Byron Keith Taylor

Multi-instrumentalist Byron Taylor has just released a self-titled album called “Byron Taylor Songbook’.

This latest offering contains some of Byron’s finest works, and the singer/songwriter, producer and arranger undertook nearly all aspects of the singing and instrumental playing and arrangement.

Overall, the album projects a joyful feel and pleasant vibe. The album starts with She Doesn't Know It - which feels to have some country influences, and also makes use of brass instrumental parts. Throughout the album the use of strings and brass compliment the tracks really well. An easy listen for anyone. The album explores various genres, yet the songs don’t lose their identity - you can tell they're Byron’s throughout. As an Adult Contemporary, Pop album it’s likely to appeal to a wide audience.

With masses of experience, Byron started singing at the tender age of just three. By 12 he was beginning to song write and progress further to ultimately become proficient in over a dozen instruments. Within this time he managed to forge his name by becoming a pitch perfect singer too.

Believing in quality writing and performances, he tailors his songs to appeal to both the mind and heart. To achieve this, he took further steps and studied Composition and Orchestration with the world-renowned composer Thea Musgrave - this lead him to become a featured performer in the Songwriters Hall of Fame showcase.

Byron explained that he felt some of the standout songs of his latest album are "Livin' Without Your Love," " She Doesn't Know It," "With All of My Heart," "The Raven Trail," and "The Knight and the Queen."

Some of Byron Taylor’s influences include: Beatles, Toto, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, and Richard Wagner. Having just traveled back from London where he played a few venues including the popular Old Street Records Pub, he now has more New York performance venues in the works. - Musictalkers.com

A lifelong dedication to music, has resulted in this new album ‘The Byron Taylor Songbook’, by of course, Byron Keith Taylor. His love for music began at the age of 3 when he began singing, where he discovered his gift for perfect pitch. He has since been classically trained by legends in music, mastering over a dozen instruments. All of this experience as an instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer has gone in to his greatest release yet, ‘The Byron Taylor Songbook’.

Byron’s music is an easy listening blend of pop and classical influences. The album contains 14 tracks, all written and produced by Byron himself. “The Byron Taylor Songbook, is a retrospective on my writing life as a multi-faceted artist who believes in quality, not trends”, says Byron. That’s always great to hear, staying true to oneself when creating music verses creating what you think others want to hear, always results in the best possible artistry. Take a listen to the album via YouTube below and pick it up via CDBaby. - Muzicnotez Magazine

For some of these collected singles from Byron’s page…we’re nearing the one-year anniversary of their creation. Some will say, you go out and you spend all that money on the studio and the production-dudes, that you should then be touring and supporting that very material for the next two or so years to justify the time, effort and money put into the making of. While I might not agree with that philosophy whatsoever myself, it’s also a battle between wanting to constantly push forward and create anew versus not letting a song get the attention it deserves. So when seeing some of these singles dated back as early as July last year, the majority of them, I’ve certainly got no problem reviewing someone’s past work at any given time. I mean…go ahead and unearth your garage-demos from 1979; you know I’ll listen.

Buy: http://byronkeithtaylor.com/

BUT…that being said…I don’t mind reviewing the PAST work…but where are today’s goods Byron? With five out of these six songs dating back to July’s release of The Raven Trail, that leaves one new song between then and now – is my math correct here people? Can I please ask someone close to Byron to kindly tip him over and make sure his pockets are empty? Methinks he’s holding out on us…

Anyhow…that’s certainly not going to change anything for me in these next five minutes…so I’m going with what I’ve got in front of me. Starting out with “Beautiful” I was impressed with the production and the performance even though being able to identify this as on the outside of my own regular genres of choice. It’s soft-rock…not quite soft enough that you’ll hear it in the dentist’s office, but quite close to that same kind of smooth and relaxing atmosphere that somehow makes us all feel better when getting holes drilled in our faces. Never really understood that.

“Beautiful,” much-implied by the title is also a love song, which is perfect for that genre. I got nothing against love or love songs, that’s no problem for my bearded chin…we all have love in common and sweet sentiments done right can always pull me in somehow. Along with Byron’s committed performance in this opening track, “Beautiful” displays great arrangement & mix in addition to some smooth vocal-flow through the lyrics. Though it’s nearly impossible to sing about love in ways that haven’t been before, Byron manages to find words that sound meaningful to him and is therefore able to communicate those clearly to us with strong conviction in his voice.

This…website…threatens to remix itself…what is…going…on…

Hmm. Okay. Learned something here on the ol’ Byron site…there isn’t any just switching back to the song you were listening to…it wants to play as many as you’ve clicked on…let’s try this again…nope…wait…this is on me and my computer…time for the ol’ restart…hang on!

