Julian Taylor – Anthology Vol. 2
Canada has long been a wellspring of exceptional songwriting talent. From the poetic introspection of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen to the narrative mastery of Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young, the country’s musical lineage is rich and enduring. More contemporary voices such as Ron Sexsmith and Sarah McLachlan have carried that torch forward. In the current generation, Julian Taylor stands comfortably among those names—an artist whose work is increasingly spoken of with genuine admiration.
Anthology Vol. 2 is a reflective and far‑reaching collection, tracing the artistic evolution of a musician who has never been content to remain in a single stylistic lane. Spanning 25 years of recordings, the album showcases Taylor’s unwavering dedication to storytelling, organic musicianship, and emotional clarity.
My own introduction to Taylor came through the Americana scene. I first encountered him at the Americana UK Conference, performing at the Moth Club in London in support of his acclaimed album The Ridge, a release that deservedly garnered widespread praise. A couple of years later, I caught him again in Liverpool, where the depth and consistency of his material were unmistakable. This new anthology only reinforces that impression, offering a testament to Taylor’s craft and artistic integrity. Across the collection, he revisits songs born in very different contexts—from early‑career explorations to more recent collaborations—yet they remain unified by recurring themes of love, resilience, kindness, nature, and perseverance.
The album’s focal point is the haunting “Hunger,” a traditional folk song with a distinctly Celtic undercurrent, originally written by Graeme Williamson. Taylor was moved to record it after it was shared with him by friend and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Frank Davies. “When I first heard the song, it was the lyrics that really struck me,” Taylor notes. His reflections on global inequality lend the track a contemporary urgency, and the decision to donate a portion of its sales to the Band Aid Charitable Trust underscores the song’s message.
Recorded in England with longtime friends Sian, Rae, and Michele, and engineered by Dave Williams, Taylor’s interpretation of “Hunger” expands the song’s acoustic roots into a full‑band performance. Captured live in the studio, the arrangement leans into Celtic‑infused folk traditions, resulting in something both timeless and quietly unsettling. Taylor recalls the session fondly: a single day of recording on a beautiful British property, uncertain of the direction but ultimately proud of the outcome. The track’s atmosphere—mysterious, tender, and deeply human—reflects that spontaneity.
As a whole, Anthology Vol. 2 functions both as a retrospective and a reaffirmation. It reminds listeners of the value of following one’s own artistic path, of learning continuously, and of moving forward with curiosity and compassion. With 21 tracks of consistently strong songwriting, it serves as an ideal introduction to a remarkable artist. I’m already looking forward to seeing Julian Taylor perform for a third time.
Get your copy here: https://juliantaylormusic.ca/home
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Julian Taylor “Pathways”