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Sally Taylor - Page 2
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Apt. #6S is a compilation of songs, which portray a return to music rooted in honesty, sincere effort and passion. The band's charisma and growing national popularity ignites a mutual respect and admiration from its building new and existing fan base. Taylor also recognizes that audience contact not only makes the show more enjoyable for the audience, but for the band as well. According to various band sources, the main ingredient to a successful gig is being able to interact with the audience, laugh at a mistake, smile and have fun with a great solo or crisp performance and enjoying the overall moment. "I'm interested in performance art and looking at it as a science, how a performer identifies and then has a relationship with the people (audience). It's a communication process and not necessarily what you're saying in the song, but what you're saying from the heart. The way that I feel about my audience and what I'm trying to convey to the crowd is love yourself and open up the scary places in your heart-- and be free of them." Taylor decided to name her sophomore album Apt. #6S after recalling a humorous childhood memory of growing up in New York City. When items were delivered to her home, a confirmation would be made to send the package to Apartment "6-S." Sally heard it as Apartment "Success," hence, throughout her early childhood she believed she lived in "Success." All of the songs on "Apt. #6S" were written by Taylor (with some songs co-written by Soucy) are believable and heartfelt, especially the classic ode to the regrets felt upon being distanced from a good friend, in "4 Kim." Taylor claimed at a recent show that she and her friend had mended their relationship soon after recording the song and supplying her friend with a copy. Taylor said "4 Kim" is currently the band's consensus choice as the first single to be released from Apt. #6S, though nothing has been confirmed. "Kim this song is for you think you might catch it in the wind that blows up through the valley that we started out in and then maybe you'll sigh, and call me up my old friend -- " From attending multiple shows, a consistent crowd favorite, though particularly spunkier performed live, has been "Convince Me," which provides an upbeat and crisp rhythm featuring younger brother and fellow recording artist Ben Taylor on backing vocals. "You looked into my eyes and you said you saw the future I didn't recognize myself in that reflection you said I would in time and you said you could convince me -- " Ben Taylor, is taking the opposite path of his older sister, as he's signed a contract with the Sony Work Label, and reportedly recording his first album in Europe. In August, Sally recently told fans that she has asked her brother to appear with her during upcoming show this fall on the latest leg of her Apt. #6S Tour, though at this time nothing has been confirmed. An acoustic tune called "Nisa," co-written with Soucy, is a gentle reminder of the high expectations we hold for love as we shift to the 21st Century. "Sit down massage my eyes become the man of my dreams why's it always me who falls for these guys who always leave me here with my pain -- " "Split Decisions" (which also includes brother Ben on backing vocals and showcases a smooth solo by lead guitarist Soucy) and "Strangest of Strangers" have a distinct ready-for-radio feel. Each deal with the intense work the band has embraced as well as the barriers endured in its beginnings. The restless, jazz enticed and unmistakable rhythm of Castro's bass in "Fall For Me" shows the diversity within emotions and roads traveled within Apt. #6S. Taylor is said to also be considering "Fall For Me" a potential song for release-- as a single or perhaps even as a music video. Whether released in format or not, "Fall For Me" is the true sleeper/Cinderella track of the album that may very well be commercially successful to cross over. "Give Me The Strength," will no doubt be a mainstay at future shows, in terms of the uplifting message it contains, about dealing with internal struggles and finding the strength to overcome -- This song has stood alone as a Taylor solo at various shows over the summer, as her lower range is put to the test, demanding our attentiveness. "I can barely life up my head off this pillow I can barely breathe through my lips I can barely see Deep across this lonely harbor And I am home How can I ever find tomorrow Buried in this foggy gray -- " "How Can I," on this album will bring a smile and warmth to mind and soul. A steady beat, with Soucy's admirable handling of the Mandolin, as well as Sally's vocal presence, not to mention whistling skills displayed for our listening enjoyment. "How can I sit by your side all blue in my white on this summer's day? But then baby I'm yours and you You are mine Give me 1,000 tears I'll forgive you this time -- " The poetry-driven of "Without Me;" deep prowess of "March Like Soldiers;" life lessons learned from our mistakes in the bluesy and also co-written with Soucy "40 Years" and the worldly "Immortal" are all vital to create the backbone that is the latest release of the Sally Taylor Band. Moreover, Taylor lends her songwriting on Apt. #6S to focusing on the rise and fall of life's relationships and how she views herself through different perspectives. "I write about what ever emotion is falling out of my heart at the time I sit down with my guitar.
Sally Taylor
There is no doubt the Sally Taylor Band is by far one of the most entertaining, resourceful, talented and accessible independent group to perform in our scene in recent years. And, after attending the Sally Taylor Band's upcoming show in Annapolis at the Rams' Head Tavern -- Soucy believes there is a very good chance you can get your CD signed by Taylor in person, with a smile to boot.
"Sally will spend time after the show talking to everybody in line that wants an autograph, and she's happy to do that. It leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I've never been in a band before that did that. Sally does that every show, it's great to have that kind of passion for what you do."
Based on fan comments and reviews from a long list of shows, the Sally Taylor Band is consistently holding its own and has flourished in generating amazing album sales independently. Sally truly enjoys spending the time to meet her fans, as it is important for her to know and identify with her fans. Besides, as Sally's Uncle Livingston says, "Somehow, an album sounds even better when it's signed."
"My Uncle Liv and I have performed together and it's so great to perform with one of my relatives. And, he's so funny and great. With my Uncle -- I learned from him the routes to a career in music, the different roads to be taken, that there isn't just one, there are many. He took a specific route, and watching that -- as opposed to watching my Mom, my Dad, my Aunt, other family I knew in the industry that all took different routes, I realized -- OK, this is something I can do for myself, on my own. I don't have to just take the way that someone else says is the best, or is already paved. I'm just getting out my own machete and am hacking my own way through this. I have the guts to. And, as it's turned out I did it."
All photos: sallytaylor.com