Collaborations by Will Taylor and Strings Attached

" The concept is simple: take a well-known artist-singer-songwriter, strip them of their original touring band, compose jazz-roots-influenced arrangements featuring strings that expand into other-worldly territory, and then perform those songs live for a one-time-only special concert event held inside the beautiful stained glass acoustic sanctuary of historic St. David’s Church in downtown Austin, Texas... Do this, and you will have created Strings Attached. Do this once a month with a different guest artist every month, and you will have created a very unique collaboration concert series. Begin recording these performances in 16-track digital audio, 4-camera video, and then cherrypick from the best of the best and you will have created the CD: Will Taylor and Strings Attached "Collaborations."

"Risks are taken. Boundaries are broken. The musical realm and the lyrical realm become one, in the heart of downtown Austin, inside one of the oldest churches in Texas. Amazing grace, indeed."

- Brad Buchholtz, Austin American-Statesman

"As program director for 107.1 KGSR Radio Austiin, I have witnessed their evelopment of a consistent body of work over time. In fact, their unique interactions with artists in our community (including Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, songwriting legend Chip Taylor and countless others) have motivated our station to broadcast the live performances of Will Taylor and Strings Attached. The work being done here is of a caliber to that being done anywhere on the planet. It is that sophisticated and singular. Will Taylor and Strings Attached are one of the reasons people call Austin 'The Live Music Capital of the World.' Long may their bows be strung!" - Jody Denberg, Program Director, KGSR 107.1FM Austin

"It is truly a pleasure to work with Will Taylor and Strings Attached, to

hear my music produced in such a sensitive and innovative form, and most importantly to be supportive of CASA's tireless efforts on behalf of abused children." - Eliza Gilkyson

"It's a credit to Taylor that an album this eclectic holds so strong at the seams... his inspired creativity and often amazing use of the violin make this album transcend the experimental to become art" - Christopher Hess, Austin Chronicle

"This finely nuanced, gorgeously recorded CD speaks volumes for Austin's music scene... imaginatively reworked, pensive and much to love." - Chip Deffaa, Entertainment Weekly

"With the originality of his music, Taylor manages to take a swing into

bracingly modern territory." - Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe

"Imaginatively orchestrated... multi-faceted... darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills." - Richard Harrington, The Washington Post

"The quality of music and professionalism on this production is far superior.... The intimate acoustics of the church compliment the music very well, and the adventurous combinations of instruments is wonderfully effective." - Tom Moss, Esquire Magazine

Collaborations is excellent -- and this release is consistently rewarding whether Taylor is joining forces with Shawn Colvin on the haunting "Set the Prairie on Fire," Ruthie Foster on the bluesy "Ocean of Tears," Barbara K. (of Timbuk 3 fame) on the moody "You Can't Kill Me," or Slaid Cleaves on the optimistic "For the Brave." Again, folk-rock is the album's orientation, but the influence of '30s jazz is quite strong when Libby Kirkpatrick (herself a folk-rocker) performs her song "In This Life"; the performance has Hoagy Carmichael, Billie Holiday, and Mildred Bailey written all over it. Austin is known for having a great music scene, and this fine album gives listeners no reason to think otherwise. - Alex Henderson, All Music

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