Allan Taylor: September 8th 2006
The author of many songs sung in the folk clubs and by other artists. Allan is very popular in Europe and we catch when he is on home territory in Leeds. Allan Taylor says of himself: “I’ve been very lucky in my career, I’ve seen the world. If you go and grab life, put yourself on the edge a few times you’ll develop a certain depth and gravitas to your work." A German admirer writes: “His voice makes your hair stand on end. The way he plays guitar is economical but extremely atmospheric. Allan Taylor’s songs are mystical, melancholic and possess a lot of atmosphere.”
From Allan Taylor’s Website
The following taken from Allan’s website which can be found at www.allantaylor.com
Allan has been a well-known figure on the folk music scene since he started out from Brighton in the early 60s.
Over the decades, Allan Taylor has travelled the world, performing at clubs, gigs and festivals with a good proportion of folk music’s aristocracy (names like Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Alex Campbell, Ralph McTell and Emylou Harris spring to mind).
The quality of Allan Taylor’s song-writing is attested to by dozens of cover versions performed by scores of big name artists across the globe. Among the gallery you’ll find characters as diverse as Fairport Convention, Johnny Silvo, Dick Gaughgan (both recent guests at the Grove Folk Club, and even (god help us!) Nana Moskouri. I was especially delighted to discover recently that his song ‘Sometimes‘ had been covered by that doyen of French Sixties pop, Francoise Hardy.
Like so many on the folk music scene, Allan Taylor’s talents and interests aren’t limited to performance alone. He’s been a regular presenter and expert on TV and radio across Europe, and somehow managed to find time to complete three degrees including a doctorate in ethnomusicology.
Reviews
“He manages to draw you into his own world, sometimes amusing you, at other times disturbing you. His gentle sense of humour wins you over as he regales you with anecdotes. Then, when your guard is down, he gives you a song that leaves you with a lump in your throat.” (Drew McAdam in the Edinburgh Evening News)
“He is an artist, a poet, a singer, call him what you like, but he has the ability to paint pictures using the minimum of words, pictures which demand closer study.” (The Living Tradition)
“Allan Taylor is one of the more literate and sensitive of contemporary songwriters in terms of words and music, and one who is capable of exploring more complex subjects than most of his contemporaries? he should probably be regarded as potentially the most important songwriter of his generation.” (Dr. Frederick Woods, The Oxford Book of Traditional Verse)
Recordings
An extensive list of his recordings are available on his very informative site. You can hear song clips from his album, find out about his songbook and order recordings.