Jonathan Taylor was born in Warwick 1966 but now lives and shuttles between West Yorkshire and Sevlievo, Bulgaria. He is a strict Vegetarian & Socialist which he puts down to his rural upbringing on a farm in South Wales. He has specific learning difficulties and although benefiting greatly from the use of amanuensis and technology his short term memory remains a major obstacle in daily life. Despite achieving many professional and academic qualifications within  in his field of Youth and Community work, he has to this day never read a book. 'People just cannot grasp the fact that I cannot read and remember, Dyslexia is so much more than a literacy difficulty, it is a curse with no cure.' Is the usual frustrated response. Despite being  permanently excluded from formal education he returned to F.E at the age of 27 and was awarded the 'College Trust Fund 1999 Award' for Outstanding Achievement.

My first  band ‘Peach' 'he says, (Abergavenny) worked without drums but added Saxophone for depth.'  ‘Up here (Halifax), I formed the original line up of ‘Waving Not Drowning' with Anna (got some good press  and released an independent  12") and afterwards formed ‘The Atom Arc Landslide' with David. Then John and I, as ‘Cali',  worked on some traditional South American stuff too.'

He now travels and works solo. 'It's so much easier' he laughs!

Amongst other work Jonathan has 'three solo albums' under his belt and a fourth 'live album' which he guarantees is overdub free, also a 5th album 'Debut - The Collection' is sold to raise money for the BSAPP charity, Sofia. He has appeared on both Independent Television and BBC Radio as well as radio and podcast worlwide. He is proud to be the Great- Grandson of Rebecca Johnson (Nee Reece) (Soprano and early recording pioneer), Grandson of Ivy Usher (Nee Johnson - Pianist) and a cousin of Bob Johnson (Steeleye Span) though they have met just once. His youth-work CV has included work with Toyah Wilcox (Courtesy of BBC Manchester.) 

Jonathan presents the 'Coffee Culture' Friday and 'Now't So Queer As Folk,'  (a specialist Sunday folk programme) with co-presenter Nigel Patterson on Phoenix  96.7 FM Calderdale. Check out the radio links page and please stay tuned!
 

A Review by Richard Hollis
 

'Debut - The Collection' is a 'best of' from the first three outstanding albums, 'Please Close the Door Quietly', 'I Put a Spell on You' and 'Live and Unplugged' from talented singer/songwriter, Jonathan Taylor.

Jonathan is a thoughtful and intelligent lyric writer and a superb musician. His voice ranges from Cat Stevenesque right through to smoky blues.

Track 1:- The Albums starts with intriguing intro from the 'Please Close the Door Quietly' album...

Track 2:- ..... and goes into 'Pearl' from 'I Put a Spell on You'. Great flat picking guitar and lovely vocal style.

Track 3:- 'I Put a Spell on You' from the album of the same name. Nice high mix vocal and fantastic harmonica backing.

Track 4:- 'Blind Faith' from the 'Live and Unplugged' album. It's great to hear a proper and intelligent 'protest' song again.

Track 5:- 'I've been a Rat Jack', from 'I Put a Spell on You'. Great bass line and funky guitar. Blues/Jazz feel, the great smoky voice on this one.

Track 6:- 'Please Close the Door Quietly' from that album. This is a beautiful song with that Cat Steven's quality. Could be the single from the album.

Track 7:- 'You're my One Stop Lover' from the 'Live and Unplugged' album. Different sounding guitar on this, almost ukulele like in style. Gives it a catchy rhythm reminding me of a 30's dance band number.

(Ukulele version on 'Please Close The Door Quietly' - 'Guitar version on Live & Unplugged' JT)

Track 8:- Another great song, 'Love and Glory' from 'I Put a Spell on You'., with a nice Dylanesque intro.

Track 9:-' Enough is Enough' another outstanding song from the 'Live and Unplugged' album. These are really fine recordings from a live album.

Track 10:- The album ends with a really special song, 'Sorry, Please Forgive Me' from 'I Put a Spell on You‘. A dark and powerful song. quite disturbing. A must listen.

All in all a fantastic collection from three wonderful albums.

Richard Hollis (The Unofficial Steeleye Span Website) 2007

YOU MUST BE BARKING : THE DOGS BOLLOCKS

Fully endorsed by Judy Dyble, this fine collection of traditional and contemporary acoustic musings is guaranteed to bring you, the listener, much happiness and help US raise much needed funds for our Buy A Brick Appeal. This collection, from accomplished names spanning 2 continents is a must buy. ‘You Must Be Barking - Vol 1’ includes contributions from names such as, The Cosmic Voices, Shaun T Hunter, Al Dickinson. Linda Watkins, Roger Davies, Soliloquise, Cynthia Bennett, Andrey Hirkiy, Hollis Robinson, Tim Moon, Chris & Siobhan Nelson, Jessica Lombard, Circus Envy Band and Jonathan Taylor. It is a strictly limited addition, just 2000 copies. You cannot purchase this collection anywhere else AND the artists concerned are donating ALL FUNDS raised from its sale to us, The Bulgarian Society for Animal Protection and Preservation. www.bulgariadogs.com