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Three Highlander Releases in The Roots Music Report's
Top 50 New York Album Chart for the Week of Dec 19, 2020 <read more>
Tales From the Psychedelta
Blue Blast Magazine Review
December 91, 2020 - John Mitchell
This is a thoroughly enjoyable album of slide-driven music that runs the gamut from acoustic to full-on electric blues. The siren call of blues-rock is mainly avoided and throughout the album Kerry demonstrates that he is a master of the slide guitar.
Legacy
Richard Ludmerer’s Top Indie Blues Albums of 2020
December 9, Issue 292
For over forty years slide guitar guru Kerry Kearney has dominated the Metropolitan New York blues scene. Numerous accolades including induction into the New York Blues Hall of Fame are among his many achievements. Kearney's latest release Tales From The Psychedelta is twelve tracks of high octane blues showcasing his slide guitar virtuosity. From the blistering album opener "Five Time Man" through the final track "Schaefer Time/Duck House" his deft slide guitar playing is on full display. Worth further listening on Tales From The Psychedelta are the hard charging "Mississippi River Stomp" the soulful acoustic slide blues "Thank You Jesus" with the Great Sam Taylor on vocals and the powerful blues rocker "Runnin" Weepin' Tremblin'". Covers of Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "Mean Old Frisco" and a dazzling version of the traditional blues classic "Lawdy Mama" score here as well. Mixing blues, folk, roots and rock Kerry Kearney has created his own psychedelic gumbo with his latest album Tales From The Psychedelta.
A slide guitar master out of New York, Kerry has won numerous awards, and this set may well win him a lot more fans. The opener, ‘Five Time Man’ reminds me a little of Cream live in 1968, in sound, tone and approach, with its strong groove and lengthy guitar improvisation. ‘Fatherless Boy’ follows, a much quieter, bluesy, country-inflected piece, whilst the opening notes of ‘Mississippi River Stomp’ announce that Kerry has plugged back in in no uncertain terms. ‘Trouble In Mind’ and ‘Mean Old Frisco’ show that Kerry is aware of the blues standards and how to play them pretty straight whilst also adding his own flavour, and ‘Thank You, Jesus’ also has a vintage, strongly traditional sound. The slow-to-mid-tempo blues ‘Runnin’, Weepin’, Tremblin’ is kind of downhome blues-rock, nicely rough but with plenty of fiery guitar work and Kerry’s vocal is possibly his best of the set (and he’s a good singer). ‘Memphis High’ heads back into blues-rocking territory, again with fine if short breaks for harmonica and piano (as already heard on ‘Mississippi River Stomp’). ‘Voodoo Down The River’ is a little like Alligator-era Lonnie Brooks—“high energy blues” as we called it back then—and ‘Lawdy Mama’ is a throbbing electric slide guitar feast, though staying firmly on the blues side. Then, ‘World Train’ has a fine knockabout approach and some fine blues mandolin and harp, and the final number is a delicate solo acoustic blues. The CD title and some tracks might suggest a blues-rocker, but Kerry keeps it on the blues side throughout. It means that in fact this is rather a fine modern blues set, well worth your attention.
The blues are everywhere. This funky slice of heaven comes from Long Island. Legacy honors the soulful legacy of the band’s founder while kicking some ass along the way.
Sam “Bluzman” Taylor began his musical career while stationed at the Westhampton Beach Air Force Base. A singer, songwriter, producer and actor he performed with Joey Dee & The Starlighters, wrote songs for Maxine Brown and BT Express and was the musical director for Otis Redding, The Isley Brothers and The Drifters. Sam passed away in 2009, but his ‘legacy’ continues.
A Band Called Sam includes his daughter Sandra at the mic, a fiercely talented blues belter whose voice is supple, rich, forceful and when called for downright ballsy, a cross between Shemekia Copeland and Katie Webster. The band is loaded with uncommonly talented musicians; Sam Taylor’s grandson Lawrence Worrell on vocals and guitar, drummer Mario Staino, bassist Gary Grob, Gary Sellars on vocals and guitar, and Danny Kean on keys and vocals. To find out some of the cool cats they’ve played with, check out the website at the end of this review. Not sure who is playing horns on Legacy or who wrote their charts but the bright stabs & funky lines make the album more delicious.
