At the heart of Sean Taylor's music is a desire to turn the world into a song. His songs are of love, desire, heartbreak and social commentary. ‘Sean Taylor must be one of the best songwriters around’ (Blues Matters). He can ‘turn anything into a song’ (Classic Rock).
Sean is an international touring troubadour. He was nominated for the 2023 UK blues acoustic artist of the year award. His songs are best described as roots; influenced by blues, Americana, jazz, spoken word and folk music. As well as a prolific songwriter he is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player.
With The End of the Rainbow, his new album, Sean once again proves he is a great observer who is not afraid to sing his mind in order to to express his concerns and share his opinions.
Some people keep diaries, I make albums'. John Martyn. This makes perfect sense. I write, record, tour, and repeat.
‘The End of the rainbow’ is an album of hope and despair. We are surrounded by war and deprivation. Fear and famine. Terror is the daily reality for so many of us. Never have we been so divided, desperate, and alone. At the same time, there will always be hope. Resistance through solidarity, our collective experience, and the power of our shared humanity.
The triumph of tenderness over cruelty.
The album begins with 'Berlin', a song about a week I spent in one of the most vibrant and inspirational cities in the world.
'Eternal Damnation', '2024' and 'The End' are songs about the darkness of the world, but it’s not as though we have a choice. Life doesn't come with an alternative. No matter - 'we have to carry on' and we should 'always ask for more' ...
‘Invitation’ explores the challenging nature of relationships and loving, despite our imperfections.
'Mary Jane' is London-town Americana, a celebration with mandolins and banjos.
'DWP' is my own experience of trying to get help as a self-employed musician. The humiliation of being treated like dirt has pushed so many vulnerable people over the edge. This song is dedicated to those damaged and destroyed by a deliberately broken system. We are all Daniel Blake.
'Searching For Skip James' is the 1964 wonderfully true story of rediscovering blues legend Skip James in Mississippi. The song was inspired by the film 'Two Trains Running' which blends the civil rights murders with the search for Skip James and Son House.
'Way Down In Enniscorthy' is the boogie-woogie take on the amazing (and crazy) Wexford town. Home to blues festivals and the Slaney River.
‘Only Beauty Can Save The World’ is the call for universal human rights. Unless rights are universal, they are meaningless.
The album concludes with the hopeful hippie call of 'Gaia'. An embrace of our connections, and the belief that Mother Earth will always repair itself.
The album title ‘The End of the Rainbow’ is lifted from the lyrics to ‘Eternal Damnation’. All songs are written by Sean Taylor, except ‘DWP’ which was written by Sean Taylor and Mike Seal.
‘The End of the rainbow’ is the second collaboration between Sean Taylor and Brighton-based producer Ben Walker.
Album Credits
Sean Taylor – Vocals, Guitars, Piano & Harmonica
Ben Walker – Guitars, Banjo, Mandolin & Keyboards
Mike Seal – Double Bass & Electric Bass
Paulina Szczepaniak – Percussion & Drums
Errol Linton – Harmonica on ‘2024’
Justin Carroll – Hammond Organ on ‘2024’
Brian Standefer – Cello on ‘Invitation’
Basia Bartz – Violin on ‘Only Beauty Can Save The World’
Donna Edmead – Backing Vocals on ‘2024’ , ‘Way Down In Enniscorthy’ & ‘Gaia’
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