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King Size Taylor

Taylor Made (10-inch EP and CD)

Review by Gary Hill

This is a cool new release from Bear Family Records. Pretty much everything they do is classy, and this is no exception. Not only do you get a 12-track 10-inch vinyl record, but you also get a CD of music. King Size Taylor was competition for the Beatles in the early 1960s. I have previously reviewed another set of his. His brand of rock music works really well, with comparisons to The Beatles being appropriate. I should mention that I have used some of the track reviews from the previous review here, although I'm not positive that the versions of the songs are precisely the same. Also, there are a few duplicates from the record to the CD, and I've used those reviews both places for the sake of consistency. In some cases, I've used quotes of sections of track reviews. In other cases, I've used the full track review without quotes. It should also be mentioned that this includes a cool "scrap book" and postcard.

You will find bonus video footage of this release available at the Music Street Journal Youtube channel here: .youtube.com/watch?v=6szhLuD2Kfc

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021  Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.


Track by Track Review
Vinyl Record
           
Side 1
                     
Bad Boy

This has such a tasty rock and roll sound. I dig the guitar fills. When I reviewed this song that the Beatles had success with previously, here's what I said about it. " I definitely prefer the version by the Fab Four. This one has a lot more old school rock and roll edge to it, though."

All Around The World
The bouncy kind of groove on this number works well. The number really rocks and swings with style. Here's what I said about it in a previous review, "I like the element added by the horn on this tune. This is a fun tune that works well."
Slippin' And Slidin'
Here's what I said about this in a previous review. "With a lot of style and charm, this isn’t a big surprise or change. It just works well. I love the bass line on this." I should add that that horn really wails here.
Hello Josephine
Another old school rock and roller, this is effective, but not a big change. I really love the rocking instrumental section on this tune.
Looking For My Baby
I love the energy and groove on this stomper. This is such a fun tune. The guitar interplay and horn wailing really send this over the top.
Saw My Baby With Another Guy
There is a bit of a “Secret Agent Man” vibe to this. It’s another with a bit less than optimal recording. It still stands pretty darned tall despite that. That’s a testament to the strength of the tune.
Side 2
                  
Somebody's Always Trying

This is a cool rocker. If my research is correct, Jimmy Page plays on the tune. This has a real 1960s rock sound to it. This is one of the strongest tunes here.      

Stupidity
The wailing sax on this is a real powerhouse. The tune’s old school rock and roll groove is quite effective.
Heeby Jeebies
This is a live performance. Here's what I said about the tune when I reviewed the studio version, "Vocals bring this into being. The band joins after a while, with a classic rock and roll kind of groove." That fits this version, too. The guitar solo is on fire.
Short On Love
Another powerhouse rocker, this is a lot of fun. It has so much energy and groove. Here's what I said about it in another review, "This makes me think of The Animals for some reason."
Lipstick, Powder And Paint
This cut is a fun one. It’s not one of my favorites, but its classic rock and roll delivery works well.       
Good Golly Miss Molly
Here is a cover of the Little Richard classic. This is a solid performance, but the recording seems a little flat.
CD
                    
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

The recording on this is muddy and leaves a lot to be desired. The tune works better on the louder sections that on the quieter dropped back portion. It's a decent, but not special, performance.

Baby
Starting on piano, this works out to bouncy kind of mid-tempo rocker. I don't like the vocals on this, and the cut is one of the weaker ones here. The recoding quality is an issue on this number, too.
Great Balls Of Fire
Now, this is a lot of fun. The recording quality is better (but not perfect), and they do a strong version.
Guitar Boogie
This instrumental has some intriguing guitar work in a driving arrangement. There is almost a bluegrass edge to the piece, but it probably fits as rockabilly more than anything else.
Roll Over Beethoven
This Chuck Berry cover really has a rockabilly edge to it. While it's fun, it seems a little low energy. They throw a little "Blue Suede Shoes" into the mix.
So Long
The energy ramps up here, and this cut works well. It still has some of that rockabilly aspect, but not to the same degree.
I Want You To Know
This rocker is a step up from the one before it. It's a fun tune with a good energy and groove. The piano really shines.
Mean Woman Blues
The musical structure on this makes me think of another old rock and roller, but for some reason I can't place it. This is up-tempo and entertaining.
Autumn Leaves
An acoustic guitar solo tune, this has a shuffling rhythm and a rather folk meets classical music concept. It get some other elements in the mix at times.
Lend Me Your Comb
The recording on this old-school rock and roller isn't great. The tune works pretty well, though.
Matchbox

 With a jazzy, boogie woogie vibe, this is a fun romp. It also suffers just a little in terms of recording quality. The number works pretty well, though.   

Good Golly Miss Molly
This classic old-school rock and roller gets a fun treatment here.
Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On
Here's what I said about this song in another review, "I love the piano work on this tune. The energy and vibe are classy, as well."  This version is better than the one that started this CD off. Part of that is the recording quality, but I like this arrangement and the vocals better, too.    
Guitar Boogie
Another version of a tune we heard earlier, I prefer this take for certain. It has a great rock and roll groove. It's more old-school rock and roll and less rockabilly here.     
Shortnin' Bread Rock
Now, this rock and roller is so much fun. This is one of the most effective tunes on the whole disc. It has a great energy and just plain rocks.
Roll Over Beethoven
I much prefer this version to the earlier one. It's a lot closer to both Chuck Berry's concept and the type of rendition The Beatles did of it. This grooves and rocks so well. It's another highlight of the set.
Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey
This old school rock and roller is another highlight of the set. It is just so much fun. I love the piano and the whole rhythmic groove of the tune. This is a classic progression done with style.
Your True Love
I'd consider this to be sort of an "also ran." It's a good tune, but nothing all that special. The recording quality, while not terrible, does it no favors, either.
Guitar Boogie
The final version of this number here, this is a strong rendition. I'd consider it to land between the other two, though.
Saw My Baby With Another Guy
There is a bit of a “Secret Agent Man” vibe to this. It’s another with a bit less than optimal recording. It still stands pretty darned tall despite that. That’s a testament to the strength of the tune.
Piano Instrumental
Truth in advertising is on display here. This honky-tonk styled number is a lot of fun. Mind you, while the piano is in charge, it's not an unaccompanied solo.
Guitar Instrumental
I love the tasty rock and roll groove and guitar soloing on this. It sounds like it might be a live recording. If not there are some shouts and stuff put in to create the effect. It seems to fade down in the midst of the number.
Ooh, My Soul
This is an energized rock and roller that calls to mind Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard with a little Big Bopper in the mix. While it's fun, it's not a highlight. This one seems to fade down before it's over, too.
Baby
A slower moving cut, this has a lot of 50s rock and roll built into it. It's not bad, but also nothing that really grabs me.
Sad And Blue
This old school rock and roller is pretty fun. It has a good energy and catchy hooks.
Somebody's Always Trying
This is a cool rocker. If my research is correct, Jimmy Page plays on the tune. This has a real 1960s rock sound to it. This is one of the strongest tunes here.         
Looking For My Baby
I love the energy and groove on this stomper. This is such a fun tune. The guitar interplay and horn wailing really send this over the top.

 

 
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