Three things stand out to make Legacy a compelling listen; Sandra’s fierce vocals, some great blues guitar playing and a supple, sinewy rhythm section that stretches and pulls while somehow managing to stay deep in the pocket. If Sam Taylor, wherever he is, can somehow hear what his daughter and the guys are up to, it’s a safe bet he’s beaming with pride and dancing on a cloud. This disc also manages the nifty trick of sounding old school and timeless all at once, quite a feat if you can pull it off, although Funny is a doo-wop ballad that really takes you back.
Legacy packs a powerful punch and the deft, stunning musicianship makes repeated listens a must. I’m lovin’ it!
Tales from the Psychedelta by Kerry Kearney is certainly not a compilation album, but allows this guitarist to show several styles of Delta Blues, always with his masterful slide guitar at the center. For those who do not yet know Kerry Kearney or do not know what PSYCHEDELTA is, this is an exceptional and surprising opportunity.
Eric Schuurmans
Kerry Kearney "Tales From The Psychedelta"
Kerry's signature guitar sound arouses emotions and is inspiring at the same time. Once you've heard this sound, you can't get rid of it. The album "Tales From The Psychedelta" is absolutely worth listening to song for song and will cast a spell over you. This is blues from its powerful side, let yourself be surprised.
With a musical career spanning more than forty years and a cabinet full of prizes and nominations, this New Yorker has built up a considerable reputation. After backing work with Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane), he formed his first band in 1990 and the first album was released six years later. He is less known as someone like Sonny Landreth, but among other musicians he is a much appreciated colleague. Kerry Kearney is for many one of the best slide guitarists of our time and he shows that on his recently released album “Tales From The Psychedelta”. It is his eighteenth album.
“Tales From The Psychedelta” is a collection of twelve songs, all before heard on previous albums and now re-edited by Chris Wallitsch. Although I’m not much of a fan of editing and re-releasing old material myself, I have to admit that a great job has been done here. Considering that some of Kearney’s earlier albums are no longer
available, this is a great way to enjoy his earlier work. And enjoy, that is what the listener does. On the CD we hear a combination of own work and well-edited covers. It starts with “Five Time Man” and “Fatherless Boy”, from his debut album from 1996. In it, Kearney immediately shows that he is indeed a more than excellent slide guitarist and is also a good singer. Other songs that deserve a special mention are “Thank You, Jesus”, a duet with Sam “Bluzman” Taylor, who passed away in 2009, the magnificent “Memphis High” and the beautiful closing song, the acoustic “Schaefer Time / Duck House”, in which he shows that he has mastered fingerpicking as well as slide. A beautiful CD and a very fine anthology by Kearney.
A Band Called Sam Legacy (Highlander Records) Appropriately named, Legacy pays tribute to the late great Sam “Bluzman” Taylor. The album features nine of Sam’s original songs with the vocals of his daughter, Sandra Taylor, an inductee into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, and his grandson, Lawrence “L*A*W” Worrell, joining in on vocals, along with playing lead and rhythm guitar. “Voice of The Blues” starts the set and it’s a great intro into most of the band: Gary Sellers on lead, LAW on rhythm, Danny Kean on keys, Fender Rhodes, and synth horns, Mario Staiano on drums and Gary Grob on bass. “Next in Line” is next and it starts with some spectacular harmony from Sandra Taylor and Angela Canini, has a fine guitar solo by LAW and shows the talent of Kean on the organ & Fender Rhodes. Up comes “Good to Ya” with LAW taking on lead vocals in the funky style of Curtis Mayfield’s Super Fly. “Mother Blues” – very smooth and laid back; a nice interlude before “Hole in Your Soul” with its powerful harmony from Sandra & LAW, and a great keys solo by Kean. “Devil in Your Eyes” and “Nothing in The Street” feature Sandra & Angela blending harmonies – I flashed back to Jada Amy singing in the Randy Oxford Band on both songs. “Funny” was originally written for Maxine Brown – it reached #3 on the R&B charts in ’61 – and she is soulful as the lead singer at the young age of 80 with Sandra joining her! Last, but not least, is “Stinger” [“My name is Sam – S A M”] – a fine R&B tune that reminds me of “Funky Broadway” by Duke Williams & the Extremes – with some fine axe work by LAW closing out the set. LEGACY is a “GET IT” album! These great musicians show their respect to a master – so GO OUT & GET IT!! Ray Kurth (w/ collaboration from Joseph Sestrich)
