Genre: folk
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title:  Sometimes
Company: United Artists
Catalog: UAS 5529
Year: 1971
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): NM / NM
Comments: sealed
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6345
Price: $30.00

Outside of a cult-like following in folk circles, Allan Taylor's virtually unknown in the US (though he probably has a little higher name recognition in his native England) ... I'd heard of him and actually had a friend who owned one of his mid-career albums, but I'm still not sure how a copy of his 1971 debut "Sometimes" ended up in a junk shop in the middle of a bad neighborhood in Washington, DC, but I grabbed it when I stumbled on it. (check out the email below)

Like many of his contemporaries, England's mid-1960s folk revival caught Allan Taylor's attention. Unlike most people, he took it to heart, dropping out of school at 17, getting a job managing a local Brighton folk club. He also became the club's resident act, over the next five years evolving into a gifted musician. He attracted the attention of Fairport Convention members, including fiddler Dave Swarbrick who in 1970 recommended Taylor as opening act for a Royal Albert Hall concert and subsequent UK tour.

Good reviews caught the attention of United Artists which promptly signed him to a deal. Backed by Swarbrick and fellow Fairport Convention alumnus's Dave Mattocks and Dave Pegg, 1971's "Sometimes" could easily have been mistaken for something out of Fairport's catalog. Propelled by Taylor's attractive voice, the album was full of pretty, pastoral English folk-oriented originals. Though clearly not a rock album, material like the title track, 'Song for Kathy' and 'The Pied Piper' was actually quite commercial and wouldn't have sounded bad on radio (particularly in an era that showcased sensitive singer/songwriters). While I liked Taylor's voice, to my ears his guitar playing was even better. The fact he was self taught was even more impressive. Accordingly, personal highlights included 'Our Captain Cried All Hands' and the weird instrumental 'Tudor Pop' (the latter showcasing Swarbrick's fiddle).

"Sometimes" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Sometimes (Allan Taylor - Myles Wooten) - 3:05
2.) Searching for Lambs (arranged by Allan Taylor) - 2:34
3.) Nursery Tale (Allan Taylor) - 3:07
4.) Robin Hood (arranged by Allan Taylor) - 4:00
5.) Song for Kathy (Allan Taylor) - 3:32
6.) Swallow Swallow (Allan Taylor - Myles Wooten) - 3:30

(side 2)
1.) Scarlet and Grey (Allan Taylor - Myles Wooten) - 2:58
2.) Our Captain Cried All Hands (arranged by Shirley Collins - Dolly Collins) - 4:12
3.) Tudor Pop (instrumental) (Allan Taylor) - 3:07
4.) The Leaves of Spring (Allan Taylor - Myles Wooten) - 3:47
5.) The Pied Piper (Allan Taylor - Myles Wooten) - 3:27
6.) The Kiss (arranged by Allan Taylor - Robert Herrick) - 5:00

For anyone interested Taylor has a nice website at: 

http://www.allantaylor.com/