Covers

Next time Mr. Taylor needs $12 then he should just ask me for the cash and save us both from disappointment. Just not a great effort.

This album of covers is mostly for people who are familiar with music from the `50s and `60s, and probably won't win JT any new fans. He's always been able to mellow out a tune and put his own distinctive spin on it, but a couple of the tracks on this album are TOO mellow, some to the point of being almost unrecognizable, especially if you know the popular versions of the songs.

The songs that make the album worthwhile for me are "Wichita Lineman" (Glenn Campbell, 1968) and "Seminole Wind" (John Anderson). Others are "It's Growing" (The Temptations, 1965); "Why Baby Why" (George Jones, 1955); "Some Days You Gotta Dance" (Keith Urban) and "On Broadway" (The Drifters' 1963 hit)

On the other hand, give me Neil Diamond's version of "Suzanne" any day, and as for "Hound Dog" - nuff said - Elvis rules!

Stronger on the country tunes and average on the R&B, this album has its highs and lows. It's probably a good choice as background music for social gatherings and peaceful nights at home with a good book, but the song choices and arrangements add up to nothing special or particularly memorable.

Listen to the samples and buy only the songs you like.

Rated: 3.5 stars



Amanda Richards