Blind Passion
DivaDoll, 2022
8/10
The British singer-songwriter Katriona Taylor brings us 6 originals and 6 covers of blind artists here, where she’s joined by Vasillis Xenopoulos (saxes, flute), Robin Banerjee (guitar), Dominic Ashworth (spanish guitar), John Crawford (piano, percussion), Peter Hammond (piano, electric piano, Hammond organ), Dave Jones (bass) and Chris Nickolls (drums) for the jazz, soul and Latin influenced songs.
“Things Have Changed” opens the listen with Taylor’s soaring, expressive pipes alongside warm piano and calm drumming in the powerful climate, and “It Don’t Mean A Thing” follows with a swinging vibe that’s got a frisky rhythm section amid bright brass.
Elsewhere, “Master Blaster” brings plenty of cozy melody and funk nods to the cultured Stevie Wonder original, while “A Song For You” recruits an intimate landscape of soulful and emotive jazz sensibilities. “In The Name Of Love”, a Taylor original, then moves with a sublimely textured spirit of poetic song craft.
Further yet, “Light My Fire” puts a very unique spin on a tune we’ve all heard, but never quite like this, and “As You See Me Now” finishes with a Jools Hollland track interpreted with a lush and lively display of blues ideas.
Legally blind since the age of 7, Taylor’s arranging skills and songwriting prowess are certainly illuminated in this worldly, rich and timeless listen that wastes no time making a sizable impression.
Travels well with: Liz Terrell- It’s All Right With Me; Courtney Freed- Big Crazy Love