks you can stand, amazing arrangements, and pure banjo ecstacy, that righteously highlights the amazing talent of lifetime picker. Todd Taylor. Little Bessie, El Cumbanchero, even Rocket Man and Orange Blossom Special, all will blow you away, hard! This man is a banjo machine, not a man, nothing human could move that fast with fire at the fingertips. I was amazed and it will amaze you as well, to know that Todd Taylor, has been 'touring' and pickin' since he was a child - six years old, when his mother bought him his first banjo from JC Penney - (what a return on her investment!) and when in his youth, played and studied with folks such as Carl Story, Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Sheb Wooley, and others that makes his resume look like - quite a starlit career... and the well deserved accolades keep on coming with his latest project. Nominated in the past for 2004 and 2005, looks like 2006 is going to be another amazing year for Todd, with 3-Five-N nominated for seven Grammys. It will be hard for you to "Pick a favorite" tune from this super hot disc - but what would be even better, is not try to. Just put the disc in the player - and sit back and be amazed. I'm still not down off the clouds - from hearing this amazing man pour his heart out in each lick, each pick, of the note of each song, because they are just too marvelous for words. Included on the project from Pirate Records Palm Bay, Florida, is: 1. 3-Five-N 2. Little Bessie (with solid vocals by Steve Thorpe) 3. Rueben 4. Bayou Bottle Blues 5, Miners' Night Out (impressive!) 6, El Cumbachero (Si, Senor! Hot Banjo and Mando!) 7. Rocket Man (Yep, the Elton John tune, this one will freak you out its soo cool!) 8. Prairie Song (Again, Steve Thorpe on vocals) 9. The Ballad of Osceola 10. Gold Rush (solid gold) 11. Orange Blossom Special (You've never heard this song like this!) Only fault I got to this entire CD.. I want one more song! However, I had my moneys' worth after hearing the first tune - for sure! Eleven of the most impressive banjo pickin' you'll ever remember from anyone. Promise! Gotta get this one for yourself - it has to be heard to be believed!"