Blues rock guitarist and singer/songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor has released her latest single, ‘Black & Gold’, available now on all major streaming platforms.
This soulful, blues-gospel rendition breathes new life into Sam Sparro’s 2008 Grammy nominated hit, showcasing Taylor’s unique ability to reimagine modern classics with a timeless sound.
Under Taylor, the electro-funked original becomes a kaleidoscopic walkabout blues where gospel asides and have us taking in the view, while her own deep but mellow vocal tones offer a more personalised inflection
As others have remarked, this song – produced by Kevin Shirley (The Black Crowes, Aerosmith) – shows Taylor’s powerful vocals and emotive interpretation transforms ‘Black & Gold’ into a compelling, classic-sounding track that balances modern sensibilities with an almost retro feel.
“I always loved the desperation of the lyrics and thought it could make a great blues/gospel song if performed differently,” Taylor said. “I played my version to Kevin Shirley in the studio, and fortunately, he heard the same thing I did.”
‘Black & Gold’ is the latest in a series of singles that Taylor has been steadily releasing since her critically acclaimed album Heavy Soul, that debuted at #2 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. Most recently she released ‘Hold Of My Heart’ featuring Sav Madigan, marking the first release from a slate of material Joanne is set to unveil over the next year, signalling an exciting new chapter.
Taylor has embraced a prolific approach to her music, releasing new singles that continue to resonate with both long-time fans and new listeners alike. Her partnership with Journeyman Records is allowing her to bypass traditional album cycles, delivering a steady stream of fresh, high-quality music that cuts through the industry noise and keeps her audience engaged.
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