When the legendary Sam "Bluzman" Taylor passed away in 2009 his band decided to keep performing his music and carrying on his legacy. A Band Called Sam has kept his spirit alive and has released a new album of Taylor's music titled Legacy. A Band Called Sam includes Sam's daughter Sandra Taylor (vocals), Sam's grandson Lawrence "LAW" Worrell (guitar/vocals), Mario Staino (drums), Gary Grob (bass), Gary Sellars (guitar/vocals) and Danny Kean (keys/vocals). Guests helping out on the album include Richie Cannata (Billy Joel) on Saxophone and vocalists Angela Canini and the legendary Maxine Brown in whose band Sam Taylor served as music director. Check out the sweet sounds of "Voice Of The Blues", the soulful "Hole In Your Soul", the piano and organ driven slow blues churner "Mother Blues" along with "Good To Ya" and "Stinger" both featuring LAW on lead vocals. Sandra Taylor and Canini share the vocal mic on "Next In Line", "Devil In Your Eyes" and "Nothing In The Street" and Brown and Taylor duet on the weeper "Funny" all with amazing results. Throughout the album Sandra Taylor shines with a dose of soul, sass and sexiness that makes for a lethal combination. It's great to see the music of Sam "Bluzman" Taylor being kept alive with A Band Called Sam and their new album Legacy.
Review:
Tales from the Psychedelta
Volume 44/Number 329
September 21, 2020
MIDWEST RECORD
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
midwestrecord.com
A white boy with the blues that's been tearing it up in New York for 40 years and in the blues/jam band underground gets the chance to let the rest of the country hear what's been bubbling under all this time. A killer slide player that has all the moves right in his heart and soul delivers loads of blistering soul on this extravaganza. Hot and heavy stuff no self respecting Allman fan can pass up, this is some wonderful, badass stuff.
Review: Legacy
September 2020
ADRIAN WEBB
Sound Waves Magazine
Volume 30, Issue 9
swaves.com
Dear Readers, for those of you who are familiar with my work it’s very rare that I “gush” about a musician or band so here’s a spoiler alert… I reallyreally like “A Band Called Sam”. This is a tribute band of sorts to the legendary blues performer Sam “The Bluzman” Taylor. His accomplishments span from performing with Joey Dee and The Starlighters, songwriting for Maxine Brown and B.T. Express, to being musical director for performers like Otis Redding, The Isley Brothers, and The Drifters. Truly an amazing, multitalented artist. BUT WAIT !! This isn’t your typical tribute fan-band that plays like the target artist note for note. No, these are seasoned, and highly respected musicians in their own right that take the music of Sam Taylor and add their own musical arrangement and playing style to enhance the blues texture of Sam’s work. Most of the band were actual members of the original Sam Taylor Band and played with him for years such as Sam’s daughter Sandra Taylor, a recording singer in her own right. She share’s lead vocals with Angela Canini and Maxine Brown. Sam’s grandson Lawrence “LAW” Worrell, singer and guitarist, has traveled the world with Sam, and has also been on tour with Amy Winehouse. Gary Grob, bassist, has also played and traveled with Sam. Mario Staino, drummer, plays across the globe with Savoy Brown as well as being a drummer for other artists. Gary Sellars, Sam’s protégé, plays guitar and sings. He has his own band that plays across Long Island and New York City. Danny Kean, keyboardist and vocalist, has played with Stevie Cochran, and Richie Cannata on Tenor Sax who is also a music producer, a multi-instrumentalist, and owns Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, NY where this CD was recorded. He is most notable for playing Sax for Billy Joel for years before opening Cove City Sound Studios. OK, Lets get to the music. From the first track “Voice of the Blues” you immediately hear the overall quality of the recording. Nice to hear sound engineers that know what they’re doing. The most amazing is the horn section that consists of Richie Cannata playing Tenor Sax with Danny Kean who is actually filling in the other horns via synth. What does that mean? Cannata is