Larry Taylor and The Taylor Family with The Soul Blues Healers – Generations of Blues; West Side Legacy
NOLA Blue Records
13 tracks
NOLA Blue Records pays homage to a significant blues lineage with the release of "Generations of Blues; West Side Legacy" by Larry Taylor and The Taylor Family with The Soul Blues Healers. A familial celebration of the late Eddie Taylor, Sr.'s centennial birthday, this album brings together the talents of Eddie's descendants to revisit and revitalize blues classics that echo through the corridors of Chicago's west side.
The Taylor family's blues journey began when Eddie Taylor, Sr. and Vera migrated from Mississippi to Chicago, laying the foundation for a musical legacy that spans generations. In this album, Larry Taylor and The Soul Blues Healers, including siblings Brenda and Demetria, alongside Larry's son Dullah (Liljet2X), converge to breathe new life into songs from their parents' era. The recording sessions took place in 2015 and 2017, serving as a dedicated celebration to Eddie Senior's 100th birthday, which would have fallen on January 29 of the release year.
Larry Taylor, taking on vocals and drums, alongside Eddie Junior on guitar, guides the family ensemble through a heartfelt exploration of their musical roots. Sisters Brenda and Demetria contribute their vocals, while Liljet2X adds a contemporary touch with a rap on one track.
Notable contributors and guests enrich the album, with Matthew Skoller on harmonica, Abraham Avery and Michael "Sleepy" Riley sharing bass duties, and a diverse group of guest guitarists and keyboardists.
The album kicks off with Larry's rendition of "She Treats Me Just The Same," delivering a classic Chicago blues sound with stinging guitar courtesy of Joe Brinson. The familial homage continues with Eddie Junior taking the lead on their father's "Take Your Hand Down," featuring Skoller's adept harmonica playing and engaging piano work.
The Taylor siblings showcase their vocal prowess, with Demetria infusing passion into their father's "Bad Girl," and Brenda delivering a soulful performance of J.B. Lenoir's "Talk to Your Son." Junior's bluesy vocals and guitar shine on Senior's "Big Town Playboy," and Brenda takes the reins again on Magic Sam's "You Belong To Me."
Larry Taylor contributes his own compositions to the mix, with "Penitentiary Blues" featuring killer guitar work from Ray Allison and "I Paid My Dues" receiving collaborative support from Brinson, the horns, and organ. Liljet2X introduces a contemporary twist with his rap on "No Shine," showcasing the evolving facets of the Taylor family's musical journey.
The album concludes on a high note with the instrumental "Larry & Eddie Jr. Groove (Blues In The Rain)," a fitting tribute to the family's legacy. With Junior's ringing guitar, Skoller's soulful harp, and cascading piano, the track encapsulates the essence of Eddie Senior's influence.
"Generations of Blues; West Side Legacy" is more than a musical album; it's a family reunion, a testament to the enduring spirit of west side blues. The Taylor family succeeds in preserving and celebrating the blues tradition passed down through their ancestors, making this record a greasy and delightful homage that will resonate with lovers of authentic Chicago blues.
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