Alright…so…where were we… “I Need You Now…” I hope it’s not completely horrible to say this but I think the very last two-seconds of this song might be my favourite part of it! That’s more credit to an awesome ending than it is a slight on a bad song; “I Need You Now” is another charming love song from Byron sung well with sparkling harmonies to back up the main vocals. This one drifts along dreamily through a very easy-listening style…inoffensive as it gets.

Though I often find myself at odds with the slightly over-rhymed lyricism throughout the catalogue of Byron Keith Taylor…it’s still hard to take away anything from a song based on that kind of stuff. I suppose it was “The Raven Trail” that made me think this way originally…a lot of this track I really, really like; a few of those rhymes come out a little forced I suppose but at the end of the day this track puts him into another category of singer/song-writers like Damien Rice perhaps, or bands like The Fray as the overall encompassing mood & atmosphere of this track really goes miles to display some great ideas.

Absolutely in the running as a highlight in this set is the song “Promises.” This track sounds authentic to me…you can really hear that extra 10% from Byron going after the meaning behind lyrics that truly represent him and the native culture very well. At times the song bends and shifts close to what you might actually hear from the slower melodic moments of Brandon Boyd and his crew in Incubus…it’s a little bit of a stretch of course, but it’s closer than you might think after hearing the first three tunes. Excellent saxophone steps into this one to really compliment the overall sound and deliver this song from good to great as it plays through.

Maintaining his pleasant vibe & atmosphere, Byron finds a sound closer to the pop-side of pop/rock on “Come With Me.” With its smooth pulse & rhythm, this is another standout for Byron whom incidentally has certainly shown the material growing stronger as the tracks play through. I like the vocal-flow here again…a lot of the lyricism is simplified somewhat to the main hooks and I think that works really well in “Come With Me” because I think he’s found a great one to work with. Putting different ideas out there through random vocalizations and additional saxophone parts, this track becomes a smoothed-out delight pretty quickly…this kind of song is extremely easy to put on & listen to.

And what do ya know – ALL of this had led somewhere. The most recent track, “The Little Things,” is a full-on exploration into the pop world while still maintaining the easy-listening vibe by leaning on a subtle R&B vibe. If this is the direction that Byron is heading, many people are going to find themselves extraordinarily pleased; it’s not just a better song, it’s a more confident version of Byron that’s completely excelling at his craft in full-swing. Definitely still possesses a throwback sound to the rhythm of old-school, but really comes out in a clever way that invites you back into a time when music wasn’t all clicks, beeps and scratched-up sounds mashed together.

So there’s definitely a progression here in Byron Keith Taylor’s work…you can hear audibly that the man is finding himself and his place in music as this playlist runs through, but at the end of the day as the final song ticks towards its final seconds…you certainly get the sense that he’s found the right path.

Find out more from his official page at: http://byronkeithtaylor.com

Support him at Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bktraventrail

Jer@SBS – http://sleepingbagstudios.ca/ - www.skopemag.com

"CASTLE OF DREAMS" A NEW CD FROM HELL'S KITCHEN MUSICIAN BYRON TAYLOR You may know BYRON TAYLOR from his gigs at BELLEVUE BAR on 9th Ave(formerly HELL'S KITCHEN BAR). Even though this talented musician/composer was born in Brooklyn, he has made Hell's Kitchen his second home. "Since I played the Bellevue Bar quite a few times", Byron told the CHRONICLE, "my Hell's Kitchen fan base has been building up. I hope the release of my CD, CASTLE OF DREAMS, will help me win a wider following." Byron, who attended the Aaron Copland School of Music and studied with composer Thea Musgrave, describes his music as a mix of Stevie Wonder and James Taylor with a Classical edge to it. The music of CASTLE OF DREAMS reflect's Byron's personal interest in mythology, particularly the King Arthur stories. While not all of Byron's songs contain medieval archetypes, he hopes he has created a contemporary Pop CD that also acts as a medieval narrative about two people who go through what Joseph Campbell called "The Hero's Journey" where they find each other, fall in love, and are transformed at the end. Byron wrote all the songs for CASTLE OF DREAMS, played 95% of the instruments, sang lead and background vocals, all while arranging and producing the CD. "I was pretty busy", Byron says with understatement. "One of the things I enjoyed most about making CASTLE OF DREAMS was using topnotch professionals." Topnotch is right. On Byron's CD you'll hear violinist LORENZA PONCE who toured last year with Sheryl Crow, and drummer JONATHAN MOVER who has played with Joe Satriani and Aretha Franklin. DAVE FISHER, who Byron calls his technical right hand man, engineered Lou Reed's latest release "Ecstasy". Byron received an assist on vocals from noted Jazz artist MELISSA HAMILTON. - CLINTON CHRONICLE