the only one with a horn. Kean is filling in the other horns via a midi keyboard. From what I understand Kean did the horn arrangements and anyone who has read my reviews knows that I hold a special respect for music arrangers. They have to arrange each musician within the context of the music to get the right sound. I hear myself getting too technical here so lets get to my next favorite, track 4 “Mother Blues” is what I like to call a slow, comfortable bump & grind blues rendition. Picture a small, smokey blues club and sipping on Kentucky Bourbon and just taking it all in. That’s where “Mother Blues” puts you, and not a bad place to be. Tracks 5 “Hole in your Soul” and 7 “Nothing in the Street” have amazing horns and by the way the horns on track 7 is all Danny Kean on synth. You go it, no actual horns playing at all – just a midi-keyboard. Amazing! Next is track is 6 “Devil in our Eyes”. I dare you to try and sit still. I can picture the band playing at NYC Blue Note and driving the staff crazy because the patrons are all dancing in the isles. Track 8 is a 50’s style ballad with co lead vocals Sandra Taylor and Maxine Brown, and Richie Cannata on Tenor Sax. It brought me back to “Mel’s Diner” on Happy Days. I really enjoyed it. Finally track 8 “Stinger” spotlights the talents of Lawrence “LAW” Worrell, who takes center stage with lead guitar, and lead vocals on this more funk than blues rendition. Rhythm guitarist Gary Sellers and Bassist Gary Grob do a great job of assisting drummer Mario Staino with the overall feel of this song. A Band Called Sam, “Legacy” CD can be found at highlanderrecords.com/shop for $15.00. I give this CD a Strong Buy rating. Money well spent. You won’t be disappointed.
Review: Legacy
September 2020
ERIC SCHUURMANS
Rootstime.be
Sam "Bluzman" Taylor aka Samuel Willis Taylor Jr. (1934-2009), son of jazz and blues saxophonist Sam “the Man” Taylor, was an American blues singer-songwriter, producer and actor. Sam began his music career while serving in the military while stationed at Westhampton Beach Air Force Base, not far from the Long Island blues scene. His musical performances range from performing with Joey Dee & the Starlighters, Drifters and The Rascals, to songwriting and band leader. Taylor wrote hundreds of songs, many of them hits and some even gold records such as "Do It 'Til You're Satisfied" performed by the BT Express. Taylor has worked with Freddie King, Son Seals, Jimmy Witherspoon, Jay & The Americans, Joey Dee, Maxine Brown and Joe Tex. He has also been a band leader / guitarist for Big Joe Turner, Isley Brothers, Tracy Nelson, Otis Redding and Sam & Dave, among others, as well as an esteemed singer with Joey Dee & The Starliters. Sam returned to Long Island until he died in 2009. Sam Taylor still lives on in A Band Called Sam, who guards his “legacy” on Long Island and beyond. The band consists of: Sam's daughter, singer Sandra Taylor. Sandra also sings with the studio band The Toys and The Cookies. There is also Sam's grandson, singer and guitarist Lawrence ”LAW” Worrell. He has traveled the world with his father and George Clinton (Parliament Funkadelic) and Amy Winehouse. His own ensemble is called Planet12. Drummer is Mario Staino (Savoy Brown, Kerry Kearney), bassist is Gary Grob and guitarist is Gary Sellars, Sam's protégé. Danny Kean, keyboardist and singer, has played with Stevie Cochran. (To avoid any misunderstanding: 'The Magic Sam Legacy' is a compilation of previously unreleased songs by the American blues musician Magic Sam (1937-1969), recorded in Chicago between 1966 and 1968 and released by the Delmark label in 1989. A Band Named Sam recorded their debut album 'Legacy', featuring nine Sam Taylor compositions. The album opens with the appropriate “Voice of the Blues”. It will be a soulful swinging duet between Sandra and Lawrence, with infectious punches on guitar. The “Next in Line” also says a lot, “Good to Ya” is very funky because of the wah-wah’s and the slow blues “Mother Blues (Papa Blues)”, introduced on piano by Danny Kean, the first quiet intermezzo. With the shuffle “Devil in Your Eyes” everything sounds cheerful, “Nothing in the Streets” is very soulful because of the horns, “Funny” a beautiful emotional ballad and “Stinger”, the closing track, some extra funky very danceable soul . With "Legacy", daughter, grandson and A Band Called Sam respectfully pay tribute to legend Sam "Bluzman" Taylor. The future will tell whether this story will be continued in the studio. "With" Legacy ", daughter, grandson and A Band Called Sam respectfully pay tribute to legend Sam"
