Best

Roger Taylor

Omnivore Recordings, 2014

http://www.rogertaylorofficial.com

REVIEW BY: David Bowling

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/26/2014

Drummer Roger Taylor was a founding member of Queen and is a member of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In the United States, he has always been associated with his band. But back in his home country of the United Kingdom, he has also had a successful solo career. Now the music from his solo career is coming to two compilation CDs. If you are a hardcore fan there is my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250 The Lot, which is a 12 CD, one DVD box set, which contains his entire solo output. If you just want a taste of his career, there is Best, which draws 18 tracks from his five albums and two singles.

Taylor’s solo career has been very different from the rest of Queen’s music, as without the band around him, he has been free to move in different directions. There are passionate ballads, electronic music, and good old rock ‘n’ roll.

Taylor has always been able to create a song. He has written or co-written three number one songs in the United Kingdom: “These Are The Days Of Our Lives,” “Innuendo,” and “Under Pressure.”  In addition, at least one of his compositions was included on every Queen album. While he is the drummer for Queen, on his solo releases he also is a capable guitarist and vocalist.

“Foreign Sand” is an excellent example of Taylor’s ability to carry a ballad that builds throughout. “Man On Fire” is a down-to-earth, gritty tune. “A Nation Of Haircuts” finds him letting loose as he just rocks.

There is an excellent booklet that provides an informative history of Taylor’s solo career. The music is well-recorded and clear, which enhances the listening experience.

Best may not be a cohesive album as it jumps from different periods of his career and sometimes skips a decade. What it does provide is an introduction to Taylor’s solo music that possibly whets your appetite to explore his music further. It also proves that he has a creativity that extends beyond Queen and that he is capable of creating some good music on his own.

Rating: B

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© 2014 David Bowling and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Omnivore Recordings, and is used for informational purposes only.