Search - Sam Taylor :: Swingsation

Good in His Own Way

J. G. Gollin | Holmdel, NJ United States | 08/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"References to Taylor's ranking "way up there with Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and the like" and having "a sound that would echo in Birdland NYC" might be somewhat of a reach.I loved Sam (The Man). Each school night, I'd listen to the Alan Freed Rock 'n Roll show on my old Philco and hang in there through all the vocals, doo wop and novelty numbers til the top of the hour when Freed would play an instrumental - usually by Taylor, Red Prysock, Rusty Bryant, Gator Jackson, Bill Doggett, Al Sears, Mickey Guitar Baker or maybe Hal "Cornbread" Singer.Taylor's signature tune was "Cloudburst" - he was featured tenor player for a group John Hendricks claims was led by Leroy Kirkland under the pseudonym, Claude Cloud (& the Thunderclaps). Name of the LP was "Let's Get Cat-Static." Lambert Hendricks and Ross did the cover and made Cloudburst a popular hit.I loved Sam (The Man) for his energy, drive, lyricism and ability to hit high notes on his axe with ease - without squeaking or squealing.But creatively note for note - he wasn't in the same league musically as Miles or Bird. And the closest Sam (The Man)might have gotten musically to Birdland might have been when I saw Jimmy Forrest play there (with Red Garland, Lee Morgan, Wilbur Ware and Philly Joe) and - much to his embarrassment - they made him play "Night Train." No, it's highly unlikely that you'd hear Oo Wee, High Winds or even Cloudburst played at Birdland (unless LHR was the headliner. Then you might get Cloudburst by default). But I loved them all, and I loved Sam (The Man)."