Few artists have a résumé as eclectic as Chip Taylor's CV. Best known as composer of AM-radio staples "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning," Taylor was a prolific songwriter who penned hits for a variety of roc... more »k, country, and R&B musicians. He also recorded a few cult-classic country-folk albums in the early 1970s (such as Chip Taylor's Last Chance) before embarking on a 20-year stint as a professional gambler. Taylor returned to music in the 1990s, started his own label, and slowly rebuilt a core fan following. This double-disc set proves him to be a quirky and perceptive songwriter in the vein of weathered troubadours like Guy Clark or John Prine. Disc 1, subtitled "London-Electric," has a jangle-rock edge and, though inconsistent in terms of material, offers a couple of gems. Disc 2, however, is the true prize, a wonderful pared-down acoustic set that seems to be the best setting for Taylor's lived-in voice and his very personal, fearless, wistful songs. Lucinda Williams adds her vocal charms on a number of cuts while instrumentalists as diverse as fiddler Tammy Rogers and swing trumpeter Warren Vache (on the simmering blues "Three Alarm Fire") make worthy contributions. The haphazard, off-the-cuff vibe of both discs seems somehow befitting. --Marc Greilsamer« less
Few artists have a résumé as eclectic as Chip Taylor's CV. Best known as composer of AM-radio staples "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning," Taylor was a prolific songwriter who penned hits for a variety of rock, country, and R&B musicians. He also recorded a few cult-classic country-folk albums in the early 1970s (such as Chip Taylor's Last Chance) before embarking on a 20-year stint as a professional gambler. Taylor returned to music in the 1990s, started his own label, and slowly rebuilt a core fan following. This double-disc set proves him to be a quirky and perceptive songwriter in the vein of weathered troubadours like Guy Clark or John Prine. Disc 1, subtitled "London-Electric," has a jangle-rock edge and, though inconsistent in terms of material, offers a couple of gems. Disc 2, however, is the true prize, a wonderful pared-down acoustic set that seems to be the best setting for Taylor's lived-in voice and his very personal, fearless, wistful songs. Lucinda Williams adds her vocal charms on a number of cuts while instrumentalists as diverse as fiddler Tammy Rogers and swing trumpeter Warren Vache (on the simmering blues "Three Alarm Fire") make worthy contributions. The haphazard, off-the-cuff vibe of both discs seems somehow befitting. --Marc Greilsamer
CD Reviews
A sprawling masterpiece
C. Knoblock | New York | 02/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally, a U.S. release for this remarkable record. Over two discs and 25+ songs, Chip demonstrates the wide range of his writing talent. The first disc is full of pop-rock gems, sounding sort of like John Prine on the harder tunes from The Missing Years. And the second disc, while based mostly in alt-country, is stylistically all over the place. Tying it all together is the quality of the writing. An absolute must have."
STUNNING.
Jonathan Lyness | New York, NY United States | 06/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one phenomenal set of discs -- can't stop listening to it. As with all of Chip's work, the songs are beautifully written and performed, and very heartfelt and haunting. The acoustic duet with Lucinda Williams will break your heart! More people deserve to know about this album. Buy this one...you won't regret it."
An eclectic tour-de-force
David C. Knoblock | Philadelphia | 03/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A friend played the first disc of this album for me a few weeks ago and I had to go out and get it. I wasn't expecting that the second disc would be even better. In some ways, it reminds me of Neil Young using both electric and acoustic music to best serve the individual song. And you can tell that Taylor follows his own path - the songs are intelligent and quirky in the best sense of the word. This deserves better than to become an undiscovered gem."
Likely best of the year
David C. Knoblock | Philadelphia | 02/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although it's obviously very early, I think The London Sessions will end up being my favorite record of the year. I read about Taylor in People magazine a few weeks ago and took a chance with buying the CD. I'm glad I did. From the first track, Head First - a top-notch rocker to the final quirky hidden track, it is consistently entertaining and surprising. Just when you think you can peg Taylor into some sort of niche, he comes up with something totally different and cool. Now I have to check out his other previous records to see if this was just a fluke."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1