Byron Keith Taylor Dreamwalk Visit Byron's website Songwriters Hall of Fame, Byron Keith Taylor, is a versatile musician and songwriter who can play over a dozen instruments, sing, compose, arrange and produce. He describes his sound as James Taylor meets Stevie Wonder with an underlying classical edge. The classical edge is easily heard in his sophisticaled compositional style. If you have a moment, visit Byron's website and you can see one of his manuscripts where he composed the oboe part for 'With All My Heart.' In addition to his early training on a variety of instruments, Byron attended the Aaron Copland School of Music and studied with composer Thea Musgrave. In one of his website postings, Byron states"I would not have been able to orchestrate any of Dreamwalk without being educated by Thea Musgrave, a world-known composer of Opera, symphonic, and chamber works. She helped me unlock all the hidden secrets in my brain that would allow me to go beyond just putting all my ideas on a tape recorder. I am forever grateful to the one whom I call the Scottish Queen for all she has done for me."Byron Keith Taylor is also blessed with a gift called Perfect Pitch. For those of you who are not familiar with perfect pitch, it is the ability of a person to identify or sing a musical note without the benefit of a known reference. In other words, if you asked Byron to sing you a C he could sing you a C without a piano or guitar playing it for him. So where is all this leading? Well, if you combine advanced studies in composition from one of the world's best teachers with the gifts of perfect pitch and the ability to play numerous instruments - it isn't hard to see how a refined songwriter is born. When Byron set out to complete Dreamwalk he stated that he wanted to achieve a fully- realized pop album that contained some of his very best material. He wanted this album to be laden with smooth vocals, orchestral strings and woodwinds – all of which he would play. So, the question any reviewer has to ask is this: Did Byron succeed with his CD? Is this a fully-realized Pop album? Dreamwalk is described as a 10 original pop song album that is produced, arranged, orchestrated and performed by the artist. Wow. Kudos to Mr. Taylor for such an accomplishment. The first song I listened to was The Knight and the Queen. The production, as in all of Byron's songs, is excellent. This is a song I could easily hear in film. The lyrics are plush, painting a mystical story and Byron uses great imagery to paint a love story. Two other songs of notable mention are "I Love You" and "With All My Heart." The song "I Love You" is probably Byron's best. The lyrics are simple: "I love you, I love you, No other words can say how I feel, I love you, I love you." What makes this song work is that even though the lyrics are very simple “ the song is never trite and this is something that Byron pulls off very well. In today's rough-edged world, Byron is re-introducing the simple love song with a rich compositional style that makes them anything but simple. Is the world ready to hear simple love songs again? Love songs that are written from the heart and treated with respectful orchestration? And love songs that honor and respect a relationship? I hope so! You can easily hear Stevie Wonder's influence in this song. It has a great pop feel and the chorus is simple and strong. I can't help but imagine this song on every DJ's list being requesting at weddings or by lovers around the world. The same holds true for the beautiful song "With all my heart." This reviewer can see Byron Keith Taylor hitting it big in the song-writing, arranging and production industry. If he hasn't done so already, Byron needs to get his songs heard by numerous publishers. If I had one criticism, it would be that although his vocals are very good, at times his vocal tone sounds thin against the orchestration. The bottom line: It is clear that Byron Keith Taylor wrote, composed and produced this album with all his heart and if a pure and simple story of love is something that you would like to hear enveloped in smooth vocals and refined orchestration, then you will love this album. It is timeless and refreshing. It is simple, yet sophisticated. Byron Keith Taylor's songwriting is primed for the Adult Contemporary market and I believe there are a lot of adults and listeners of all generations who would welcome back the simple, yet refined art of the love song. Song Review: I Love You Rating “ 4 (Great work) - Who's Next?: A Music Review e-zine Los Angeles, CA

MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you Byron, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.

What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
Byron Taylor: Thank you for interviewing me! It’s an honor to be here! I started writing music when I was 13. I guess that listening to all of those wonderful artists during my childhood inspired me to become a Singer-Songwriter.

