OTIS TAYLOR
Respect the Dead (Northern Blues)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Otis Taylor's new Northern Blues release, Respect the Dead, is as passionate, angry and poetic as his W.C. Handy-nominated CD, White African. His CDs are history lessons and celebrations of the blues all in one. This time out, he continues his sharp-edged blues with a dozen tracks of acoustic blues steeped in history, like "Ten Million Slaves," "Changing Rules," and "Jump Jelly Belly," the latter about a company of African American troops in World War II. The centerfold of the CD surely will inspire Taylor next time out as it depicts the home of the 10th U.S. Cavalry at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the home of the Buffalo Soldier (the term American Indians used to describe African American soldiers' hair). Otis Taylor's touring more this year, and blues clubs and festivals are the richer for it. He's one bluesman not to be missed.

Track List:

Ten Million Slaves * Hands on Your Stomach * Changing Rules * 32nd Time * Baby So * Shaker Woman * Black Witch * Seven Hours of Light * I Like You But Don't Love You * Jump Jelly Belly * Three Stripes on a Cadillac * Just Live Your Life

© 2002 - Eric Steiner