Famous Among The Barns : Ben Taylor Band : Review : Rolling Stone

Finding your way in the music business can be tough without a leg up. When your parents are Carly Simon and James Taylor, the converse is also true, particularly for son Ben, whose voice sounds identical to his dad's. But on his official debut (a 1997 disc was never released), Ben Taylor and his able band make a record that Sweet Baby James never could. At home with the Ben Harpers and Jack Johnsons of this musical world, Taylor finds an artery into a rock & roll heart without ever taking his voice above hushed lullabies. Drummer Larry Ciancia and bass player Chris Chaney give Taylor's honest, simple lyrics heft on tracks like "Island" and a luxurious cover of "Time of the Season," while Joel Shearer's guitar work amplifies the emotions of "Let It Grow," where Taylor has no problem singing the praises of weed: "Deep green inhalations/They give me such fantastic vibrations." Not yet Neruda, but give the boy time: There's a translucence to Taylor's songs that is rare in today's folk rock. Famous Among the Barns grows stronger and deeper, with repeated listens. And that has nothing to do with his lineage.

ANDREW STRICKMAN
(February 18, 2003)