Website: www.ByronKeithTaylor.com
Facebook.com/bktraventrail
Twitter: @byrtayl
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

Byron Taylor: Well, my primary influences are the Beatles, Toto, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, and someone whom I consider to be extremely underrated, Dan Fogelberg. He wrote some truly beautiful music. When I graduated high school, I started exploring the world of Classical music and eventually studied under the great Thea Musgrave, a world-renowned Composer who studied under the legendary Nadia Boulanger. That’s when I got into composers like Wagner, Prokofiev, Bach, and Puccini. As far as becoming an Arranger, I briefly worked in my early adulthood with Misha Shufutinsky, a great Russian composer and arranger. I watched him arrange one of my songs in a recording studio once and I’ve never been the same. I learned so much from him just by watching how he would put an arrangement together. Afterwards, I studied Composition and Orchestration with Thea Musgrave.
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
Byron Taylor: As a musician, I strive for excellence every time I go onstage or set foot in a recording studio.When I sit down with a song idea, I want to write the best song I can. Of course, I would like my work to be heard by a great deal of people and in this day and age, I think it’s easier for artists to expose our material to the general public more than ever.The Internet is a wonderful tool and resource for musicians.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Byron Taylor: Every concert I have ever been to is important because I learn from each and every one.
MuzicNotez: Your latest release is the album ‘The Byron Taylor Songbook’, what does this release mean to you?
Byron Taylor: Thanks for asking that question! This latest CD is a retrospective of my years as a Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Arranger, and Multi-Instrumentalist. I tried to assemble original songs that best exemplified me as an artist, then and now. I really hope that people will like it.
Grab ‘The Byron Taylor Songbook’ via CDBaby here »


MuzicNotez: You play over a dozen instruments! I imagine this helps diversify the music you create, any instrument you don’t currently play that you’d like to learn next?
Byron Taylor: Another great question! I’ve always wanted to teach myself how to play the lute. I enjoy listening to Renaissance and early music as well as other forms of Classical music. I feel fortunate and blessed that I can play so many instruments because when I get a musical idea, I can play the different parts at home before I go to the studio and recreate them there. I’m sure you can believe how economically beneficial it is for a self-contained artist not to hire a great number of musicians on a shoestring budget. However, I also love playing with other musicians.
MuzicNotez: Being a self-produced artist, you can bring your true vision to life. But I’m sure it has it’s challenges too, any tips for other artists out there following in your foot steps?
Byron Taylor: I think that Shakespeare said it best: “To thine own self be true.” However, being true to own self indeed has its challenges. Sometimes, you get questioned about your musical tastes or choices, but every one is different. One should not be expected to play a certain kind of music solely based on what one looks like. As an African-American artist, I have encountered a certain amount of bigotry, but I don’t let that stop me from walking down my path. I love producing myself because no one is harder on me than myself. If I could offer any tips, I would just say that it’s important to listen your inner voice. It never lies.
MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
Byron Taylor: For the past few months, I’ve been writing music for the next CD that I will hopefully release late next year called “The Potter’s Wheel.” However, at the moment, my main concentration is on my latest CD, “The Byron Taylor Songbook.”
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Byron Taylor: Once again, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to be in your magazine and I would also like to thank the fans that have supported me and my music as well as my friends and family, including my brother Lonnie, who has supported me from day one. - Musicnotez Magazine

About Byron Keith Taylor:
“I’m a self-produced artist whose talents enable me to play more than a dozen different musical instruments. I began singing at the age of three and is noted for possessing perfect pitch. My songwriting endeavors began at 12 and during his teenage years, I sang lead for my own Pop group before venturing into solo territory. It was at this time when I began to see my individuality as an artist grow by working with Russian maestro Misha Shufutinsky, a legendary artist/producer in his country, and playing with jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino, a well-known artist based in Japan and his son, Kenji Hino who played in my band as a bass player and is a well-known artist as well. For a brief time at Queens College, I studied Music Composition and Orchestration with the renowned Classical/Opera composer, Thea Musgrave. My debut album, “Castle of Dreams,” was released in 2000 and was engineered by Dave Fisher, who worked on various commercial release including Lou Reed’s “Ecstasy” CD. My 2006 album, Dreamwalk, featured the work of guest violinist Lorenza Ponce, who has played with Sheryl Crow and Bon Jovi. The album took four years to complete; I produced and arranged it and performed all the singing and the bulk of the instruments. Upon the release of “Dreamwalk,” I was chosen to be one of the elite performers in the Songwriters Hall of Fame showcase for unsigned artists and received coverage from Billboard magazine. In 2010, I also appeared as a featured artist and was interviewed on Dublin public radio while studying to be a writer and educator at Dublin City University. A few years later, I released the EP “The Raven Trail,” which is based on a novella I wrote about a fictional African-American character raised by Native Americans. Another recent CD, “Tales from Worldhaven,” is loosely based on a fictional Steampunk realm full of original characters from my first novel. Now, the latest CD, “The Byron Taylor Songbook,” is a retrospective on my writing life as a multi-faceted artist who believes in quality, not trends.” - Top Mega News