Bentley's Bandstand
Otis Taylor will throw a curve ball just to see where it goes. Sometimes it ends up right where he wants it, confusing the batter but causing everyone to smile in wonder at the skill of it all. Taylor's last album was based around the banjo, and while in a pinch he might be described as a bluesman, there is no way he's going to sit comfortably with that definition. For Pentatonic Wars And Love Songs, the multi-talented musician pulls out several special pitches, mixing up the sounds so all the listener can do is shake their head at Taylor's winning temerity. He digs down into his family history for songs like "Silver Dollar on My Head" and "Mama's Best Friend," using a voice that seems to come from beyond a valley of mist and words that respect mystery as much as literal meaning. It is in those times that his blues open up like an old screen door onto a backyard valley of sunshine and rain. There is no way any simple definition will do to describe what Otis Taylor does. Hell, he probably couldn't describe it either. But needless to say, there is some serious mojo working here, as musicians like Jason Moran, Gary Moore, Ron Miles and others throw in to create a collage of striking emotions, some so strong like "I'm Not Mysterious" that they can make the skin crawl and cats shriek. This is an album to approach with all preconceptions checked at the coatroom. There isn't anything to really compare it to, which is a gift these days, and for those who are looking to be surprised and slightly shocked, step right up. Otis Taylor might be writing what he loosely calls love songs, but he is also letting us in on the fire next time.
