REVIEW FROM www.livingtradition.co.uk

ALLAN TAYLOR WITH THE GÖTTINGER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - There Was A Time
Stockfisch Records SFR35790152

In 2013, Allan Taylor was invited to participate in a unique event – a performance of a selection of his songs with a symphony orchestra at a festival in northern Italy. Knowing it would be a challenge, he worked on a sequence of songs with the festival director and arranger Valter Sivilotti, adding to his own songs translations of two songs by Italian songwriters. The concert and the entire project were such a success that, despite the fact the event was recorded, it was decided to go into the orchestra’s rehearsal room and make a full SACD recording of the piece. This CD is the result.

Lavishly packaged in the form of a hardback full-colour book, the set features photographs from the concert and the recording as well as images illustrating the songs, each of which comes with full lyrics and notes. There is also an introductory essay describing the project.

The 12 songs are drawn from over 30 years, but this is no mere chronological overview or “greatest hits”; instead the songs form an implied narrative, rendered continuous by the arrangements which not only accompany the songs but also bind them together. “Now the roads have come together and led me to this place”: there is no shoehorning and one is left to fill out the story from impressions, descriptions, lyrical snapshots of people, places and events from a life on the road.

The songs – it goes without saying – are all strong. The arrangements more than do them justice, highlighting nuances and introducing musical references. Allan, who admits uncertainty at tackling a new approach to performing, delivers some of the most powerful and most authoritative performances of his career.

An utterly satisfying album – entirely classy and instantly classic.

www.allantaylor.com

Nigel Schofield