Mick Taylor will forever be remembered as a Rolling Stone, which it has to be said tends to
overshadow his earlier incarnation as a Bluesbreaker and more latterly as an accomplished bluesman.
'Shadowman' is an appropriate title. It is the latter period that is in focus here, as Mick and company run through a polished set of funky
American blues rock. The Stones legacy is not completely expunged, as there is a good and funky version of 'Honky Tonk Woman' but mostly this
is an excellent double header (the second CD, an excellent and more bluesy live gig from 1995) which brings the story of this talented guitar player
up to date.
'Shadow Woman' with it's pumping bassline, slippery slide, howling harp and girlie chorus is typical of what's on offer here whilst the bonus
track 'Someday' rolls along with brass interjection and growling guitar. If you like the sort of stuff
Taylor's mentor John Mayall has put out in the last decade, you'll find plenty to please here. The great musicianship and New York sheen
have rubbed off to fashion an excellent, and relevant, restatement.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
