The only sister of James, Livingstone, Hugh, and Alex, Kate Taylor’s 1971 debut album ‘Sister Kate’ was not just a great listen, it was also a significant recording in the development of the ‘70s LA sound epitomised by the production work of UK producer Peter Asher. It was only the second record to include the now legendary LA crew of musicians that included the likes of Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Danny Kortchmar. Despite being in at the ground level of what was then a new and exciting sound, Kate Taylor didn’t release another album until 1978 before dropping out of the music industry for over twenty years in 1979 after the release of her third album which was recorded in Muscle Shoals. She has released infrequent albums in the 21st Century culminating in 2021’s ‘Why Wait’ which is a reunion with producer Peter Asher and the LA musicians of the ‘70s and is also a celebration of that time and sound.
Serendipity played a part in Kate Taylor getting to know Scottish musician and bassist Alan Thomson, who has his own impressive CV and provides backing for Kate Taylor’s US and European Tour. Alan Thomson’s cousin was John Martyn and he played bass with Martyn for the final thirty years of his career, he has also played with a whole host of musicians including The Hellecasters, Robert Palmer, Phil Collins, Hank Marvin, Bert Jansch, Dick Gaughan, Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre, Rick Wakeman, Amos Garrett, and many, many more.
by Martin Johnson, September 29, 202
Tracks
1. Home Again (Carole King) - 2:18
2. Ballad Of A Well Known Gun (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) - 4:42
3. Be That Way (Livingston Taylor) - 2:51
4. Handbags And Gladrags (Mike D'Abo) - 3:25
5. You Can Close Your Eyes (James Taylor) - 2:34
6. Look At Granny Run, Run (Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman) - 2:49
7. Where You Lead (Carole King, Toni Stern) - 2:27
8. White Lightning (Jape Richardson) - 2:40
9. Country Comfort (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) - 3:39
10.Lo And Behold/Jesus Is Just All Right (James Taylor, A. Reid Reynolds) - 2:22
11.Do I Still Figure In Your Life (Pete Dello) - 2:19
12.Sweet Honesty (Beverley Martyn) - 6:31
Personnel
*Kate Taylor - Vocals, Clapping
*Peter Asher - Vocals, Backing Vocals, Clapping
*John Beland - Guitar
*Merry Clayton - Vocals, Backing Vocals, Background Music
*Sandra Crouch - Percussion, Tambourine
*Oma Drake - Vocals, Backing Vocals, Background Music
*Abigale Haness - Vocals
*Gail Haness - Backing Vocals, Background Music
*John Hartford - Banjo
*Carole King - Piano, Vocals, Backing Vocals, String Arrangements, Background Music
*Danny Kortchmar - Guitar, Percussion, Conga, Backing Vocals
*Russ Kunkel - Drums
*Charles Larkey - Bass
*Bernie Leadon - Guitar
*The Memphis Horns - Horn, Horn Arrangements
*Wayne Jackson - Horn, Horn Arrangements
*Andrew Love - Horn, Horn Arrangements
*Joel O'brian - Drums
*Donna Prater - Vocals, Backing Vocals
*Linda Ronstadt - Vocals, Backing Vocals, Background Music
*Ralph Schuckett - Organ, Piano, Accordion, Keyboards
*Leland Sklar - Bass
*J.D. Souther - Guitar, Vocals, Clapping
*John Tartaglia - Strings, String Arrangements
*James Taylor - Guitar
