But his first loyalty was to the Lord and, like many contemporaries, he was heavily influenced by the vocal style of Sam Cooke, then lead voice in the Soul Stirrers, the hottest act in gospel music. Taylor was born in Craw fordsville, Arkansas, in the middle of blues country, when Howlin' Wolf and Junior Parker were in the neighbourhood and at their peak. Although he rarely wrote his own material and had little instrumental skill, his unique phrasing and sense of vocal rhythm set him apart, even during soul's most commercially vibrant years, from the late 60s to mid-70s. Johnnie Taylor, who has died of a heart attack aged 62, was a great soul stylist.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |