Songwriters Hall of Fame 2016 inductee Chip Taylor born James Wesley Voight has been writing and performing for nearly sixty years. The New York Times says, “If you only know him as the as the guy who wrote ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Angel of the Morning”, you don’t know him! Chip has a new album `Behind the Sky` released this month. The songs were all written last year while Chip was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for throat cancer. The band all came together for a performance to celebrate the wonderful doctors and nurses who were instrumental in treating Chip. Following the show, Chip, Goran Grini, John Platania, Tony Mercadante and Tony Leone went into the studio and recorded this new collection of songs.
The album opens with `Do Something Good` a country tinged rallying call to maybe amend our ways and be a lot kinder. We have a delightfully reflective musing on what seems to be Chip`s life and his relationship with his wife whom he married twice with `Speakin` Of Horses`. It`s sung as if it`s a stream of consciousness at times.
`Radiation Song` begins with the singer speaking about the start of his cancer treatment and his interaction with the nurse Kareem who supported him. As it evolves the artist mentions getting inspiration from listening to John Prine as the treatment was underway. We enjoy a kind of late night blues tinged reflection on the singer`s parents and siblings, especially his mother with `Momma Was The Queen`.
`Other Side Of the Moon` is a fairly surreal track that appears to meditate on the singer`s life possibly and the things he did which his parents wouldn`t have been impressed with. Indeed, we have his father Elmer trying to influence his son from beyond the grave. The musical accompaniment is gently shared to allow the singer full reign. We have in `Nurse Joan` a recognition and homage to Chip`s wife Joan Carole Frey as she supported and tended the singer throughout his treatment.
`Without Hearing` is another song written in praise of the singer`s partner set against softly shared piano keys, a brushed drum, and guiding bass line. We have a kind of spiritual hymn with `The Blessing` which isn`t overly religious but offers up a consecration for all.
`If a Door Slams in Prison` is a melancholic gospel like reflection while `Talking to George in Radiation` is a spoken word segment about one of the nurses that aided the singer in his treatment and a precursor to a full blown number about this assistant and others.
`George in Radiation` is a tribute to both George, Kareem, Neena, Cathy, Dr Lee, Dr Noon, and the many others who although paid where instrumental in helping throughout and in the singer`s greatest time of need. The album closes out with `Hey Skip Along With Me` a kind of uplifting amusing number asking us to join with the singer in his joy after recent troubled times.
`Behind The Sky` was an interesting album and a very personal one for this renowned singer-songwriter to create and share. But I thought it was a wonderful gesture and quite humbling to not only acknowledge those who helped him during his illness but to actually write and record songs about them and his wife.
Here`s to a speedy recovery Chip.
Rating 8/10
REVIEW : CHIP TAYLOR – BEHIND THE SKY (2024)
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