JANUARY 27, 2005

BEAUTIFUL ROAD *** 3 STARS

Lost and found: A heartfelt folk-rock gem from James Taylor's sister

An overlooked gem that was originally released in 2002, Kate Taylor's
first full-length since 1979 has a handcrafted aura and a bittersweet
back story. Beautiful Road was co-produced and largely written by
Taylor's husband, Charlie Witham, who took ill during its making and
died shortly after. Yet
Taylor projects spiritual resilience on ultimately uplifting songs such
as the chiming, heavily allusive title track: the folk-gospel lament, "I
will fly" (on which she's joined by her famous brother, James); and
Randall Bramblett's redemptive anthem "Flying in the Face of Mr. Blue."
She's aided throughout by a talented cast, including bassist and
co-producer Tony Garnier (from Bob Dylan's band), Levon Helm, Chuck
Leavell and Mavis Staples, whose participation tacitly attests to the
healing power of community.

Key Track "I Will Fly"

Editorial Reviews

Timothy White, Editor in Chief, BILLBOARD Magazine, November 13th, 1999
"Kate’s reedlike alto shimmers and glides upon the acoustic guitar accompaniment and backing harmony of brother James".

Barbara Dacey, DP at WMVY, as quoted in BILLBOARD Magazine, July 13th, 2002
"[Beautiful Road] just sparkles on the air . . . It showcases Kate's diversity and sounds fantastic as a whole."

GREAT RECORD, August 7, 2002
Reviewer: A music fan from NORTH VERSAILLES, PA United States It is great to have new music from Kate. The entire record is simply fantastic. It has been a long wait, but this record is a true labor of love. Kate sounds great. "Sister Kate" is a classic and this is a new masterpiece.

Maverick Magazine

Kate Taylor
Beautiful Road
Front Door Records
****

How long should you leave between albums? One year? Two years? Twenty-three? For Kate Taylor, it was a question of priorities, and raising her family came first. So, having made three records in the 1970s for the Atlantic and Columbia labels and while brothers James and Livingstone continued their musical careers, Kate put music making on hold until 1999 when she released her version ofAuld Lang Syne as a single. In time for the millennium, it was intended to be a teaser for an album to be completed the following spring. Initially the project was beset by delays and then, tragically, by husband Charles Witham's chronic illness and death in September 2001. Eventually, however, the project was completed and BEAUTIFUL ROAD was released last year on Kate's own Front Door Records.

Very much her musical partner as well as husband, Witham co-produced the album along with bass player (and Bob Dylan musical director) Tony Gamier, and wrote six of the twelve songs. Despite the inclusion of Auld Long Syne, the result is far from being a traditional folk album. Rather it varies from modern folk (I Will Fly, Beautiful Road), to the bluesy (Blue Tin Suitcase), gospel- influenced (Rain on the Water) and even, dare I say it, AOR (Flying in the Face of Mr Blue). The song writing is literate and thoughtful and while the lyrics are sometimes highly specific- Shores of Paradise recalls a particular view Witham loved— the themes explored, such as love, loss and life, are ones to which anyone can relate.

Kate Taylor is a fine singer and she brings a depth of understanding to her material, particularly the title track, a lovely melodic song about the journey of life. On this Kate is joined by Mavis Staples of the gospel/rhythm and blues band The Staples Singers and an early musical inspiration. Brother James also helps out on I Will Fly, and there are guest appearances by Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell and Levon Helm of The Band. Varied and well executed, with attention paid to detail, this is an accomplished album by a fine musician. Worth the wait.

Caroline Dale-Risk
Maverick Magazine
Jan 2003
www.maverick-country.com

KATE TAYLOR
Beautiful Road
Front Door (FDR CDR333)
Among the musical Taylor siblings, Kate (like her late brother Alex) has had a much lower profile than James and Livingston. Beautiful Road, her first album since 1979, is worth the wait.
Road’s 10 songs travel from contemporary folk to white soul to rock with Levon Helm’s mandolin, Mavis Staples’ gospel/soul vocals and brother James’s counterpoint harmonies for help. The unheard presence is Kate’s husband/partner of 27 years, Charles Witham, whose six compositions reveal—like the late Kate Wolf’s repertoire—an ultimate acceptance of life’s storms and a closeness to the nature around us (here the Taylor family’s island refuge, Martha’s Vineyard off the New England coast, across the continent from Wolf’s northern California).
Listeners must be strong to stand near the CD’s flame. Heartbreaking and then uplifting, the opener, “I Will Fly,” was born with the painful news that the disc’s guitarist Arlen Roth’s wife and daughter had died suddenly. The song evolved through Witham’s realization that his own time was short, closing in peace at laying his earthly burden down. His naturalistic “Shores Of Paradise” too could step off a Wolf disc. Especially in the wake of June Carter Cash’s demise, one wonders what Johnny Cash could do with Witham’s songs.
As for levity, “Blue Tin Suitcase (For Alex Taylor)” reflects Witham’s whimsical side and Alex’s R&B leanings. Kate’s sole composition on her disc, love-happy “He’s Waiting”—rocks like her stage show.
Songs, singer and sidemen seem as one on this tight album, which in part is Witham’s monument. Closing with Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne,” it understands that life’s dark highway is ultimately a beautiful road, even when (to paraphrase Witham) God whispers things you cannot bear. (www.ccnow.com or www.katetaylor.com)

Bruce Sylvester