Album Review: Sean Taylor - Walk With Me (Self Release)

Sean Taylor's fourth album begins with the piano accompanied Perfect Candlelight, a new departure for the North London based blues guitarist perhaps, with the sort of underplayed arrangement Ryan Adams would have used for the odd Sylvia Plath for instance. Similarly, For You touches on Taylor's sensitivity as a writer and performer of tender love ballads as he approaches his more delicate side with a suitably frail voice but with an assured confidence. It's not all new departures and heightened sensitivity though as we go on to find the guitarist plough familiar territory with the almost JJ Cale-ish swamp blues Hold On and the infectious So High.

Produced by Trevor Hutchinson (The Waterboys, Sharon Shannon, Eric Bibb, Lunasa), WALK WITH ME compared to either of Taylor's previous three albums, employs a fuller sound with the help of a carefully assembled cast of supporting musicians such as BJ Cole on pedal steel, Vyvienne Long on cello, Justin Caroll on Hammond Organ, Dave Hingerty on drums and Michael Buckley on sax. Despite the expanded band, the arrangements call for space and each of the additional musicians handles those sparse arrangements with an almost intuitive understanding.

The full blown blues of Feel Alright shows that Taylor is just as at home with sweaty rockers as the aforementioned laid back swamp blues but on this album it is kept to a minimum. This is a reflective almost whispered Sean Taylor; suitable for late night listening long after the party is over. With an almost John Martyn-esque take on the traditional She Moved Through the Fair, Taylor proves that a contemporary feel can be applied to a traditional song without losing its haunting appeal.

Sean Taylor's star is definitely on the rise and with major festival appearances under his belt, including Glastonbury, Beverley, Tenby Blues, Broadstairs Folk Week and most recently a showcase performance at the Cambridge Folk Festival, along with an impressive catalogue of support appearances for the likes of John Fogerty, George Benson, Groundhogs, Big Joe Turner and Curved Air, no doubt appealing to a broad selection of audiences, Sean continues to grow as a formidable artist and certainly one to watch.