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The Cheshire Review
The Cheshire Tree Suite, by Lou Maxwell Taylor, is at first listen a very interesting
album. It is characterized by a number of different influences and features an
interesting array of instruments such as water tuned glass panpipes, a dombek, and
egg-on-stick-with-peas. I must confess at the outset that I have no idea what the
latter instrument is, but it sounds good (I guess) and is no doubt vital to the
album! This work is the product of about eight years of work and was laid down at
different times and in different places during that time. In spite of this, the
Cheshire Tree Suite presents itself as a completely integrated work.
This is another one of those albums that might well be at home in a number of
different places on music store shelves. Overall, the album is a blend of influences
ranging from English Folk to Near Eastern with crisp background keyboards that give
some of the tracks a "New Age" feel. Instruments range widely and
also include a Mediterranean sounding accordion and some excellent violin and cello
work. Overall, I think this work would be greatly appreciated by fans of performers
such as Loreena McKennitt. She is also a master, or perhaps, The Master of this
type of influence alchemy. I certainly am, and found this work appealing
accordingly.
Lou Maxwell Taylor is a very good vocalist. His voice is both rich and melodic. It
is not possible to hear him sing without pausing to note a large similarity between
him and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull fame. This is a fact that has not gone
unnoticed by the artist as there are a number of musical flourishes used to
punctuate the vocals that are definitely Tullish. This is okay by me. I always
have room for more. Lyrically, the album is quite keen on asking questions about
many of life's difficulties and mysteries. This is particularly true of my favorite
track entitled Lost Lake where the question "He gained the whole world for what
profit?" is repeatedly begged followed by a beautiful sounding female background
vocal and a nice violin reply. I find this song hauntingly beautiful. It caught my
attention on first hearing and is also, in my humble opinion, the most accessible
song on the CD. I also liked the Cheshire Suite Reprise which nicely revisits the
intro and the earlier track The Cheshire Tree. This reprise serves to pull the
album together and leads to the last track on the album, The Unexpected.
The Cheshire Tree Suite is a fine album and is well suited to the Prog genre. The
work is nicely written and arranged and features a satisfying array of moods and
textures. Lou Maxwell Taylor is a great singer to listen to. His rich voice is
relaxing and neither he nor his music is ever harsh or discordant. I would
recommend this work to our readers as a fine kick back on the porch and relax
album. It is worth having particularly if you like music from this genre. Those of
you who like tasteful, folksy, influence blending such as this might well wish to
invest in a copy here. It is fine work.
Rating: 7.5 keyboards
Reviewer: Steven J. Mynaugh
DISCOGRAPHY
The Cheshire Tree Suite 1999
Visit the artist website
Lou
Maxwell Taylor
Credits
Recorded At: Home, Muscletone Studios (Berkley)
and The First Unitarian Church, Oakland & "The Lodge, Oakland, California"
Mastering
Lou Maxwell Taylor
Cover Art
Peter Sis
Additional Musicians
Dan Reiter - cello
Frank Lev - clarinet
Lygia Ferra - vocals
Chuck Rosene - bass
Rob Carr - percussion
Kevin Toney - bodhran
Alex Artaud - percussion
Mike Masley - percussion
Radim Zenkl - mandolin
Kerry Parker - voice and fiddle
Derek Bianchi - bass and guitar
Barry Cleveland - guitar and dombek
Vladimir Kalistov - sintharmonica button. harmonica
Check the
quiXote-
Website for worldwide ordering of this album
Check out the free
Lou Maxwell Taylor MP3
available on our
MP3 page
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