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Knowledge
& Innocence (©1986 Refuge)
This was Terry's first solo album, and it has a lot in common musically with Fearful Symmetry - also released in 1986. This album is quirky in its own way, and the little snippets from Old Time Gospel Camp Meeting Hour and Home Movies are interesting cohesive pieces that help glue the album together. You can tell Terry put some thought into making this album. There's a lot of love in this effort. Healing too. The songs are both beautiful and haunting. This is "Sad, Sweet Music." Reviewed August 11, 2000 |
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There is something strangely appealing about the music written by Terry Taylor. As a principal in Daniel Amos, as well as a member of The Swirling Eddies, and The Lost Dogs, Terry appears to have an inexhaustible muse. The guy is so prolific it's annoying. In this day and age of prefabricated music, and mushy headed personalities the guy is a welcome breath of fresh air. To some he's just an irritating waft of musical flatulence that doesn't know when to hold things inside. Terry is a musician who happens to be Christian, and there is a spiritual quality to his work, but it's not like putting on an Amy Grant or Michael W. Smith album. I'm probably wrong, but I've always thought that Terry is a guy who appreciates a beer on a hot day, and finds fart humour funny. The songs on John Wayne are pure Taylor. It takes a few listens to start appreciating the depth of the lyrics and the music. There are some real gems here too. From the opening cut, to Mr. Flutter, You Told Them Exactly What I Didn't Say, and You Lay Down. If you are lamenting the lack of quality artists out there, look no further. Buy this album and tell 'em The Jevster sent ya. |
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Ruckus
At The Edge Of Nowhere (©2000 M8 Distribution)
Recorded at the legendary Cornerstone Festival in '97 Terry and friends put together a set of classic songs. The sound quality of this recording is much better than I expected - and the band is reasonably tight, considering how often the guy doesn't tour it's a testament to the band. The credits are somewhat sketchy but Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty and Tim Chandler from the Choir (okay - Tim plays with DA too) are backing Terry, along with Phil Madiera (a solid artist in his own right), Andy Prickett (whom I know nothing about), and Ed McTaggart (a man who needs no introduction). I'm not the biggest fan of live albums, but this one really works. Terry pulled out songs from all over his musical map, and it's amazing the wealth of material this man has to draw upon - it's absolutely disgusting that he should be so profoundly prolific, and yet so unknown to the great unwashed. The live versions of If You Want To, When Everyone Wore Hats (one of Daniel Amos' best songs ever), You Lay Down, and The Twist are wicked. It's hard to pick a favourite - there really isn't a lost dog in the bunch. Reviewed April 6, 2002 |
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Imaginarium
(©2000 Dreamworks/Stunt)
disc one The
Neverhood (39 songs)
Where was I? Terry Taylor has outdone himself this time around. The songs are from the games by Douglas TenNapel. Sadly I've never played the games, but as a fan of Terry's work I snapped up this collection when it was made available. This is not your standard TST release - remember it's a game soundtrack. The songs are short mumble bumble bits, which are at times wildly entertaining, and occasionally unlistenable. The best song in my humble opinion is Musical Fruit from Skullmonkeys. Yup, that age old fart favourite. If you like game music this is a must have. This also doubles quite nicely as "children's" music. At least that's what I tell my kids, and they seem to like it too. Jevster's featured CD February 2001 |
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LITTLE,
big (©2002 Zoom Daddy Music)
This is an odd moment for me. I’m totally underwhelmed by a Terry Taylor release ("gasp" you say, "what kind of fan are you?"). This one is a pre-release of sorts to a yet unreleased full album. I think it’s more the arrangements that don’t work for me, than the songs. Rob Watson is a talented guy, and his work on previous DA (particularly Fearful Symmetry), and TST albums was very complementary. This time it sounds stale, and dated (dare I say it ... cheesy), almost as if he and Terry recorded the songs using a RadioShack© keyboard and Terry’s guitar – which is too bad. Terry is a writer who can twist a phrase in a way most wordsmith’s dream of - Witness the emotion of Mama’s in the Desert and Sweet Companion – heck he can noodle a good tune too, it’s just that many of the songs are buried in the clutter on this one. Everyone’s allowed an off moment here and there. No doubt I’ll shell out the cash for the full release, which will feature all new songs. I am a fan after all … that's the kind of fan I am. Reviewed August 27, 2002 |
