Positively Beautiful - Lewis Taylor News Issue Four: The Stoned Vibe Beguiles Us Into 2003 Positively Beautiful, The News This fourth issue is slow in its arrival to you, but we're hoping you all ended 2002 on an upbeat note and are experiencing a great start to 2003. Lewis' new year has started off at a gallop with various radio interviews and a three-gig run at the Jazz Cafe beginning today, January 20. Positively Beautiful has collected some recent album reviews and interview summaries for you and presents information about the Jazz Cafe for those who might still need it, so read ahead to find out what you want to know. Our Newsletter's Purpose The Positively Beautiful newsletter brings you real news of Lewis Taylor and what he's up to. For the fans and by the fans, along with - wherever appropriate and possible - official confirmation and/or input from Lewis' camp. One thing's for sure - if you see news here it's real, not rumour! We aim to provide for fans pertinent information, previews and reviews of all things Lewis Taylor, over time. News will always be confirmed before it appears here, or definite possibilities clearly stated if they're unconfirmed. If you have an opinion, however, about a Lewis gig, have an album review, related links, comments, suggestions or questions, send them along! This newsletter is truly for the fans and by the fans - we want to know what you'd like to see here, and we welcome contributions appropriate to the spirit of this newsletter. Something that Positively Beautiful would like to initiate along the way is a Question & Answer section about and/or for Lewis. We offer no guarantees at all in connection with any Q & A - but if you do have questions feel free to send them along. We'll do our best to get you the real answers, with input from Lewis himself if possible. Lewis Taylor at The Jazz Cafe - 20, 21, 22 January, 2003 Lewis and full band will appear for three nights running at London's Jazz Cafe starting January 20, 2003. Gavin Harrison fans will be happy to know that he'll be playing all three shows, while Lewis' other drummer - Ash Soan - is away recording an album. From http://www.indielondon.co.uk/music/mu_jazz_cafe_highlights.htm, a description of the upcoming gigs: Touted as Barnet's own Marvin Gaye, Lewis Taylor is one of our brightest soul hopes. With an incredibly distinctive lyrical and musical vision that borrows from Marvin, Stevie, Curtis, Hendrix and others, while remaining completely his own, Lewis is a unique talent. These dates will feature favourites 'Lucky', 'Bitersweet' and 'Why' alongside material from Lewis's new self-produced album Stoned Part 1. editor's note: just thought I'd share my amusement over the site's typos in the faves mentioned, along with their lovely description of Lewis. Information from Ticketmaster - http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ - about the Jazz Cafe gig and venue: Note: As of 01/20/03, Ticketmaster shows a 'Currently Not On Sale' button next to the Wednesday 23 January Jazz Cafe date. Explanation as follows: At the time you checked this event, there were no tickets available. However, sometimes we keep sold out events listed online as we often receive additional tickets. Check the site often, particularly as the event date nears, to see if extra tickets become available. The on sale date for the event is in the future. Check the event page for the 'Internet On Sale Date' or subscribe to Ticket Alert! to stay informed of the latest events on sale soon. The promoter or venue has requested that this event is only to be sold through other distribution channels such as phone and ticket centres. Venue Info: JAZZ CAFE 5 Parkway, Camden, London Transport Directions The venue is 50m from Camden Town Underground and 250m from Camden Road British Rail Public Transport Underground Camden Town British Rail Camden Road Parking Limited on street parking only. Strongly advise public transport. Box Office Information Phone Ticketmaster (UK +44) 020 7316 4709Box Office No (UK+44) 020 7916 6060 for information and restaurant bookings Hours Box Office open 10.00 - 18.00 hrs Mon - Sat Closed Sunday. The Restaurant seating is only bookable through the Jazz Cafe direct on 020 7916 6060.Table bookings include admission. Please do not purchase tickets prior to reserving a table Payment Cash, cheque and credit card Collection Collect Tickets from the Jazz Cafe itself (not the Ticketshop next door) on the night from 7pm. The cardholder must take the credit card, the Ticketmaster reference number, and sign for the tickets before they will be released. General Information General Rules No video cameras, cameras or recording devices allowed. Childrens Rules Strictly NO under 18s. Special Needs A full access information sheet will be available by the end of 2002. Call Sharon Reuben at Mean Fiddler Head Office on 020 8961 5490 for more details. Miscellaneous The Restaurant seating is only bookable through the Jazz Cafe direct on 020 7916 6060.Please do not