New topic
Printablepsykosoul said:[quote] paligap said: Actually, listening to all this stuff, I kinda see why Lewis didn't get support from the record company and virtually no airplay...
Imagine if Marvin Gaye's first album was Here, My Dear, and Prince's first few releases were Around the World In a Day, Parade, and some of the darker tracks on Sign of The Times ( Ballad Of Dorothy Parker, IT, If I was Your Girlfriend), and if Joni's first album was Hissing Of The Summer Lawns, Stevie Wonder's debut was Secret Life of Plants, and Todd Rundgren and Brian Wilson started with A Wizard, A True Star, and Smile, respectively....critics and other musicians would hail it, and they would've gotten a small, loyal fan base, and that might be about it... Lewis's case is even more hopeless , coming out in the late Nineties...People were gettin' swept away by crap like the Macarena, no way in hell they were gonna get something like this... you are absolutely right. I am suprised that people who are fans of every artist you mentioned above hasn't gone ape-shit over Lewis yet... especially Prince and Rundgren fans. I mean I know he's virtually unknown outside the UK, but DAYUM!!!! :disbelief Hey psyko and pali, where do u rate Lewis against Prince? SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
paligap said: Actually, listening to all this stuff, I kinda see why Lewis didn't get support from the record company and virtually no airplay...
Imagine if Marvin Gaye's first album was Here, My Dear, and Prince's first few releases were Around the World In a Day, Parade, and some of the darker tracks on Sign of The Times ( Ballad Of Dorothy Parker, IT, If I was Your Girlfriend), and if Joni's first album was Hissing Of The Summer Lawns, Stevie Wonder's debut was Secret Life of Plants, and Todd Rundgren and Brian Wilson started with A Wizard, A True Star, and Smile, respectively....critics and other musicians would hail it, and they would've gotten a small, loyal fan base, and that might be about it... Lewis's case is even more hopeless , coming out in the late Nineties...People were gettin' swept away by crap like the Macarena, no way in hell they were gonna get something like this... Are you saying this guy's already started at his peak? Because all those albums you referred to by those artists are largely considered their best stuff, or at least the most esoteric works from their prime period. ... [Edited 3/4/05 11:03am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I can't believe this!! Everytime i ask what do people think about LT I never get an answer or replies, still haven't got the 2004 yet, how is it? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
jacktheimprovident said: Are you saying this guy's already started at his peak? Because all those albums you referred to by those artists are largely considered their best stuff, or at least the most esoteric works from their prime period. IMO, He's already pretty formidable, and I'm sure he'll go even further from here, but I meant that,unfortunately, if those legendary artists had started out doing their most esoteric stuff, they arguably wouldn't have reached as many people as they do now, because that material probably wouldn't have gotten on the air-- they all kinda had to play the Pop game for a while to get their stuff out there, get it on the radio, and get established, then they gradually moved into more 'artistic' areas....Lewis just hit the ground running(in all directions and styles)--it's impossible to pigeonhole him, and that just confuses the hell out A&R people, especially nowadays -- if it don't sound like everything else, they ain't touchin' it... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
blackguitaristz said: Hey psyko and pali, where do u rate Lewis against Prince? In my opinion.....well, I'll agree with a reveiwer on amazon.com, who said, "I saw Prince at the Lyceum back when he was 19 years old. since that time, Lewis Taylor has been the first person to knock me out like that..." If you take all those B-sides and rare tracks on his site (I included just a few at the beginning of the thread), along with his first two albums, the Lost album, Limited 2004, (and even Stoned I and II), I really think of Prince and those other legends( Todd, Brian, Sly Stone, etc...) he's got that same talent, imagination and wide scope of sounds to compete with the best of 'em --- I can see why D'angelo had him flown over to the US to meet a couple of years ago...he probably thought, "Man, I have to have a look at this Mothaf**ker,  " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
skilletnomicrowave said: I can't believe this!! Everytime i ask what do people think about LT I never get an answer or replies, still haven't got the 2004 yet, how is it?
I know, I'm late, I'm just now gettin' my mind blown.....
