JACKSON TAYLOR and the SINNERS – BAD JUJU
2012 – Sinner Entertainment
3.5***
If he chose to, Jackson Taylor could probably have a career as a middle of the road Nashville country singer such are
the quality of his vocals. At times they are fiery, raw and aggressive, at others incredibly warm and almost soothing. That he doesn’t choose the middle path, instead choosing a much edgier version of country music, not only speaks
volumes for his musical taste but is also something we should all be grateful for. This three piece band bring a real punked up edge to what used to be called ‘outlaw country’ but have actually developed a style of their own, thanks in no small measure to the extraordinary fire they are able to generate and the musical abilities that make them sound at times like a four or five piece band, albeit without a bass player!
The band consists of Taylor himself on mainly acoustic guitar, songwriting and vocals, the incredible Austin Garrett on lead guitar and the just as excellent Brandon Burke on drums. Between them, on this ten song album that was recorded in just three days and with no overdubs, this threesome create a little honky tonk, a lot of outlaw and even more punk attitude to make this an enjoyable highly entertaining ‘in your face’ listen.
Of the ten songs three are covers, with the first being a raw, no holds barred version of Johnny Cash’s I Got Stripes, normally something to criticize, but in these hands they bring fire and believability to the song that Cash would almost certainly have added his stamp of approval to. Another is Arthur Crudup’s That’s alright Mama, a song that a young Elvis Presley recorded nearly sixty years ago but would surely have envied the stinging attack this trio bring to the song! The third is Willie Nelson’s It’s not supposed to be that way, another success, if one that Garrett and Burke have to work hard to show some restraint on in support of Taylor’s edgy but just warm enough vocals. On the originals there is plenty of variety with excellent ballads (but with a hard edge!) and speedy rockers, that are always undeniably steeped in country music. Humboldt County grown is an edgy raw mid tempo country rocker about life on the wrong side of the tracks, with some incredible guitar sounds from Garrett. Guitars, Jim Beam & Waylon is a song pretty much summed up by the title with Garrett’s guitar veering from speedy rock ‘n’ roll to a nice chugging country beat, whilst Cocaine is the story of a forsaken lover who finds solace in the dark side of life, a slow moody tale with Taylor’s excellent edgy vocals and the restraint shown by Burke and Garrett giving the story greater impact.
They were so obviously having a good time making this album that it rubs off on the listener and draws you into their raw at times slightly uncomfortable world. It’s probably not an album that will ever become a classic, but it is a tremendous album of fiery roots music and a great commercial for what can be achieved within the broad boundaries of country music. Long may they continue to do so!
http://jacksontaylorband.com
3.5***
If he chose to, Jackson Taylor could probably have a career as a middle of the road Nashville country singer such are
the quality of his vocals. At times they are fiery, raw and aggressive, at others incredibly warm and almost soothing. That he doesn’t choose the middle path, instead choosing a much edgier version of country music, not only speaks
volumes for his musical taste but is also something we should all be grateful for. This three piece band bring a real punked up edge to what used to be called ‘outlaw country’ but have actually developed a style of their own, thanks in no small measure to the extraordinary fire they are able to generate and the musical abilities that make them sound at times like a four or five piece band, albeit without a bass player!
The band consists of Taylor himself on mainly acoustic guitar, songwriting and vocals, the incredible Austin Garrett on lead guitar and the just as excellent Brandon Burke on drums. Between them, on this ten song album that was recorded in just three days and with no overdubs, this threesome create a little honky tonk, a lot of outlaw and even more punk attitude to make this an enjoyable highly entertaining ‘in your face’ listen.
Of the ten songs three are covers, with the first being a raw, no holds barred version of Johnny Cash’s I Got Stripes, normally something to criticize, but in these hands they bring fire and believability to the song that Cash would almost certainly have added his stamp of approval to. Another is Arthur Crudup’s That’s alright Mama, a song that a young Elvis Presley recorded nearly sixty years ago but would surely have envied the stinging attack this trio bring to the song! The third is Willie Nelson’s It’s not supposed to be that way, another success, if one that Garrett and Burke have to work hard to show some restraint on in support of Taylor’s edgy but just warm enough vocals. On the originals there is plenty of variety with excellent ballads (but with a hard edge!) and speedy rockers, that are always undeniably steeped in country music. Humboldt County grown is an edgy raw mid tempo country rocker about life on the wrong side of the tracks, with some incredible guitar sounds from Garrett. Guitars, Jim Beam & Waylon is a song pretty much summed up by the title with Garrett’s guitar veering from speedy rock ‘n’ roll to a nice chugging country beat, whilst Cocaine is the story of a forsaken lover who finds solace in the dark side of life, a slow moody tale with Taylor’s excellent edgy vocals and the restraint shown by Burke and Garrett giving the story greater impact.
They were so obviously having a good time making this album that it rubs off on the listener and draws you into their raw at times slightly uncomfortable world. It’s probably not an album that will ever become a classic, but it is a tremendous album of fiery roots music and a great commercial for what can be achieved within the broad boundaries of country music. Long may they continue to do so!
http://jacksontaylorband.com