purchase tickets prior to reserving a table. General admission standing tickets downstairs are available through Ticketmaster. Time: 19:00 (7 pm) 20, 21, 22 Jan. Price: £10.00 Positively Beautiful wishes you all a positively beautiful, 'Stoned' experience at the Jazz Cafe this week! Trivia Question Here's where you get to answer a question for which there are no prizes even if you're right: Which fabulous musician who we all know and love is reported to be celebrating his birthday at the Jazz Cafe tonight? Lewis on Radio: Past and Present (and Future?) Past: The Lisa I'Anson Show on Radio London at 4 pm GMT, January 16/03 Mark Ede, at the fan forum: Lisa I'Anson's was a particularly good show - she is obviously a huge fan and asked all the 'right' questions. She raved about the 'Marvin' feel of the first album, but put it in the right way. As in, being compared to Marvin being a good thing as Lewis has enough of himself in what he does that anyone with half an ear could understand that Lewis is anything but a Marvin wanna be. Lewis confessed as being a not particularly huge Marvin fan per se but that 'Trouble Man' had nonetheless inspired the debut record which Paul O'Duffey had lent him to play. Lewis mentioned Sam Cooke as being more of a singer he listened to. He also revealed 'Stardust' as being a fav tune. Lewis sang 'Song' on acoustic - fabulous, probably as good a version as I've heard. He plays around with the tune quite a bit but the melody line he used on this particular vocal version was on the money. Great little session which must have lasted a good half hour or so. He also did an acoustic Lucky in to the bargain! editor's note: hadena has reportedly secured permission to post Song from this interview on the lewistaylormusic.com site, so watch the audibles page - http://www.lewistaylormusic.com/audibles.html - for that coming up! Past: The Richard Allinson Show on Radio2 at 10:30 pm GMT, January 16/03 Jake, at the fan forum: Missed I'Anson, listened to the Richard Allinson show. After a short introduction Lewis played accoustic version of 'Song'. after that, they had a chatty interview, Allinson asking about what's up with the Elton John story (Allinson's producer having bought Stoned Pt.1 after watching him plug it), and LT explaining the man has been extremely supportive from debut on. I remember they talked a little about production, where Lewis told nowadays Sabina would be the one telling him this or that could or should change in a recording, where earlier he used to be kind of a control-freak and keep the entire process in his own hands. Richard played Lovin U More saying he loved that one; Lewis revealed his favs on the album were Send Me An Angel and Lovelight. After in conclusion Allinson asked Lewis where, next to the Camden-gigs, people could go and see him, he answered 'Anywhere where they'll have us' - in other words give us a call and we'll come over. Present: Lewis' Maida Vale Session on Gilles Peterson's WorldWide Show Beginning January 22, 2003 (midnight to 2 am), Lewis' session at BBC's Maida Vale studios will be broadcast on Gilles Peterson's WorldWide show, BBC Radio 1. This broadcast will be available every night for a week - enjoy! Here's what Phil Mulford, bass player in Lewis' band, had to say about the session: Radio 1 Session, Wednesday Hi All, We recorded a Radio 1 Session on Saturday for the Gilles Peterson Show 'WorldWide' which is Broadcast this Wednesday at Midnight. We recorded Shame, Lovelight, Stoned and Lucky. It was great fun playing with Lewis again. The Band vibe is getting stronger and this was recorded straight down, no overdubs. The version we played of Lucky actually carried on longer than you will hear as Broadcast, as we were just having a great time! I'm looking forward to the three nights at the JC. Gavin Harrison is playing drums on the Gigs, another really fine drummer and a great musician. Please come up and say 'Hi' at the JC, 'may the groove b with u', Phil Mulford Lewis joined Gilles in the Radio 1 studio for a live show on November 27, 2002. Some information about that show can be found at the fan forum: http://www.lewistaylormusic.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=395&page=1. Speaking of Gilles Peterson, his site presents the "definitive, alternative, left-side, WorldWide, All Winners chart for 2002 - as voted for by Radio 1 listeners." Noted at the site is the fact that well over 5000 votes were collected... and Lewis' Stoned | Part One came in at number 26 (out of 50). Congratulations, Lewis! The album is number 7 in 'Gilles' Record Box', and all of this can be seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/urban/peterson/allwinners2002.shtml. Future? Seems that often Gilles Peterson's featured guests - some with associated Maida Vale sessions as well - are posted in his 'From The Crate' section. We wouldn't be a bit surprised if Lewis' live interview and Maida Vale session appear in these online archives in future. Keep an eye on