Album: Otis Taylor, Recapturing the Banjo (Telarc)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The banjo goes back to Africa. Its journey to its current eminence as THE sonic emblem of white Americana is a long and convoluted one. This admirable album gives an interesting account of how it made that journey.
Taylor is one of our more left-field contemporary bluesmen, so we shouldn't be surprised to find him leading a whole posse of banjos: Keb' Mo', Alvin Youngblood Hart, Corey Harris, Guy Davis and Don Vappie. Together with supporting voices – bass, cornet, harmonica and the occasional drum – they make an austere inventory of most of the places the banjo has been, and some it hasn't.
Pick of the Album: 'Live Your Life': idiomatic banjo blues
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments