OTIS TAYLOR
Double V (Telarc)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Otis Taylor's latest Telarc release continues in the vein of his earlier four releases that tell pretty disturbing, but historically accurate, stories of underdogs. In my opinion, Double V is just a little bit better than the critically-acclaimed Truth is Not Fiction, Otis' release from last year. Listen to the wistful sadness of "Buy Myself Some Freedom," the emotions that rip through "505 Train," or the plight of indigent senior citizens who have to choose between prescription medicine and food on "Plastic Spoon" and you'll see that Otis Taylor brings to light some of our most pressing problems. He's not all gloom and doom, though. When a sailor's wife pleads "Please Come Home Before It Rains," there's a jaunty, upbeat sense of optimism that fits the story of the sailor returning home from a long voyage on the open sea. Otis brings a fresh, understated approach to the blues, and it's likely you won't hear a cello, electric mandolin, or Ome banjo used with greater effect than on Double V. The enigmatic title refers to African-America's response to troops returning home from World War II. The nation's largest black newspaper, The Pittsburgh Courier, wanted to expand the then-universal "v for victory" sign with a second "v," to rally the Allies to fight for democracy at home and abroad. This campaign demanded that African Americans fighting overseas receive full citizenship rights at home. The stories behind the songs on Double V need to be told, and Otis Taylor brings history, particularly history from the Native American and African American points of view, home.

Track List:

Please Come Home Before It Rains * Took Their Land * Plastic Spoon * Mama's Selling Heroin * 505 Train * Mandan Woman * Sounds of Attica * It's Done Happened Again * He Never Raced on Sunday * Hurry Home * Reindeer Meat * Buy Myself Some Freedom

© 2004 - Eric Steiner