Julian Taylor – Pathways
Julian Taylor has a new album Pathways, produced by Colin Linden. Julian crafts poetic folk and bluesy songs with an easy style and lyrics with optimism and just a touch of lovelorn weariness, the kind that those of us who’ve been through it instantly recognize. With a track featuring Allison Russell on duet vocals, the songs are serious, engaging, uplifting, and stay right on point.
“Weighing Down” speaks to the times that traumas have passed in our lives but we remain on guard, and weighed down: “brick and mortar and solid as the ground, but you’re carrying too much, and slowly breaking down… weighing down, don’t let it weigh you down.” “The way that we choose to look at things is an attitude. Looking at the skyline, tonight I choose gratitude.” This song is a balm for your wounds, with easy pedal steel, acoustic guitar and a contemplative air.
“Love Letters” has a timeless feel, with accordion and a timeless sentiment “Love letters through the ages; Love professed; Love proclaimed… Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” And then he includes “Like Johnny wrote to June.”
“Sixth Line Road” has an uptempo groove, an upbeat, yet dark, bluesy feel and it’s a story of grief and a murder that took place. “Law and order to make the quota, you get knocked down just to get up again.” And it’s a call to take action. The dark side of humanity is exposed here, with a push to protest it.
“Pathways” features Allison Russell on vocal duet with Julian. Allison’s rich vocals entwine quite nicely with Julian’s heartfelt singing. “Be gentle, be kind; Be grateful take time; Remember we’re in this together.” This song soars. “Running Away” is a blues number that asks “how am I supposed to handle all these scars etched in time?”
Julian’s songs reach out to the best within us all. He doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, yet at the same time he stays laser focused on the core of decent humanity within us all, along the journey. Police brutality and injustice can turn into sweet human connection in the call to respond, at Julian’s hands. He understands the essence and aims to guide us to the light. A rare find. Find more details and information here: https://juliantaylormusic.ca/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Interview: Julian Taylor Starts Conversations with “Beyond the Reservoir”
Pathways was produced by Colin Linden; recorded by Darren Matierowsky and Jill Zimmermann at Jukes Studio on Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, and also by Michael Stankiewicz at Pinhead Recorders in Nashville. It was mixed by Colin Linden, with production assistant Janice Powers and Scott Dibble, and mastered by Greg Calibi and Steve Fallen at Sterling Sound.
Musicians on the album are Julian Taylor on guitars and vocals; Colin Linden on harmony vocals, 12-string guitar, electric dobro, bass, mandator, mandolin, harmony vocals and electric guitars; Jamie Dick on drums; Gary Craig on drums and percussion; Viktor Krauss on upright bass; Jim Hoke on pedal steel, harmonica, saxophone and accordion; Janice Powers on B3 organ and keyboards; Brandon Robert-Young on harmonies; and Darcy Yates on bass and upright bass.