In its first decade, the Rolling Stones defined the classic rock lineup—two guitars, bass, drums and a little red rooster crowing out front—and created the enduring standard for how it should sound. And from 1969 to 1975, Taylor contributed to that sound on such classic Stones’ albums as "Let It Bleed," "Sticky Fingers," "It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll," Goats Head Soup," "Exile On Main Street," "Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!" and "Tattoo You."
He has collaborated with Bob Dylan, John Mayall, Carla Olson, and numerous movie scores for the likes of David Bowie ("The Man Who Fell To Earth"), Mike Oldfield ("Tubular Bells" and later "The Exorcist"), Jack Nitzsche ("The Last of the Finest") and Tim Willocks and Michael Stevens ("Bad City Blues").
"A Stone’s Throw" contains eight Taylor originals and covers of J. Williams’ "Here Comes the Rain" and Bob Dylan’s "Blind Willie McTell." Two tracks, "Never Fall In Love Again" and "Lost In the Desert" have been re-mixed for the U.S. market and feature some of Great Britain’s finest musicians—pianist Max Middleton (Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce); guitarist Robert Ahwai (Marvin Gaye, Chris Rea); bassist Michael Bailey (Billy Ocean); and drummer Jeff Allen (Van Morrison).
Fans of Taylor will admire the kind mix of rock, pop, jazz and blues found throughout this excellent return from one of England’s premier and often forgotten shining lights.
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This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