Gilles' site! http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/urban/peterson/features_archive.shtml Gig Reviews Lewis Taylor at London's Subterania, November 19, 2002 The word has been in on Lewis' Subterania gig for a long time now: 'outstanding!' However, that could be considered a rather bland adjective to describe what some have called THE gig of 2002. From the fan forums MarkRB My take on it all..... On he bounced in his suit looking energised and happy. The band had sounded tight playing a couple of instrumentals - including the George Benson version of 'World is a Ghetto', but however tight the chops were, the audience could sense that it was an appetiser and no more. The band looked and sounded fluid - with special props to Phil Mulford who really wrapped his bass around Lewis's songs new and old. Also, it's the first time I've seen Ash Soan play, great enthusiasm and animation, really driving the rockier sections of the night along. Lewis was his usual bashful self and I suppose it's kind of both nice and, on past experience, expected - although it's certainly not necessary - the mature Lewis is not stepping into musical clothes that don't fit. It is his sound, his mood and the paying audience were there to hear and adore him. Saying that, he's no longer 'hiding' behind his guitar and he looks more comfortable moving around the stage. Set-wise last night we were treated to almost the whole new album to kick things off - what can you say, live the songs sound really strong with great dynamics and a strong rock-soul groove. What was also apparent was that with an album of new material this strong Lewis is really spoiled in regards to material to play. I think he's got enough quality material on his 3 albums (not to mention the b-sides) to really make future live shows a real guessing game, the omission of 'thinking all about it', a live favourite being a case in point. Some artists take years to build up such a repertoire or are consigned to replaying the two or 3 killer cuts of their debut ad nauseam. The new material was great - with 'sheneverdid' and 'Lovelight' standing out for me. Following the 'Stoned part 1' session Lewis kicked in with the full-on Jam length version of Lucky, along with 'Song' and 'Track' ( I can't remember the order, mind!) . It was great to hear the stripped-down version of these two tunes - the focus on the voice and guitar playing had the revved up audience silent with true appreciation. I also believe that I agree with Lewis' statement that this was his best band to date, but lets focus on the man himself - his singing was immense, 100% on the ball, soulful and loud enough in a really good mix. I don't think I've heard him sing better. What can I say - Lewis is a really special artist and I'm having a real hard time reconciling an artist that I hold so dear to me being a) alive, b) current and c)..damn it, from Barnet! Detroit I expect..Barnet - I don't think so. Roll on January and the Jazz Café. What happened at the aftershow - work commitments messed that option up for me unfortunately! Cheers MarkRB editor's note: the aftershow was cancelled due to the late hour by the time the gig ended & everyone had left the Subterania. For more very eloquent and interesting fan reviews, click through to http://www.lewistaylormusic.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=362&page=1. Online Subterania Review by Dotmusic.com In 'Indie' (originally was on the front page) at http://www.dotmusic.com/ Lewis Taylor - Subterania, London Lewis Taylor was last seen playing the Hanover Grand some two years ago, launching his cunningly-titled second album 'Lewis II'. His debut, 1996's 'Lewis Taylor', had been the sort of record that united critics in gushing praise/prose - a dark, funky and melancholic masterpiece of love gone wrong. Island Records released it on the strength of the demos while Elton John compared him to D'Angelo and bought about 80 copies - one for every room in his house. Despite such patronage, the album sold poorly. Island were clueless how to market their musical genius and people seemed more interested in buying Oasis records than Taylor's falsetto. 'Lewis II' offered more of the same - if anything it was even more musically extravagant. The critics' fanfare sounded again, but it suffered the same fate. Despite taking the roof off the Grand that night, the label dropped him soon after. By the way he bounds on stage tonight, all smiles and geezerish charm, it's obvious such past history is hardly weighing on Taylor's shoulders. He jokes with the crowd like he saw them last Tuesday and simply proceeds to play his new album in its entirety. The first song, 'Stoned Pt 1' - also the LP's title - sounds monumental, fleshed out with the filthiest guitar sounds and some glorious female backing. It's totally funkadelic and everything you imagined John Squire would write after The Stone Roses split but didn't. (If he'd been produced by Eddie Kendricks that is). The new material is generally