Martin Taylor Describes His Vanden Guitar

[NormanFitzNicely]

I remember Mike Vanden refretting my Yamaha FG140 when he lived in a flat in Luton about 35 years ago.He was making mandolins then.

[blues2go123]

It's always a treat to see Martin Taylor play. I own a 1990ish Vanden hollowbody jazz guitar. It has Martin Taylors signature on the back plate. I really like it.

[sightsizemethod]

love the song! willl try to find it on net! anyone had any luck?

[jfunkfinger69]

I own a Vanden solid body jazz fusion guitar, there were only 3 made and all had different pick ups and different colours, there was a red sunburst (mine) a tobacco sunburst (owned by George Martins son) and a blonde. They all had maple fronts and different pick ups, mine are Seymore Duncan Jeff Becks and the blonde one had EMG's.

[purpleshoes]

... a guitarist whose name is two guitar companies put together .. how weird haha

[willturbo1]

its called kwame/kiko, you can find it with ease on google. took me ages to find it! enjoy!.....its a fantastic song!

[leloby]

Tone's a bit thin. These Vanden guitars are a bit trebly for my liking.

[willturbo1]

what is the tune at the start

[davidgrech1]

Hey you guys stop arguing. Martin Taylor is a guitarist of exceptional talent and a really humble guy. This video is supposed to watch and enjoy. Argue at the pub??? Just kidding. Peace

[dwebster50]

Love the sound of the Vanden guitar...I went out and bought a Yamaha AEX 1500 because its beautifull and Martin helped with its design .. unfortunately I don't play it thru the right amp ...its part of the family now and hope to play it like Martin some day. Cheers and thanks for posting , Martin Taylor is the best and sure would like to see him live someday

Calgary Dave

[AnalogKidAlex]

That guitar does sound good. I'm no jazz guitarist, but I have huge appreciation for Mike Vandens work... a very skilled guitar and mandolin luthier.

[guitargod6997]

Martin Taylor is a brilliant guitarist. His playing is most definitely from the heart and the soul. If he sounds "pianistic", it's because he is so good that he creates an orchestra from his six strings. I play in this style - fortyfive years. I've seen the best. Martin Taylor is in that company.

[646879]

a player worthy of wider exposure...very talented guitarist

[Vayshen]

What's the name of the song he plays at the end again? I haven't heard that one in ages!

[si16]

The one right at the end is called Chillin' with Oscar.

[usernamealredytaken]

Martin's got the skill's on and off the pitch. Play us a bit of KRO

[cullenbay6]

Saw him play last night, brilliant. Not liking his tone...I like it but even if you don't you have to admit he is a brilliant player.

[leloby]

Like Wes or George Benson. Born to play. Taylor has a slightly 'practiced' style and when back to back with more fluid, natural players it shows. Its a difficult thing to explain for me but I see it as a more 'robotic' style or almost akin to 'piano roll' playing. It grates after a while.

[oscarpiper1]

Leloby

You are full of sh*t. Taylor has been variously described as the "greatest guitarist of our generation" yet you know better? I suspect you probably can't play a note you a**hole.

[leloby]

Youre a right tosser.

[leloby]

Just read this again, you must LURVE Mr Taylor to say this. Are you seriously saying that you believe the hype? 'Variously described' - what the feck does that mean dickhead? You got any of your own ideas for us now?

And another thing - I CAN play this, with feeling and legato smoothness. Simply because - I am black. Fuck off honky.

[muzikphan]

Sorry, but what does one skin color has to do with it? I don't get it.

Fortunately there are brilliant musicians in this whole world no matter what skin color covers their personae.

Martin is one of them.

[leloby]

He's a piano-roll player. An automaton.

Maybe his soul is like that too. Cold.

He is not cool and women don't dig him. Unlike George Benson who has chicks flocking to see him. Until he turned Muslim of course.

[muzikphan]

Your "chicks" and "skin color" comments have nothing to do with one being able to make great music.

Music transcends cultural and racial barriers touching the REAL listener's heart and filling his expectation for greatness and beauty.

A real musician will understand these words.

[leloby]

A real musician plays from the heart. With soul.

[alejodoors]

I guess you're American, that's why you envy Martin Taylor so much

[alejodoors]

(that was to leloby)

[leloby]

Well, where I come from we don't 'guess', we either 'know' or we 'think'.

And your guess is wrong on both counts. I don't envy him at all. I simply don't like his style.

[alejodoors]

Great to KNOW that you can THINK.

It's a bit sad that you need to be "cool" to feel good. When you actually learn what that word means, maybe we could talk.

And if you THINK you know, try again. A COOL GUY doesn't even need to play guitar to have chicks.

And please, post some of your own playing before saying that Martin Taylor doesn't play with soul.

Or maybe you should have asked Stephane Grappelli why he played with him.

Or... wait! maybe he doesn't play with soul either........

[scottjones61]

I don't quite understand this comment. Why would an Englishman playing jazz guitar being liked by someone mark them as American? Martin is an amazing guitarist, regardless of where a fan is from.

[Mus1c1an5]

@leloby Wow. I cant believe someone would actually write something so ignorant. Some of the best musicians of all time, most actually, are white. From Jazz, Classical, blues, rock to funk. But that doesn't matter because its only ignorant folks like yourself are the only ones trying to keep count. Factually speaking, black people would only be banging drums, kora's, and primitive banjo's if it wasn't for white people. LOL! I'm actually finding humor in your ignorance.

[Vayshen]

I think I know what you mean but I wouldn't call it robotic or anything like that. He just plays with his own interpretation of tenderness I guess.

[leloby]

Never liked his tone but when you hear this 'almost' acoustic it sounds great.

Hes not a 'natural' player despite his traveller roots but a thoroughly decent bloke and some of his stuff is beautiful.

[reesho]

I'm Curious as to what you mean by "natural". ???

[headoyster]

feel like i'm under the sea...i love martin taylor