Lewis Taylor was last seen playing the Hanover Grand some two years ago, launching his cunningly-titled second album 'Lewis II'. His debut, 1996's 'Lewis Taylor', had been the sort of record that united critics in gushing praise/prose - a dark, funky and melancholic masterpiece of love gone wrong. Island Records released it on the strength of the demos while Elton John compared him to D'Angelo and bought about 80 copies - one for every room in his house.
Despite such patronage, the album sold poorly. Island were clueless how to market their musical genius and people seemed more interested in buying Oasis records than Taylor's falsetto. 'Lewis II' offered more of the same - if anything it was even more musically extravagant. The critics' fanfare sounded again, but it suffered the same fate. Despite taking the roof off the Grand that night, the label dropped him soon after.
By the way he bounds on stage tonight, all smiles and geezerish charm, it's obvious such past history is hardly weighing on Taylor's shoulders. He jokes with the crowd like he saw them last Tuesday and simply proceeds to play his new album in its entirety. The first song, 'Stoned Pt 1' - also the LP's title - sounds monumental, fleshed out with the filthiest guitar sounds and some glorious female backing. It's totally funkadelic and everything you imagined John Squire would write after The Stone Roses split but didn't. (If he'd been produced by Eddie Kendricks that is).
The new material is generally more accessible than before. The likes of 'Send Me An Angel' are pure Motown, without any hint of darkness. They even sound like potential hits, though that thought probably occurred to Mr Island some six years ago. Occasionally, Taylor lapses into "Baby, Baby, Baby" territory - lyrics are not his strong point, it must be said - but then the music twists and turns and yelps and we're flying again.
Indeed, the best is saved for last when Taylor plays a solo acoustic version of 'Track' from his debut. The backing singers troop on and join in for the "Friends say I should get over this..." bits and it all falls apart in laughter. It still sounds amazing. They finish with 'Song', 'Lucky' and 'Bittersweet', which is only marred by an eternal fret battle, a slap bass exploration and a drum solo. (Note to Lewis: that was this humble scribe screaming "NO" when you asked if we minded if you jam). But it doesn't matter.
He's back. He's better. He plays a mean guitar. But it anyone listening this time?