more accessible than before. The likes of 'Send Me An Angel' are pure Motown, without any hint of darkness. They even sound like potential hits, though that thought probably occurred to Mr Island some six years ago. Occasionally, Taylor lapses into 'Baby, Baby, Baby' territory - lyrics are not his strong point, it must be said - but then the music twists and turns and yelps and we're flying again. Indeed, the best is saved for last when Taylor plays a solo acoustic version of 'Track' from his debut. The backing singers troop on and join in for the 'Friends say I should get over this.' bits and it all falls apart in laughter. It still sounds amazing. They finish with 'Song', 'Lucky' and 'Bittersweet', which is only marred by an eternal fret battle, a slap bass exploration and a drum solo. (Note to Lewis: that was this humble scribe screaming 'NO' when you asked if we minded if you jam). But it doesn't matter. He's back. He's better. He plays a mean guitar. But it anyone listening this time? Viewables Pictures from the Subterania gig are available for viewing at: http://fanclub.lewistaylormusic.com/subterania.html. There are also some pictures from the mini-gig at the HMV megastore at http://fanclub.lewistaylormusic.com/hmv.html. Stoned | Part One - Album Reviews The Daily Telegraph Saturday, November 9, 2002 arts.telegraph.co.uk Lewis Taylor Stoned: Part I (Slow Reality, £13.99) _________________________ Further proof of the idiocies of the British consumer, or perhaps of the British music industry. North London-born Lewis Taylor made one of the albums of 1996 with his eponymous debut for Island but it sank with little trace. It should be acknowledged that the idea of a multi-instrumentalist with a sweet voice whose music recalls Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, the Temptations and Prince brings two words to mind: Lenny Kravitz. But where Lenny has the tight buns, retro-fabulous crash-pad in Miami and the boorish rock tendencies, Lewis has the songwriting imagination and finesse. Stoned: Part One flags in the middle, but if there's a more splendid moment in pop this year than when the liquid guitar splurges over the opening title track in psychedelic fashion at 49 seconds, I haven't heard it yet. Caspar Llewellyn-Smith November 24, 2002 Posted at the fan forum by gimp that 'Computer Music' magazine had a very brief mention that Lewis had released another album. December 12, 2002 Posted at the fan forum by gimp that 'Music Week' had a bit about the success of Stoned | Part One along with a comment from Lewis in its 'Off the Record' column. January 3, 2003 posted by ribot at the fan forum: another article in the Times supplement 'if you're looking for a soul album which genuinely offers a peak into a world of altered emotional perceptions, then Stoned by Lewis Taylor could well be your bag of mushrooms. The London based thirtysomething veteran of many a derailed campaign, Taylor is one of those maverick talents who seems to operate in a space/fashion continium of his own devising. Like Prince and Lenny Kravitz, he takes a monomaniacal approach to the studio opting to produce, score, sing and play every instrument and burying himself so deep in the details of his songs that it takes the listener a while to get any sense of seeing the wood for the trees. Wah wah guitars, a hip-hop beat, phasing effects and a blast of Beatles harmonies all vie for attention on the title track. But there is beauty within the carefully sculpted mayhem, not least in Lewis' sweet falsetto voice voice as it weaves it's way through the bluesy, psychedelic mist of Lewis IV. "What kind of love affair have i been pulled into?/ Baby my heart is open wide", he sings in a voice so yearning and stretched that it all but turns to elastic. This is the first time he only gets 3/5 & amusing quote abuot 'a veteran of many a derailed campaign' made me chuckle! January 16, 2003 Posted by ribot at the fan forums: Time Out Preview He's duetted with Carleen Anderson, played hammond for Daniel Bedingfield and guitar for prog rock grandees The Edgar Broughton Band. So Lewis Taylor is not your average soul singer, even if he does go 'oh baby!' every other breath. Back in 96 when his self-titled debut came out, he spent 15 minutes as the great white hope of British soul. But there was a hint of the marketing woes to come when as a guest DJ on Kiss FM one Sunday night. As he spun tracks from Can, The Beach Boys, Tim Buckley's 'Star Sailor' and Scott Walker's 'Tilt', a million car-radio dials twizzled away, never to return. After two albums, Island records dropped him. In truth, his lubricious grooves make D'Angelo or Maxwell more obvious comparisons. But Taylor's sense of drama gives away his love for rock's most imaginative outposts. Like the 70's soul gods whose memory he summons-Stevie, the Isleys, Marvin especially- he can rock out, get funky, go weird, sing ten harmonies and cry 'ow!' all on the same tune. Behind the loverman lies the nerd who's covered the Bee Gees and Jeff Buckley and the Stylistics and Yes. Who likes music more than cool. New album Stoned Pt 1 is his most consistent yet. 