Search - Otis Taylor :: White African

Hansen's Polar Opposite

James T. Heeney | Montclair, NJ United States | 07/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You may remember the fresh-faced blonde-locked duo that brought us the smash hit "Mmmm-bop" a few years back. Well, let's place Mr. Taylor at the other end of the musical spectrum. From the album cover he seems to gaze down at us from hooded eyes, wearing an expression of both intensity and weariness, age and wisdom.Play the disk and it immediately becomes apparent that Taylor draws upon his intensity and wisdom to meld eloquent songs of pain and beauty, suffering and hope, despair and triumph. A master of acoustic string instruments (guitar, mandolin, banjo), Taylor's blues fit squarely within the tradition of the genre, but the power of his feeling and deftness of composition give the music a freshness and immediacy that is surprising at a time when it is easy to feel that the limits of creativity have been exhausted.Perhaps the best example of his work from the cd is the first cut, "My Soul's in Louisiana," a paean for a hobo who was shot by police in retribution for a murder he did not commit. Every chord is heartfelt, each lyric chilling. As you fall into the pulse of the rhythm guitar and the clatter of the train (sampled in), you'll join Taylor on a fascinating journey both musical and spiritual."

Otis tells the Truth

Mitchell Lopate | Silverdale, WA | 12/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is about testimony, people, and you will not turn your back and say, "That's not my problem." It's about legacies...of violence, pain, hate, suffering...in the name of heritage; in the name of raw apathy...in the name of ignorance. In Otis Taylor's big hands, plucking and strumming on an electric banjo, mandolin, or acoustic guitar, it's a way to cry out for justice-and mercy and forgiveness. They don't make prophets like this anymore-they did once upon a time, but that was back in biblical days. If there was a reason to listen to this man's songs, it's because he wears the dust of history on his physical body and within his heart, and along with that, the crimes of passion that have been done in the name of righteous intention.

These songs are about commitment: a way to remind us that we have choices to make in our lives, both individually and as a social unit. The actions that we make can come back with a sword or an olive branch-and thankfully, Otis has a gentle way with his power, especially from a man who can stare into your soul from the cover photo of White African. His companions are right beside him like avenging angels: Kenny Passarelli's thudding, plodding bass, holding the chains and shackles of generations, daughter Cassie Taylor's ghostly backup vocals that moan through the leaves on the trees on a hot moonless night, and Eddie Turner's tortured slide and lead guitar. Yes, the obvious comparison is to John Lee Hooker-but Otis's strength is that he's doing it his way. You'll feel it too, once Otis lays his music on you."

Ancient Blues Masterpiece

Mitchell Lopate | 03/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Except for the sounds of trains, My Soul's in Lousiana, baby crying, 3 Days & 3 Nights, and thunder, Rain so Hard, this could have been recorded in the 20s with a single microphone hung from the ceiling of a cheap hotel room. This is straight ahead, gut level blues, the real stuff, not watered down 4th generation drivel.Great guitar and banjo work, but no overblown guitar heroics. If you listen to Lightnin Hopkins, Howling Wolf, Leadbelly, Mance Lipscomb this is for you. This is the Blues, straight, no chaser. Dark, stark and bone chilling."