Rick Taylor - The Poet And The Maiden

(May 2010) 9 tracks (45 mins): Brown Haired Maiden * A Lament * Jigs And Reels * Picture In My Heart * Anything From You * Maid Of The White Palms * Wild Mountainside * I'd Sail With You * You're The Reason Why.

Rick Taylor, trombonist with the Peatbog Faeries (among other groups), with an album of his own songs.

This album presents a different Rick Taylor from that known on the world stage, as trombonist with bands such as Peatbog Faeries - it's a set of songs, often referring to places and people he has met since moving to the Isle of Skye.

Since re-locating to Skye in 2002, Rick has become firmly embedded in Scotland's contemporary trad music scene - he has played with artists and bands as diverse as Peatbog Faeries, The Unusual Suspects, Martin Green's Green Machine, Harem Scarem, Jonny Hardie, Calum MacCrimmon, Back Of The Moon, Justin Currie, Amy Geddes, Sandy Wright, Christine Hanson, Colin MacIntyre, Fiona Mackenzie, Karine Polwart, The Chair, Blazin' Fiddles, Saltfishforty, Salsa Celtica and Rumba Caliente.

2009 saw Rick leading his large ensemble The Wayward Boys at their Celtic Connections New Voices debut, to both critical and public acclaim. He has also worked as a musical director, conductor or lecturer with Distil, Jim Sutherland's Banda Europa, Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College, Benbecula Lews College and Birmingham Conservatoire.

Rick's reputation was forged in the melting pot of London's first 'World music' explosion in the early 1980s. Already highly regarded as a jazz/funk player, he gained first hand knowledge of many world jazz styles. This versatility as a trombone player led to work with American jazz greats such as Gil Evans, and session work with pop artists including Elton John, George Michael, Chris Rea, Wet Wet Wet, Jamiroquai, Robbie Williams, Atomic Kitten, Spice Girls, Lighthouse Family, Embrace and Yusif Islam (Cat Stevens).

Rick Taylor (vocals, guitar) with Paul Brown (banjo, mandolin), Stu Haikney (drums), Jonny Hardie (fiddle), Huey Dowling (guitar), Al Price (harmonica) and Ryan Quigley (trumpet).

"Rick is a big lad and does things in a big way. Known across Scotland and the wider world as a jazz trombonist, and a member of several eminent traditional and cross-over bands, he is also a remarkable bringer-together of musicians, producing extraordinary results... The large-scale band pieces were the result of Rick's leadership and inspiration, and while the informality gave the impression of a group of friends in a kitchen session, the ensemble playing was astonishing..." (Duncan MacInnes)