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Songs
for the Day After Christmas #21/500
(©2002 Lo-Fidelity) This is a little gift from Terry and Rob Watson. With only five songs, one of which is a stinker (deliberate I'm sure) it's one of those treats only a few people will get a chance to enjoy. Musically this fits in between Avacado Faultline, and Little Big. The arrangements are sparse and intimate which is what you'd expect from a quick "home made" release (this is not a shoddy release, that's not what I meant). The songs themselves feature Terry's great observations and lyrical twists. Fruitcake from Hell is one of those great seasonal novelty tunes that has as much truth in it as most other "new" Christmas Carols. As I mentioned there is only one stinker and that's Terry's Elvis tune. The added hiss and overly long song are truly something to listen to at least once, and then program out for subsequent listens (although I must admit that in a twisted way it is starting to grow on me). Special note to Jeffrey at Lo-Fidelity, who has been behind a number of good indie releases of late. Keep up the good work. Also, don't let this go out of print. Keep the limited edition, but if there's demand for this one (think of future Christmas sales) don't deprive people of this little gem. Reviewed December 16, 2002 |
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Random
Acts & Hodgepodge #186 (©2002
Zoom Daddy Music)
A wonderfully strange little collection of songs from Terry. These aren't fleshed out polished songs, they are as the title aptly states "Random Acts & Hodgepodge." The first couple of songs are in the vein of Terry's work from the 80's when he was writing his "sad sweet music." They're not great but they're the most appealing songs on the CD. The rest are Doug TenNapel cast off's, and are thoroughly weird, and showcase Terry at his goofy best. Not a disc for everyone, and quite frankly that's the way it was intended; In an age when artists like Bon Jovi are celebrating their 100 millionth album, it's refreshing to think that small market artists can press under 500 copies of a CD and call it a moderate success. This was a limited run so even if you wanted this, you couldn't get a copy. You'll have to wait for one of the other selected few to sell their precious copy. Nyah nyah na nah na Reviewed February 11, 2003 |
the
songs: Dancing on Light / (Out of) The Wild Wood / Waiting / Here He
Comes, Second Time / Picture of You / Song of Innocence / Old Time Gospel
Camp Meeting Hour / Picture of You (reprise) / Ever After / Home Movies
(a. Christmas 1980 b. Knowledge & Innocence) / One More Time / Baby's
Heartbeat (6 Months) / Light Princess / Waiting (reprise)
the
songs: Writer's Block / Mr. Flutter / Too Many Angels / Boomtown / You
Told them Exactly What I Didn't Say / Big Shot & Miniature Girl
/ Ten Gallon Hat / Hey John Wayne / Chicken Crosses The Road / You Lay
Down
The
Songs: Broken Ladders To Glory / Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You / Alarma
/ The Glory Road / If You Want To / I'll Get Over It / Driving In England
/ When Everyone Wore Hats / You Lay Down / Walls Of Doubt / John Wayne
/ Zoom Daddy / Safety Net / Let's Spin / Ain't Gonna Fight It / Buffalo
Hills / The Twist
These
are just about the worst romantic mood setting CDs ever released. Even
worse than Jerry Lewis' Live Farts from France (out of print) - Mister
Petomane Jerry ain't (although for whatever reason he won the prestigious
Joseph Pujol Award in 1980 - then again Rush Limbaugh won it in 1996
so there you go).
Tracks:
LiTtle, biG / MOlly Is A MetAphoR / loVeLy LillY loU / Oh, SWeet CoMpaNion
/ RoB's anD CaRoleE'S / maMa's In tHe DesErT, DAddy'S In the Sky 
Tracks:
The Day After Christmas / Plastic Baby Jesus / Fruitcake from Hell /
From the King to the King (Remember) / May I Be Your Bethlehem
The
Songs: Satellite Moon (The Starter Set Demo) / Prayer Warrior (The Starter
Set Demo) / Welcome To The Real World (BMG Demo 2001) / Klaymen's Theme
(Neverhood Demo) / Don't, Do, Maybe (Neverhood Demo) / Celestial Pineapples
(Skullmonkeys Demo) / Unna Walka Walka, Hey! (Skullmonkeys Demo) / Goodie
Bear / Project Geeker Theme / Hamster Theme From "Koghead And Meatus"
/ Lift Up Your Hearts [Sorsum Corda]