I think, like Pykosoul said, if you made the transition from Lewis I to II with no problem, you'll get into Limited 2004 . It's a little of everything--- Rock, Funk, Pop, Jazz,--Like someone else said, basically, it's Lewis being Lewis.... ... [Edited 3/5/05 0:57am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
oops! [Edited 3/5/05 0:56am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
oops!Sorry again...editing trouble.... [Edited 3/5/05 0:59am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: These are all the people that come to mind when I heard Lewis Taylor....
--I know Psykosoul did a couple of threads on this dude, and I'm here to testify, Y'all-- If You get the chance, Listen To this Man's work --It's Off The Hook!! His work recalls all of the names above, at the same time! a few of his Fans: Elton John - sent Lewis a letter telling him how much he loved the debut album, and bought 15 copies of it; D'Angelo - A big Lewis Taylor fan -- brought him over to the US awhile back to discuss collaborations; Leon Ware--writer/producer/singer and Marvin Gaye collaborator--heard Lewis's tracks and fell out of his seat; Paul Weller-- does his best to attend as many of Lewis's concerts as he can, an avid supporter; David Bowie -- declared Lewis's debut "The Best thing I've heard all year..." and yet, with all that, outside of some industry insiders, he remains virtually unknown.... A multi-instrumentalist, Lewis takes the experimental studio approach similar to Sly Stione, Brian Wilson, Shuggie Otis and Rundgren, and You hear something new each time you listen -- he embraces the technology, while never losing the warmth of the Live Feel-- Funk and Psychedelia swirl together as if they are one in the same-- raw Bass, fuzz Guitar, and 60's rotating Leslie Cabinet effects sit nicely beside multitracked vocal choruses...his music builds slowly to impressive shifts and cresendos...definitely steps ahead of Todays same sounding cookie-cutter tracks...reviewers have given comparisons to everyone from Radiohead to Marvin Gaye...But ultimately, He sounds like Lewis Taylor... here are just a few mp3 examples of the different sounds (from his fansite, Lewistaylormusic.com http://www.lewistaylormus...tmethi.mp3 http://www.lewistaylormus...einele.mp3 http://www.lewistaylormus...eclady.mp3 Check out his site's audibles section, especially the B-sides and rarities... Give a listen, let me know what ya think...   
... [Edited 3/4/05 11:00am] Okay, I'm going to buy some new music tomorrow... Which one should I get first? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Pr3ttyM3ss said: paligap said: These are all the people that come to mind when I heard Lewis Taylor....
--I know Psykosoul did a couple of threads on this dude, and I'm here to testify, Y'all-- If You get the chance, Listen To this Man's work --It's Off The Hook!! His work recalls all of the names above, at the same time! a few of his Fans: Elton John - sent Lewis a letter telling him how much he loved the debut album, and bought 15 copies of it; D'Angelo - A big Lewis Taylor fan -- brought him over to the US awhile back to discuss collaborations; Leon Ware--writer/producer/singer and Marvin Gaye collaborator--heard Lewis's tracks and fell out of his seat; Paul Weller-- does his best to attend as many of Lewis's concerts as he can, an avid supporter; David Bowie -- declared Lewis's debut "The Best thing I've heard all year..." and yet, with all that, outside of some industry insiders, he remains virtually unknown.... A multi-instrumentalist, Lewis takes the experimental studio approach similar to Sly Stione, Brian Wilson, Shuggie Otis and Rundgren, and You hear something new each time you listen -- he embraces the technology, while never losing the warmth of the Live Feel-- Funk and Psychedelia swirl together as if they are one in the same-- raw Bass, fuzz Guitar, and 60's rotating Leslie Cabinet effects sit nicely beside multitracked vocal choruses...his music builds slowly to impressive shifts and cresendos...definitely steps ahead of Todays same sounding cookie-cutter tracks...reviewers have given comparisons to everyone from Radiohead to Marvin Gaye...But ultimately, He sounds like Lewis Taylor... here are just a few mp3 examples of the different sounds (from his fansite, Lewistaylormusic.com http://www.lewistaylormus...tmethi.mp3 http://www.lewistaylormus...einele.mp3 http://www.lewistaylormus...eclady.mp3 Check out his site's audibles section, especially the B-sides and rarities... Give a listen, let me know what ya think...