'Send Me An Angel' has a pulsing melancholy- imagine a more gifted Lighthouse Family- while 'Lewis IV' and 'Sheneverdid' are soulchedelic beuties. Live, the studio solisist fronts a full band whose heaving two-hour Subterania set in November was a far cry from early trepidious London dates. A fluid guitarist, he sings like a slightly soiled cherub too. I do believe i'm gushing baby. Hit Sheet http://www.hitsheet.co.uk/ Hit Sheet, a music industry magazine, promotes great music and artists; each issue comes with a free CD of tracks from various artists signed and/or unsigned, featured as either Records of the Week or a special genre collection. Lewis was featured as a Record of The Week on page 5 of issue #15 in November 2002, and was set to be featured on the cover of issue #18, which was available to subscribers earlier this month. The 'Hit Sheet Priority CD 2003' that went out with issue #18 has 17 tracks, starting off with Lovin U More and ending with Send Me An Angel. Official Lewis News Availability Don't forget to check the home page of the fansite - http://www.lewistaylormusic.com/ . There's a box on the right side of the page where official current and upcoming news is kept updated by management. Currently in the Official News is the following: "Influential industry tome 'Music Week' joins the long list of critics raving about Lewis's October 2002 release 'STONED - PART ONE' following nothing but excellent press and heavyweight support from, amongst others, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Q, Mojo, Uncut, Radio 1, Kiss FM and Jazz FM radio. No small feat for an independent! All this plus Elton John unexpectedly plugging the album on BBC1 prime time TV. Speaking to camera on Liquid News, Elton suddenly pulled 'Stoned' out of his coat pocket and advised viewers to 'buy this, he is fantastic' before handing a copy to fellow guest Ms Dynamite saying 'I bought this for you'. Following, Lewis's recent Subterania 'comeback' gig -described in Hit Sheet as 'life-changing...' and described by Jazz Fm as the 'gig of the year' - three more consequetive dates at the Jazz Cafe, London have been added for Monday 20th Jan, through to Wednesday 22nd January. The album continues to be available 'as recommended listening' nationally through all HMV stores, a major UK retail outlet who have been remarkably supportive of the project.The album will also now be available from all Fopp Shops throughout the UK with other major outlets to follow. The album can also be ordered on-line, including internationally, from www.hmv.co.uk." Trivia Question answer: Lewis Taylor! Lewis-Lovers' Links http://www.lewistaylormusic.com/ - Fansite with hugely popular forums... this is the place for Lewis fans to hang out online, and Lewis himself contributes from time to time. Lots of information, mp3s and pictures here. There's even a forum specifically for questions to and answers from Lewis, whenever he is able and/or has inclination to answer. http://fanclub.lewistaylormusic.com/ - Lewis Taylor's Fan Collection. a site for and about Lewis fans. Show your love of and support for Lewis' music by going visible online with all the other fans there - or just have some fun checking out who else loves Lewis' sounds. http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Arena/7463/ - The first fansite online; still there, with some recent updating and activity. Lots of great information for Lewis fans to peruse. http://www.soul24-7.com/ - The hugely popular internet radio station with a soul forum to post messages at. Hear Lewis music played regularly by the What's The Word team on their show, or try requesting a Lewis tune by emailing direct to any DJ on-air at studio@soul24-7.com. The more requests received and forum posts made about Lewis, we believe, the more likely the station will get behind The Man and his new album! http://www.slowreality.com/ - Lewis' official record company site. The site is currently being built... don't give up checking the link, even if you get a 'holding page' notice currently; keep checking back because it's coming soon - even sooner than our last mention! http://www.hmv.co.uk/ - Here of course because this is where to purchase Stoned | Part One online! Contact Positively Beautiful: All questions, comments, contributions and suggestions are happily received at positivelybeautiful@telus.net. We thank all fans for their valued and interesting contributions to the newsletter. Until our next issue - take care, keep the Lewis faith, and spread the Lewis word! The Legend is back! Positively Beautiful -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send an email to positivelybeautiful@telus.net with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line of the email, and the email address you wish to unsubscribe in the body of the email. 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