OTIS TAYLOR

Recapturing the Banjo

2008-02-17

Otis Taylor's latest is not only great music, it educates and entertains as well. Taylor seeks to "recapture" the banjo for black artists and he gets help from Alvin Youngblood Hart (#2, #7 and #11), Keb Mo (#4 and #14), Guy Davis (#8) and Corey Harris (#5) -- and those songs are simply when they have the lead vocal (they play on many other cuts, too). The excellent liner notes explain that although the banjo was invented by African and African-Americans, whites took over using the instrument and the banjo's appearance in racist minstrel shows turned many blacks away from taking it up as an instrument of choice. Taylor resurrects the banjo's use through some fine numbers, including some you may know, but didn't know the origins ("Walk Right In" and "Hey Joe"). Otis is great as a musician and vocalist; Keb Mo's "Live Your Life" (#4) is a highlight, with Ron Miles doing a cool turn on the cornet. 02/2008 MJVD B-Roots

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 04/2010

    JIMMY THACKERY AND THE DRIVERS
    LIVE IN DETROIT

  • reviewed 11/2016

    JW-Jones
    High Temperature

  • reviewed 10/2010

    ELECTRIC WIRE HUSTLE
    Electric Wire Hustle

  • reviewed 08/2016

    The Maxx Band
    Funk Box

  • reviewed 03/2011

    BIG HEAD BLUES CLUB
    100 YEARS OF ROBERT JOHNSON

  • reviewed 04/2015

    Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
    Fat Man's Shine Parlor

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.