BEN TAYLOR: Deeper Than Gravity

Ben Taylor

Deeper Than Gravity

© 2006 Iris Records (020286100225)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

6 acoustic songs recorded in hotel rooms, back stage kitchens and the likes 3 cover songs and 3 of Ben's Songs.

notes

Ben Taylor’s new 6 song EP: “Deeper Than Gravity” stands like Ben Taylor himself; 6 heads above the rest. You can see it come up over the horizon as it plays through your speakers like sun over the morning trees.

While EP releases are typically no more than glorified compilations for devoted fans, “Deeper Than Gravity” is a decided departure from the rest. In it, Ben steps from behind the tall shadows of parents James Taylor and Carly Simon a full-grown musician, bare footed and firmly strapped into a rusted stringed guitar.

“The songs are pretty stripped down,” admits Taylor “We recorded them on the fly.” Somewhere between midnights on tour buses, in smoke filled hotel rooms, near microphones and microbrews Ben and Co. fitted said songs onto tape and they became “Deeper Than Gravity.”

‘Nothing I Can Do and ‘Digest’ are songs from Taylor's acclaimed release Another Run Around The Sun. A version of Macy Gray's ‘I Try’ is filled with a bluesy, late-night broken string vibe. Merideth Sheldon joins Taylor on Portishead's ‘Glory Box,’ to add a husky flange femfetal effect on the folk-i-fied trip hop song. ‘Lady Magic,’ presents an intense and yet casual sound, complete with shoebox percussion. In the classic ‘You Belong To Me,’ previously recorded by such luminaries as Patsy Cline, Tori Amos and Sam Cooke, Ben’s interpretation accentuates the longing and hopelessness of the lyric. In it are hints at Ben Taylor’s heritage.

"The truth is," says Ben, "The songs I write really are similar to my dad's.” which is no surprise seeing as he grew up playing his fathers music on guitar..” and he was the songwriter who influenced me the most on the musical side. It was my mom taught me how to write lyrics." He glows with a pride about his parents which seems to have little to do with their celebrity.

Deeper Than Gravity demonstrates Taylor’s ability to write insightful lyrics, sing with a depth of emotion and soulfulness that's reminiscent of the early recordings of his father and to translate classics into new emotional languages never before visited by musical notes.

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  • Mesmerizing
    author: Sarah

    This EP is a gem. “You Belong to Me” is my favorite, the one I sometimes set to repeat. I had never heard it before Ben’s version, although I gather it was recorded by Patsy Cline. The words are gorgeous and vivid, and his delivery is simple and sincere. Lady Magic‘s funky fusion flavor has a contagious groove and the lyrics and rhyming are strong. The raw acoustic version of Portishead’s phenomenal “Glory Box” with its haunting harmonies is mesmerizing. “I Try” is another great cover. I love the unadorned guitar and the richness of Ben’s vocals in a low register. In my opinion, “Digest” also becomes a more powerful song in acoustic form. I’m astounded at the chiming beauty of the riffs alone – it reminds me of a waterfall. That leaves “Nothing I Can Do” – I think this very beautiful song with its lovely descending arpeggios sounds even sweeter acoustically.

  • Deeper Than Gravity
    author: kathryn Phillips

    Fantastic CD. I play it constantly.

  • You Belong To Me
    author: Sherry Jennings

    LOVE THIS CD! Ben's rendition of You Belong To Me is my favorite. Nothing I Can Do is a beautiful. When I heard it, I couldn't wait to play it for my Sweetheart, and tell him the song reminded me of him. THANK YOU!!

  • Solid CD! Well worth the purchase.
    author: Utah Musician

    Excellent acoustic version of Ben's music. Solid, yet raw. Easy listening, smooth vocals, great recordings. I especially like the cover of "Glory Box" . . .it transported me to another place--very tantalizing.

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