Like her famous brother James, folksinger Kate Taylor has shared a love for music since she could remember. Her roots in rockabilly and pop flesh out her connection to the classic Appalachian stylings she's known to perform. She formed her first band at 15 and had a solo deal with Atlantic four years later; Sister Kate marked her debut in 1971.
A self-titled sophomore effort appeared in 1978, showcasing production work by brother James and Barry Beckett (Alabama, J.J. Cale, Bob Dylan). Kate Taylor was an impressive piece of work; however, 1979's It's in There didn't fare as well. From here, Taylor took a break from the music industry. She resurfaced in 2003 after a 23-year sabbatical to release Beautiful Road. This particular album is a personal one for Taylor. Her longtime manager and husband, Charlie Witham, became ill during its recording and died several months prior to Beautiful Road's April 2003 release. Beautiful Road was dedicated to him.
by MacKenzie Wilson
Tracks
1. A Fool In Love (Ike Turner) - 3:36
2. Smuggler's Song (Clay Jackson, Ethan Signer) - 2:43
3. Harriet Tubman (Walter Robinson) - 3:33
4. Stubborn Kind Of Woman (George Gordy, Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson) - 4:03
5. Happy Birthday Sweet Darling (James Taylor) - 3:00
6. It's In His Kiss (The Shoop, Shoop Song) (Rudy Clark) - 2:43
7. Slow And Steady (James Taylor, Zach Wiesner) - 3:22
8. It's Growing (William Robinson, Warren Moore) - 2:54
9. Tiah's Cove (Charlie Witham) - 2:50
10.Rodeo (Livingston Taylor) - 3:20
11.Jason And Ida (Duane Giesemann, Kate Taylor) - 2:28
Musicians
*Kate Taylor - Vocals
*Kenny Ascher - Piano
*Rubens Bassini - Percussion
*Errol "Crusher" Bennett - Percussion
*Kenneth Bichel - Piano
*Randy Brecker - Trumpet, Tenor Saxophone
*Don Brooks - Harmonica
*Ron Carter - Bass
*Ronnie Cuber - Baritone Saxophone
*Jessy Dixon - Backing Vocals
*Cornell Dupree - Guitar
*Steve Ferrone - Drums
*Steve Gadd - Drums
*Don Grolnick - Organ, Piano
*John Hall - Backing Vocals
*Elsa Harris - Backing Vocals
*Bingo Hodges - Backing Vocals
*Will Lee - Bass
*Tony Levin - Bass
*Ralph Macdonald - Percussion
*Arif Mardin - Strings, Arranger
*Lou Marini - Tenor Saxophone
*Onnie McIntyre - Guitar
*Jeff Mironov - Guitar
*Gary Mure - Drums
*Alan Rubin - Trumpet
*David Sanborn - Alto Saxophone
*Carly Simon - Backing Vocals
*David Spinozza - Arranger, Horn
*Alex Taylor - Backing Vocals
*David Taylor - Trombone
*James Taylor - Guitar, Horn, Backing Vocals
*Richard Tee - Piano
*David Tofani - Tenor Saxophone
