Album Review: Allan Taylor: Hotels and Dreamers (Stockfisch Records CD)

One of those rare artists who draws you into his world, Allan Taylor narrates as much as he sings. A British vocalist / guitarist, I could picture him as a traveling troubadour, entering a hotel, inn, bar or such, telling stories of unsung heroes to an appreciative audience. Once the songs are over, he leaves for the next venue.

The themes Taylor uses speak of a world traveler with knowledge and insight gained from meeting many interesting people and being involved in many incidents. Much of the material is based on fact. Listen to The Beat Hotel that starts off this album and you can almost taste the atmosphere in some obscure hotel (which still exists in Paris). Studying the sleeve notes you are given not only a detailed overview of each song's background but you will also find the chords and capo settings for both Taylor and guitarist Chris Jones.

The Stranger and Frenchtown continue in the tour in the same story telling mode via Frenchtown (New Jersey) and then gets to my favourite - Los Compañeros - which tells of he Cuban revolution, the promises of a new and better life and the later realisation that it may have all been in vain. The melody is a sultry Latin American one and the strong voice really surfaces here for the first time. The recording is incredibly accurate and you can hear the slide of the hands on the neck of the guitar and the strings. This is how a guitar should be played and Stockfisch excels at getting the best guitarists in the business. I like the line that says:

Now the Yankees come for the fishing, and their pockets are loaded with green
Ten dollars will buy you a woman or a tank of gasoline.

It is a sad irony that while Cuba has slid into poverty as a result of its socialist policies, their northern capitalist neighbours sail south to fish in the Cuban waters of the Carribean, with loads of money, while on the island your choice should you have ten dollars is simple: enjoy life (a woman) or carefully protect your economy (a tank of gasoline for one of the old Yankee cars).

The line up of instruments ensures solid bass all the way and on Running on Dreams a pedal-steel makes a wonderful appearance. The musical journey takes us north again to The Mission Hotel in Denmark and is dedicated to an unknown waitress who found particular enjoyment in the songs played that evening. The accordion creates a romantic and European feel.

Pearls and Wine tells a heart warming story of love that has endured for fifty years, represented by fifty unique pearls.

A must-have title if you enjoy guitar and male vocal and perfectly produced.