Joanne Shaw Taylor
By Mike O’Cull
British blues/rock phenomenon Joanne Shaw Taylor aims her considerable vocal and guitar talents at a wonderful set of covers on her new release The Blues Album. Released September 24th, 2021 on Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records, the platter features Taylor’s interpretations of 11 off-the-beaten-track blues songs originally done by genre stars like Albert King, Peter Green, Little Richard, Magic Sam, Aretha Franklin, and Little Milton. Backing her up on these sessions is a high-octane studio band made up of Josh Smith (guitar), Reese Wynans (keyboards), Greg Morrow (drums), Steve Mackey (bass), Steve Patrick (trumpet), Mark Douthit (sax), and Barry Green (trombone). Joe Bonamassa plays and sings on the track “Don’t Go Away Mad.” He and Josh Smith co-produced the record and brought a new level of intensity out of Taylor that lights a big fire beneath this killer old-school material.
Joanne Shaw Taylor was first discovered by 80s rock star Dave Stewart of MTV icons The Eurythmics, who invited her to tour with his band D.U.P. after hearing her perform when she was just 16 years old. Now in her 30s, Joanne has become one of the most highly-regarded rock guitarists on the contemporary scene, released a string of albums as a solo artist, and has seen her music break into the UK Top 20 Album Chart. She’s a volcanic guitarist full of ideas and tones as well as a dynamic and emotive singer with a true gift. The Blues Album finds her focusing on her vocals in a new way than in the past. Bonamassa made it his production objective to push her as a vocalist and not let her guitar skills overwhelm her singing. As a result, The Blues Album strikes a perfect balance and delivers the best listening experience of JST’s career.
Taylor kicks the record off with a tough-toned take on Peter Green’s early Fleetwood Mac number “Stop Messin’ Around.” It’s a perfect shuffle that taps directly into the second-generation British blues sound of the late 60s. Taylor’s vocals are electric and bold, giving out with the kind of emotional content that the blues just can’t exist without. She also turns in some wailing, well-phrased guitar work that’s as powerfully cool as the blues masters we all love. Little Milton’s “If That Ain’t A Reason” comes out funky and fun, once again letting Taylor sparkle on the vocal mic. The band’s solid pocket is miles deep and gives Joanne the musical bedrock she needs to speak her piece and state her case.
Aretha Franklin’s ultra-soulful “If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody” is a brave song choice but Taylor’s voice is more than up to the challenge. Her love for this song comes out in her vocal and guitar performances here and shows that she can handle a slow-burner like this just as well as the stomping uptempo tunes. Her passion and pain will give listeners chills of the best kind and makes this one of this new record’s best cuts.
“Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me” by blues superstar Albert King is another gutsy choice but Joanne succeeds at making it her own while still paying the intimidating King the respect he deserves. She flexes her blues muscles impressively on guitar and vocals and conjures up the same presence that King sent out into the universe when he played. This is hard-nosed, grinding blues at its finest and Taylor puts it down with everything she’s got. Other noteworthy tracks on the set include “Let Me Down Easy” and “Three Time Loser.” Joanne Shaw Taylor comes across bigger than life on The Blues Album and shows fans of outstanding guitar and vocal music that she’s just now hitting her stride.
Listen to Stop Messin’ Round”
The Blues Album order link here
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