Sean Taylor is the epitome of the old ‘Protest Singer’. He writes songs that tell stories and make you feel and understand his world view – hint, it isn’t exactly right wing. He also make music that is worth listening to even without the polemics. And this may just be his best album ever.
He takes a slant on Trump, ‘Little Donny Returns’ following on his comment in 2017 ‘Little Donny’, in a song that captures the sound of Tom waits while eviscerating the King/President.
His dystopian view of modern Britain – ‘Britains Got Talent’ – is harsh and painfully accurate, taking a pot at everything from the spread of Farage and his Billionaire chums, at music without soul, the raging far right and the dull acquiescence of the British people – all to a slow and plodding jazz beat. Chilling.
‘Seeds’ takes its trigger from the phrase “When they buried us, they didn’t know we were seeds” – calling for the eventual rise of those who are being downtrodden now. A funky but insistent number.
He can be touching and emotive and ‘Everything’ is a beautiful song of devotion and adoration.
His version of ‘All Along The Watchtower’ is close to the Dylan original, bringing the words out and asking Dylan’s questions with new emphasis. Richard Moore plays some beautiful violin alongside Mike Seal on double bass.
Every song grabs your attention. The lyrics are meaningful and poignant, the music is played superbly and all of the musicians used here are top class. The core of Mike Seal on double bass and Paulina Szczepaniak on drums & percussion are tight but swing with the music. Production from Ben Walker is clean and really brings the music out, integrating the lyrics with the playing brilliantly.
I’ve been a fan of Sean Taylor for a few years and he just gets better – less restrained in his opinions, yet the standard of the music has just gone from strength to strength. A superb album and a great start to the year.
