JOHNNIE TAYLOR
There's No Good in Goodbye (Malaco Records)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Johnnie Taylor began his musical career in Gospel music with the Melody Kings, and later the Soul Stirrers, but he's perhaps best known for his work on Stax/Volt and the label with which he spent the last fifteen years of his life, Malaco. In between those two R & B and soul waystations, he received a great deal of attention on CBS for his Disco Lady in 1976. The Philosopher of Soul recorded a dozen records, until a heart attack, likely brought on by the cumulative effects of years of hard living, felled Johnnie in 2000. There's No Good in Goodbye features 15 previously unreleased tracks from the 1980s and 1990s, and would likely have provided quite a strong jolt to his career. His vocal skills are in fine form on "If You're Looking for a Fool" and "Take Me to the Mardi Gras." There's plenty of soul on There's No Good in Goodbye, and this posthumously released record is an outstanding introduction to a great soul singer.

Track List:

If You're Looking for A Fool * This is The Night For Making Up * Crazy 'Bout You Baby * Take Me to the Mardi Gras * Too Wise to Be Your Fool * Baby Sittin' * You Know It Ain't Right * I'm in a Midnight Mood * If You Take Your Love Away * I Found All These Things * Please Sign on the Dotted Line * Where Is Your Woman Tonight * Con Lover * Is This Love or Is This Business * I Reach for You * The Second Time Around

© 2003 - Eric Steiner