Tom Taylor

Once upon a time there was a fun lovin’ college bar band called She Stole My Beer — Canada’s answer to the Grateful Dead. While these college-circuit favourites from the early ’90s broke up many moons ago, one of their members (Taylor) is still strumming away. Recorded with West coast musical string man and Juno award winner Steve Dawson (who also plays many instruments on the record), Running Late is filled with well-crafted, storied folk songs that show the talent of this West coast troubadour. "I’ll Be Your Only” opens this disc with a bang, driven by some intoxicating pickin’ and Dawson’s deft pedal steel. On "Wagon Train,” Taylor tells a long ago tale (circa 1861) of a West Virginia family having to flee to avoid the impeding Civil War, showing his knack for taking a historical tale and giving it a fresh perspective. Strong songs and a voice that begs the listener to linger on every one of Taylor’s well-chosen words mark these 11 tracks. Fans of She Stole My Beer who were wondering where this fine songwriter went and newcomers to Taylor’s tunes alike will find this disc a delight.