Famous Among the Barns

Famous Among the Barns

Famous Among the Barns

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Raised in a musical family (parents are Carly Simon and James Taylor), lead singer/songwriter Ben Taylor was immersed in music from an early age. Taylor explains, "My first memory's of music blend in with the rest of my senses. I can remember attending the concerts and studio sessions of every one from Carol King to Foreigner by the time I was 7 years old. Nearly everyone I have ever looked up to and have ever known has been a professional musician." Surprisingly, Taylor didn't originally set his sights on a music career. Having traveled extensively all over the globe, from Tibet to the Darien Rain forest, he developed a fierce love for nature. "Up until that point I wanted to be a farmer or a gardener," the now 25-year-old composer and vocalist admits. "It was something that had to evolve in me. I don't think you can just wake up one morning and announce, 'Hey, I'm a songwriter.' Not even coming from my family. I think you have to go through a few life experiences to arrive at a point where you have something to say, something that means something, something that will make a contribution."

Realizing his knack for writing and ready to share his music with the world, Taylor spent time crafting songs on his acoustic guitar, finally letting the lyrics of his life flow. While spending time in Los Angeles the past few years, he met and formed a strong creative bond with drummer, Larry Ciancia. Together they rounded up a group of friends to record the new songs.

The Band's main inspiration is from "everyday happenings": emotions, relationships, even the glory of the great outdoors that surrounds them. Taylor explains, "It's just like every other idea that comes to you-it gives you a little tickle and you go, 'Okay, is this something that everyone wonders about or worries about?' Ideally, what I want to write about are things that have relevance not just in my life but in a universal sense as well. I want people to listen to our songs and feel or discover something new about themselves or the world we live in. That's the power of music: to move, to motivate, to make you ask 'What if?' or 'Why?' I think that music should give voice to people's emotions." This voice is clear in the organic blend of music on Famous Among The Barns.

The songs are an eclectic mix of moods and definitive moments in time. Songs like "Just Like Everyone Else" an upbeat ditty that serves as a reminder to keep things real; "It's a Good Day to Be Alive" a trippy number that celebrates birthdays (and un-birthdays); "I Am the Sun" a deep ballad about "The Guy in the Sky", but also embraces family history; "Let it Grow" the rock driven tune condemning society's wasteland; "I'm An Island" drawing its inspiration from a secluded spot in Panama and a broken heart; "Day After Day" a tribute to all women; "Safe Enough to Wake Up" about opening your eyes to the world around you; "Time of the Season" the interpretive cover of the "cool and sexy" '60s classic.

The Ben Taylor Band's sound is genre defying as Larry explains, "It's extremely difficult to categorize our sound: it's part pop, part rock-and-roll, part folk. But honestly, it's like nothing I've been hearing out there lately-which is either a very good or a very bad thing." Taylor adds, "I couldn't be more proud to sound like either of my parents, physically or stylistically, this is who I am. But I am a different guy and I write different music."

The Ben Taylor Band is poised to release their first album to retail stores in the Winter of 2003. "What we're looking forward to most is getting out there and touring around, meeting the masses," says Taylor. "Connecting with the audience-that's what it's all about."

Product Description
Concise melody and emotive lyric paves one unique story after another with The Ben Taylor Band's remarkable debut album, "Famous Among the Barns". Featuring the velvety, soothing vocals of Ben Taylor, son of Carly Simon and James Taylor and a highly skilled band the album takes listeners on a journey through an array of finely crafted songs with hypnotizing melodies. An incredible collection of high quality songs leading most listeners to enjoying the entire album. The songs are an eclectic mix of moods and definitive moments in time that were originally crafted on acoustic guitar. A record that has the potential of becoming a timeless classic.

Famous Among the Barns,The Ben Taylor Band,Iris Records Label,Adult Alternative,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Folk-Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Wonderfully well written songs
Famous Among the Barns
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ben...
  • major disappointment
  • all wrapped up in one
  • WOW!
  • Fresh
Famous Among the Barns
Ben Taylor
Manufacturer: Iris Records Label
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Folk RockFolk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000077W1M
Release Date: 2002-08-01

Tracks:

  1. Island
  2. Let It Grow
  3. I Am the Sun
  4. Day After Day
  5. No More Running Away
  6. Safe Enough to Wake Up
  7. Time of the Season
  8. Just Like Everyone Else
  9. A Good Day to Be Alive
  10. Mushroom Dance
  11. Rain
  12. Tonight

Album Description

Concise melody and emotive lyric paves one unique story after another with The Ben Taylor Band's remarkable debut album, "Famous Among the Barns". Featuring the velvety, soothing vocals of Ben Taylor, son of Carly Simon and James Taylor and a highly skilled band the album takes listeners on a journey through an array of finely crafted songs with hypnotizing melodies. An incredible collection of high quality songs leading most listeners to enjoying the entire album. The songs are an eclectic mix of moods and definitive moments in time that were originally crafted on acoustic guitar. A record that has the potential of becoming a timeless classic.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Ben..........2007-05-01

Yes Ben is the son of Carly Simon and James Taylor but he is his own person. With his own thoughts and own way of thing about life. He is not James Taylor. If your looking for James Taylor you won't find him but you will find and amazing song writer and singer. With parents like his how could he not be. I hear James in his voice and see both of his parents in his face but I love his music. Because it moves me. Not because he is the son of Carly Simon and James Taylor. Im buying all of them. Its just about on of the greatest finds ever!!! Im very happy.

1 out of 5 stars major disappointment.......2006-10-20

i bought this album based on the rave reviews and because i've been a long-time devoted enjoyer of his dad's music. james taylor's last cd is just as impressive and beautiful as his early stuff. this cd of ben's, however, does not come close to james' quality and style. i do not recommend this album if you are looking for something along the lines of jt's work. ben's album is poorly produced, simple and adolescent.

4 out of 5 stars all wrapped up in one.......2006-10-04

if you could somehow squisk jt and carly together you would come up with ben's voice yet he stands alone lots of talent here very raw it will be interesting to here his growth this album is great but not michael jordan yet buy it

5 out of 5 stars WOW!.......2006-07-31

Ben is the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon and appears to be loaded with talent. The first three tracks on this CD are fantastic! :) Ben is truly a great singer/songwriter and has a voice as good or better than JT. This CD is a very pleasant surprise from a man who has much promise. The songs are an eclectic mix of moods and definitive moments in time. This is a gem!!

4 out of 5 stars Fresh.......2005-09-08

It makes a pleasant change to hear something fresh these days, and Ben Taylor is just that. This is pop music, with hints of rock, and folk. But somehow it's different to all the jangly me-too stuff you hear on the radio. Musically it's ambitious, and strives hard to be unique in its arrangements and melodies. And there's Ben's familiar (to anyone who knows his father's music) voice as the icing on the cake. Okay, so he sounds like his father, but honestly I prefer Ben's velvety tones.
The songs are pretty much all very catchy, with good hooks, nice harmonies. I wouldn't call any of them great in the true sense, but this is nice, upbeat music that puts you in a good mood, and there's too little of that around.

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