Concert Review: Joel Taylor Is The American Dream At Rockwood
One thing that I find very, but happily alarming about American music is how powerful it is, and how well international artists can do it. Often, it is said that America’s greatest power is soft, and relies on its ability to enrapture people abroad with images of joy and freedom and dreams of wealth and love. Although, nowadays, it is hard to remember such American visions, one Aussie at Rockwood Music Hall, by the name of Joel Taylor, reminded me that we still got it.
Joel Taylor may have been born in Sydney, but if he said he was from Nashville, I would believe it! He both wonderfully and eerily captures the heart of Americana music; even closing his eyes to play to plays song like, “What Good Is Love” and “Two Sides” as if he could see the amber waves of grain that make America The Beautiful. For being his first NYC show, Taylor easily displayed his love for our culture and, of course, our sound. Yet, when your grand-dad worked for Jerry Lee Lewis and your mom taught you music through Billy Joel records, you are going to love us. Moreover, you are going to capture Americans’ ability to be playful even in heartache.
Joel Taylor – Give Myself Away (Pseudo Video)
The power of Joel Taylor comes in many forms: his dashing looks, his accent which Americans love, his welcoming smile, and a voice, so girded in emotional soil, it reminds you that life comes from the the bottom to sprout upwards. As he sang, “Give Myself Away”, his voice embodied the rawness of wanting someone to share yourself with, but also learning that giving yourself to others has its requirements. No relationship is a glass of half-empty or half-full; you either try to fill it up or let it dry out. It seemed this message was the core of his music, and he had a voice that was so innately emotive, he did not have to try to reach sentiment: he owned it.
Joel Taylor – What Good Is Love (Audio)
Joel Taylor seems ready-made for music domination, but, me, being myself, found there was a hidden power to him that goes back to my initial argument. America has inspired the world, and it is always rich to see that, amongst the bad news told of us, there are great stories born from us. Joel Taylor left his country to become an L.A. based musician, and now is touring the U.S. with music that reminds our country a spirit goes farther than a stock exchange, which is why it is so easy to capture anywhere. For More Information on Joel Taylor Click Here.
Joel Taylor – Two Sides