... [Edited 3/4/05 11:00am] Okay, I'm going to buy some new music tomorrow... Which one should I get first? Without a doubt the first 1!!! 1996 debut album.A masterpiece! /peace Manki | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
manki said: paligap said: You couldn't get into LewisII, Manki? I just love that dark feeling & the songs better on the first 1.It was a long time since I listened 2 the second album,but "Stoned" & "Stoned II" I really can't get into. Sorry /peace Manki No, that's cool, actually that's been a lot of people's reaction to the Stoned albums, even the diehard fans---a lot of people think they're too light & Dance/Pop, compared to the heavier, darker feel of the other releases...But I think it just further illustrates his diversity... ... [Edited 3/5/05 7:26am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
blackguitaristz said: Hey psyko and pali, where do u rate Lewis against Prince? ...Oh, and when you check out his guitar playing, you'll definitely hear some Prince Meets Ernie Isley and Todd Rundgren moments.... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
manki said: Pr3ttyM3ss said: Okay, I'm going to buy some new music tomorrow... Which one should I get first? Without a doubt the first 1!!! 1996 debut album.A masterpiece! /peace Manki Thank you, thank you  ! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
manki said: Pr3ttyM3ss said: Okay, I'm going to buy some new music tomorrow... Which one should I get first? Without a doubt the first 1!!! 1996 debut album.A masterpiece! /peace Manki And when you get all of them, see if you could count how many times LT says 'baby' | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
skilletnomicrowave said: manki said: Without a doubt the first 1!!! 1996 debut album.A masterpiece! /peace Manki And when you get all of them, see if you could count how many times LT says 'baby' I take it he says it numerous times? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
 I'm checkin' out the the song, "Leader of the Band", from the Lost Album(Lewis's ode to 70's Pop/rock)... it's the best Todd Rundgren song he never made...slammin' vocal harmony at the end, Brian Wilson would've been proud of this track, too!" I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Hey, Psykosoul, Namepeace and everybody...
I read recently that Pharrell, James Poyser, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Hall and Oates, Bilal, and producer Don Was are all into Lewis. (apparently, even the late Aliyah was a fan...) D'Angelo has mentioned him several times, and Elton John was even on UK TV awhile ago, plugging one of LT's albums... when you add other fans like David Bowie, it begs the question, how does someone with such high-profile admirers remain so unknown? As AMG put it, " he remains even below the radar of most underground music fans..." I don't expect record companies to get it, or most of the public, but I thought that kind of admiration would at least get some kind of press, outside of a few UK magazines... Is any of this his doing? Does he like to keep a low profile? I'm sure he'd like to sell more than he does now.... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Let's see. Lewis does this on his own.
He doesn't want to be a star. He could have been several times at Island and then he left. Stoned PT II was a disappointment because he used a autotuner to fix his notes and it got noticeable in the songs. Flat notes are what give it life. When its perfect you might as well have C3PO sing it. I still havent got the lost album. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Trickology said: Let's see. Lewis does this on his own.
He doesn't want to be a star. He could have been several times at Island and then he left. Stoned PT II was a disappointment because he used a autotuner to fix his notes and it got noticeable in the songs. Flat notes are what give it life. When its perfect you might as well have C3PO sing it. I still havent got the lost album. See, that 's what I was wondering about...It kinda seems like he wants to keep a low profile.... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Lewis Taylor is a truly gifted musician who just knocks anyone off the music planet.
He's a muso like Prince and in Todd that just does everything himself. People should be forced to sit and listen to his music and then get down on their knees and thank the lord that this shy modest guy still has the spirit to make music like this. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
engima said: Lewis Taylor is a truly gifted musician who just knocks anyone off the music planet.
He's a muso like Prince and in Todd that just does everything himself. People should be forced to sit and listen to his music and then get down on their knees and thank the lord that this shy modest guy still has the spirit to make music like this. Ndeed! too few people with talent on that level still in the buisiness! I hope he can hang in there--I know I'm already a die hard fan...." I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: blackguitaristz said: Hey psyko and pali, where do u rate Lewis against Prince? ...Oh, and when you check out his guitar playing, you'll definitely hear some Prince Meets Ernie Isley and Todd Rundgren moments.... What?! Aw HELL no! Pali, I know u didn't say what I think u said. Is his lead playing like this? If so, which albums? I'm waiting for Amoeba Records to recieve Taylor's first cd. They had to order it for me. SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
blackguitaristz said: paligap said: ...Oh, and when you check out his guitar playing, you'll definitely hear some Prince Meets Ernie Isley and Todd Rundgren moments.... What?! Aw HELL no! Pali, I know u didn't say what I think u said. Is his lead playing like this? If so, which albums? I'm waiting for Amoeba Records to recieve Taylor's first cd. They had to order it for me. I'll send you an orgnote!" I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Lewis Taylor is a muso like Prince. However for sheer diversity and the audacity that he allows himself to be compared and likened to Prince, Todd, Brian, Marvin and Hendrix I say Lewis Taylor wins.
