Like jazz legends such as pianist Ralph Sharon, English jazz guitarist Martin Taylor makes musicianship seem effortless. Yet upon multiple listenings of his new CD Double Standards, one understands that his playing is multi-layered, complicated, yet fluid. His first CD in five years provides an effective showcase for these qualities.
Taylor, who has performed with everyone from violinist Stephane Grappelli to Jeff Beck, clearly possesses a great love for the standards, judging from his song selection. The word “double” in the title signifies that he overdubbed two separate guitar tracks, essentially duetting with himself. The classy track list, along with Taylor's guitar taking front stage, make for an intimate listening experience. It's as if Taylor were sitting in the same room, casually performing his most cherished songs.
Beginning with Antonio Carlos Jobim's lovely “Triste,” Taylor demonstrates his ability to play Brazilian music as well as traditional jazz. Not neglecting his jazz roots, songs like Duke Ellington's “Drop Me Off at Harlem” and “Jive at Five” show he can swing along with the best of them.
Double Standards really excels, however, when Taylor performs quiet ballads, allowing him to play with the melodies and approximate their original vocals through strings. He breathes new life into “Alfie,” choosing to cover English vocalist Matt Monro's version. George Gershwin's exquisite “Someone to Watch Over Me” is given a simple but lovely treatment, with Taylor never straying far from the melody. The song holds great personal meaning for Taylor, as he played it many times with Grappelli during their many tours together. He strips down “I Fall in Love Too Easily” to just its bare melody, matching the quiet longing of Frank Sinatra's signature version.
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