Kate Taylor, of the renowned Martha’s Vineyard via North Carolina musical clan that includes brothers James, Livingston, Alex and Hugh, reunited with key players, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Leland Skar – who backed her on her 1971 debut Sister Kate – and veteran producer Peter Asher, for Taylor’s delightfully buoyant album, Why Wait! Released on Red House Records.
As on Sister Kate, she covers some of her favorite songwriters and songs, including a version of her brother James’ “I Will Follow,” The Beatles’ “Good Day Sunshine” and Taj Mahal’s “He Caught the Katy.” Taylor, who loves singing R&B, contributes two self-penned songs: the upbeat title track, “Why Wait!” and the evocative “I Got a Message.”
She also does a version of Little Feat’s “Long Distance Love” and the 1963 girl group hit by The Exciters, “Tell Him,” in addition to versions of Tommy James’s “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and Nancy Wilson’s “How Glad I Am.”
The spark for this album was ignited at Taylor’s birthday party when her agent (who also manages Asher), brought up the fact that the key players who appeared on Sister Kate are still around and very active (most recently as members of The Immediate Family). Asher loved the idea of recording with Taylor again on their 50th anniversary, and she was instantly on board, writing the title track. The two assembled a group of songs that complement her bluesy voice.
James Taylor told Rolling Stone: “For Kate to be doing this with Peter, and that both of them have this life experience that brings them back together, it’s really a moving thing. I think it’s so great that Kate will have this next iteration, you know, this next chance for people to hear her and pick up on her.”
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