Don't get me wrong I love Prince always have but Lewis can 'perform' in any genre and even plays the drums well too. This guy is making this music in his 'home' without any vast budget production etc and he just aviods the celebrity scene. If you want to order his stuff google hmv and amazon uk and abroad and they have samples online as well.You can also buy his stuff dusty grooves in Chicago. If you google BBC radio you will find a jam session he did on radio 2 and you can listen to them being performed live. Everyone in the soul scene knows about this guy buy unfortunately he got 'labeled' as that soul guy and there is more to Lewis than just soul.He likes to let rip on the guitar as well and he loves Todd and Brian Wilson. What's so good about him he can do that 'wall of sound' and achingly beautiful backing vocals and layering of music that Brian and Todd excel in. [Edited 3/10/05 9:56am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
In answer to your question Lewis is VERY SHY and MODEST.He is managed by his ex girl-friend and sometimes writing partner and exe producer Sabina Smyth.She composed the intro on the ltd 2004 and 'lost' the first track from 'the lost album'.Sabina is a really nice lady and very polite as well.
The 'lost album' was voted one of the top albums by the writers of 'uncut' music magazine of 2004.Prince was not included neither was Elton John. No mean feat when you consider Lewis operates by himself on his own label -slowreality.com love and peace everyone | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
engima said: In answer to your question Lewis is VERY SHY and MODEST.He is managed by his ex girl-friend and sometimes writing partner and exe producer Sabina Smyth.She composed the intro on the ltd 2004 and 'lost' the first track from 'the lost album'.Sabina is a really nice lady and very polite as well.
The 'lost album' was voted one of the top albums by the writers of 'uncut' music magazine of 2004.Prince was not included neither was Elton John. No mean feat when you consider Lewis operates by himself on his own label -slowreality.com love and peace everyone Hey enigma, Do You have a favorite album or favorite songs by LT? " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
blackguitaristz said: paligap said: ...Oh, and when you check out his guitar playing, you'll definitely hear some Prince Meets Ernie Isley and Todd Rundgren moments.... What?! Aw HELL no! Pali, I know u didn't say what I think u said. Is his lead playing like this? If so, which albums? I'm waiting for Amoeba Records to recieve Taylor's first cd. They had to order it for me. Okay, I'm worried... Is it that hard to get his music? Should I try and get his stuff online or something? Any suggestions? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Pr3ttyM3ss said: blackguitaristz said: What?! Aw HELL no! Pali, I know u didn't say what I think u said. Is his lead playing like this? If so, which albums? I'm waiting for Amoeba Records to recieve Taylor's first cd. They had to order it for me. Okay, I'm worried... Is it that hard to get his music? Should I try and get his stuff online or something? Any suggestions? It's not hard to get it online (like enigma said, Dusty Groove, Amazon.com, or his website, slowreality.com are just some of the places...),though it might be harder if you're just looking at your local record shop ...but, because they're Imports, the prices might be a factor(usually anywhere from $18 up to $29, depending on where you look).... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
paligap said: Pr3ttyM3ss said: Okay, I'm worried... Is it that hard to get his music? Should I try and get his stuff online or something? Any suggestions? It's not hard to get it online (like enigma said, Dusty Groove, Amazon.com, or his website, slowreality.com are just some of the places...),though it might be harder if you're just looking at your local record shop ...but, because they're Imports, the prices might be a factor(usually anywhere from $18 up to $29, depending on where you look).... Thank you Paligap! Yeah, I was searching locally and the people that worked there were like, "Who?" I'll check online. Thanks again! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
engima said: What's so good about him he can do that 'wall of sound' and achingly beautiful backing vocals and layering of music that Brian and Todd excel in. And this is the gospel truth. It may sound silly for me to say this about a guy who only has 6 albums under his belt, but Lewis is already a "living legend" in my book  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |