Big Sister PRODUCTIONS
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Marketing and management for the creative community
Like a real big sister, we're nurturing, yes, but also a little bit bossy
Big Sister Productions
Madison, TN
ph: 812-327-5494
sue
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From the Liner Notes by Kevin McKendree ...
I thought it was going to be difficult to mix this album. Hearing my friend Dennis's unmistakable, elegant tone would surely bring me to tears; he’d finished tracking just weeks before his sudden, untimely passing. I actually found it quite the opposite. It was comforting to hear Dennis play, because he was doing exactly what he wanted, the way he saw fit, with the people he chose. How many souls get to do that in a lifetime? What I did find difficult was finishing, for I knew that once I hit "save," it would be the last time I would have the pleasure of working with Dennis Taylor. And what a pleasure it was!
Dennis approached me about making this recording not too long after he joined me in Delbert McClinton's band. I had enjoyed working with him on various projects for close to fifteen years, and when the tenor chair opened, he was the first person I thought of. His root-sy playing, subtle sensibilities and just plain big fat tone would mesh perfectly with our band, I thought. I was right. Traveling in a band together over time turns friends and fellow musicians into brothers. As we both had previously suspected, we found we had a lot in common. One of those things was the love of the way tenor saxophone and Hammond B3 sound together. Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff, we agreed, were about as good as it gets tonally.
So Dennis, as was his nature as a teacher, challenged me (and himself) to make this recording—just ourselves and three of our favorite drummers: Lynn Williams, Kenneth Blevins and Chester Thompson. He didn't want it to be the "typical organ trio" record though. He wanted to include a variety of songs: some from New Orleans, a place he had lived and loved, and some songs from the great Ray Charles and Percy Mayfield, who had impacted both of our musical lives so profoundly. He even wanted to include a Beatles tune! I couldn't hear that one until he opened my ears to it. Now I can't hear it any other way. He asked Delbert to make a cameo appearance on the album and choose a song that he had always wanted to sing, but never had. Delbert chose “Since I Fell for You.” Then Dennis challenged all of us with "Lady Day" and "Cafe Regio.” Finally and best of all, he wrote several of his own instrumentals that reveal the true blue soul of Dennis Taylor.
It is an honor I don't take lightly that Dennis trusted me with his musical dream. He told me he was proud of the music we made. So am I. Thank you, Dennis.
Dennis approached me about making this recording not too long after he joined me in Delbert McClinton's band. I had enjoyed working with him on various projects for close to fifteen years, and when the tenor chair opened, he was the first person I thought of. His root-sy playing, subtle sensibilities and just plain big fat tone would mesh perfectly with our band, I thought. I was right. Traveling in a band together over time turns friends and fellow musicians into brothers. As we both had previously suspected, we found we had a lot in common. One of those things was the love of the way tenor saxophone and Hammond B3 sound together. Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff, we agreed, were about as good as it gets tonally.
So Dennis, as was his nature as a teacher, challenged me (and himself) to make this recording—just ourselves and three of our favorite drummers: Lynn Williams, Kenneth Blevins and Chester Thompson. He didn't want it to be the "typical organ trio" record though. He wanted to include a variety of songs: some from New Orleans, a place he had lived and loved, and some songs from the great Ray Charles and Percy Mayfield, who had impacted both of our musical lives so profoundly. He even wanted to include a Beatles tune! I couldn't hear that one until he opened my ears to it. Now I can't hear it any other way. He asked Delbert to make a cameo appearance on the album and choose a song that he had always wanted to sing, but never had. Delbert chose “Since I Fell for You.” Then Dennis challenged all of us with "Lady Day" and "Cafe Regio.” Finally and best of all, he wrote several of his own instrumentals that reveal the true blue soul of Dennis Taylor.
It is an honor I don't take lightly that Dennis trusted me with his musical dream. He told me he was proud of the music we made. So am I. Thank you, Dennis.
—Kevin McKendree
Click the icon or album to listen to a cut from the album
"Lee's Lick" (by Dennis Taylor, Yogiz Music)
And watch Dennis Taylor in action in this clip from "Imus in the Morning" with Delbert McClinton doing "Givin' It Up for Your Love"
Big Sister Productions
Madison, TN
ph: 812-327-5494
sue