Review: Legacy
August 26 2020
RICHARD LUDMERER
Making A Scene Magazine
Issue 277
Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and bandleader Samuel Willis Taylor, Jr. a.k.a. Sam “Bluzman” Taylor was born in 1934 in Crichton, a suburb of Mobile, Alabama. He was the son of jazz and blues saxophonist Sam “The Man” Taylor, but was raised by his mother a vaudevillian. They moved to Brooklyn and as a child he began singing in church; later he trained as a boxer while serving in the Air Force on Long Island. After leaving the service Taylor decided to pursue a career in music. Taylor released his debut album “The Tunnels of My Mind” in 1969; before relocating to Santa Monica, California where he first formed “A Band Called Sam”. Read More
Review: Legacy
August 31, 2020
FRED DELFORGE
ZicaZic.com
France
It is to pay tribute to Sam “Bluzman” Taylor, author, composer, producer and artist from Long Island who died in 2009 that his daughter, grandson and some of his relatives and former musicians created A Band Call Sam and recorded this album in which they revisit in their own way the titles of the one who accompanied Joey Dee & The Starlighters, composed for Maxine Brown and BT Express and provided artistic direction for Otis Redding, The Isley Brothers and The Drifters! Composed of Sandra Taylor on vocals, Lawrence Worrell on vocals and guitars, Gary Sellars on guitars, Danny Kean on keyboards, Gary Grob on bass and Mario Staino on drums, artists some of whom have performed with George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic, Amy Winehouse, Savoy Brown, Kerry Kearney or Stevie Cochran, A Band Called Sam comes to serve us on a silver platter treasures of blues, rhythm'n'blues and soul by not only putting the forms but adding art to the style. The guitars shine with a thousand lights, occasionally distill small funky clusters, superbly supported by ivories that never cease to cause a sensation, and it is carried by two beautiful voices but also on occasion by ingeniously served brass that titles like "Voice Of The Blues", "Good To Ya", "Hole In Your Soul", "Nothing In The Streets" or "Funny" and "Stinger" hit the mark each time. Read More.
Review: Legacy
September 2020
IAN K. MCKENZIE
BluesInTheSouth.com
Review: Legacy
Volume 44/Number 299
August 22, 2020
MIDWEST RECORD
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
midwestrecord.com
A BAND CALLED SAM/Legacy: delivers the goods in a set that lights the fuse and keeps the party going all night long. Just pure bred rocking and rollicking that keeps the night alive, they bring the good times, all you have to bring is you. On the money. (Highlander)
Jack's Waterfall is the name that musician Jack Licitra uses as his musical nom de guerre whether as an ensemble or a solo performer. For his latest release titled Faith Love Hope Licitra handles almost all the instruments and vocals along with help from producer Sean Power and a smattering of guests. The twelve song album is a mix of country, folk rock, alternative and some blue eyed soul for a comfortable pleasing sound highlighted by Licitra stellar vocals. The album kicks off with the country flavored patriotic anthem “This Country's Gonna Rise” followed by the aptly titled yacht rock love song "Love Song" which would have been a hit in that genre’s heyday. Other highlights from the album include the nostalgic “This Town”, “Every True Dancer”, the haunting piano ballad “1972” with violin from guest Brian Chabza, the churchy “7, 8, 9” with excellent background vocals from Camryn Quinlan, the country pop confection “See Her Again” and “A Reason” which reinforces the positive message in the album’s title. The album also has two remixed alternate versions of “Every True Dancer” and “This Country’s Gonna Rise” which close out the album.
Kerry Kearney Band Nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Band 2020 Independent Blues Artist Awards
Review: Faith Hope Love
Volume 44/Number 221
June 6, 2020
MIDWEST RECORD
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
midwestrecord.com
JACK’S WATERFALL/Faith Hope Love: A smart later day folkie that follows in the tradition of the 70s stars that redefined the genre, whether singer/songwriter or alt.country, this cat has a smart pen and knows how to deliver a song that cuts to the chase to makes its point. A keen observer, this crew keeps its eye on the ball and hits it out of the park. Well done!
(Highlander)