Hello! I decided to show you the article that the Clinton Chronicle newspaper wrote about me and my latest efforts:
Byron Keith Taylor's Latest CD
Catching Up With A Busy Hell's Kitchen Artist
By Spoons, Saloon Columnist
Not long ago, back in the dog days of summer, I needed a quick cold one so I popped into Rudy's Bar and Grill at 44th and 9th, I mean, where else can you get a cold, refreshing Bud for just $3?
As I evaded the onset of heat prostration, I saw a familiar face at the bar, deep in conversation with several other people. Could it be? Was that...Byron? Yes it was and we greeted each other warmly. Had it really been over TEN YEARS since we wrote about Byron here in Clinton Chronicle? Yup! "So, uh, what you been up to?" I asked... "Not much,Byron said. "I just received my third Master's degree, which is in English and Creative Writing, from Southern New Hampshire University.I want to go for my PhD starting next year as well."
"And you?" Byron asked. But your MUSIC, I said deftly changing the subject...I asked Byron about his music. Since Byron is a well-known Hell's Kitchen performer, he has been writing songs since the age of 12, I asked if anything was happening there.
And that's when I learned about the new CD "The Raven Trail." It sounded great! So I asked Byron to send me some info for the readers. Here's a rundown of the tracks:
(1) Beautiful: This song was written a few years ago as a homage to a man loving a woman without any hidden agendas or schemes. I wanted the song structure to be simple and the lyrics direct and concise.
(2) I Need You Now: I wrote this song when I was just 15 years old. Just like "Beautiful," I played all of the instruments on this one. In fact, I sang all of the vocals and arranged and produced every track on the entire EP.
(3) Come with Me: This song was fun to write and record. It's what I call Wagnerian Pop because the story is inspired by the Flying Dutchman legend where a sailor is doomed for eternity to roam the seas until he finds a woman who is willing to love him forever.I'm often inspired by myths and legends in my work.My first CD, "Castle of Dreams," was inspired by Arthurian legends and archetypes.
(4) Promises: This song is derived from the basic narrative of the second book I wrote which bears the same name as the title of the CD, "The Raven Trail,"which is the story of an African-American male who was raised by Cherokee Indians to become one of the last great chiefs during the latter part of the 19th century. it was an idea I had after reading the book, "Black Indians" by William Loren Katz. One of the great missing chapters in American history is the close relationship between African-Americans and Native Americans especially during the post Civil War years and this is my way of respecting that often-ignored fact.
(5) The Raven Trail: I'm very proud of this song because it's what prompted me to write the novel about my fictional character, Raven, or Kaw La Na (in Cherokee). It's unique in my catalogue of songs because the verse part is in 3/4 while the chorus part is in 4/4 time signature.
Bonus Tracks:
(1) The Little Things: Inspired by the book "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson. (2) Christine Marie: Written for my girlfriend's recent birthday and is a sneak peek for the next project I plan to work on next year.
For info on this CD and everything else this human dynamo does, go to http://www.byronkeithtaylor.com. The visit will be rewarding!
I hope that you agree with him that my site is rewarding and I hope you come back for more music, fiction, and news!BKT:)