Dave Taylor Under the Baseball cap

I first started writing songs in the early 1970's-exactly when
I can't pinpoint-as a result of getting involved in the folk
scene around the Tunbridge Wells area -a pub called "The
Compasses" as I recall. I was influenced by the writing of
Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Roy Harper and Jeremy Taylor.

I moved to Leicester in 1973 where I have lived ever since. I
continued to write songs until the late seventies, the high
point being, I suppose being reaching the Midlands final of
the Melody Maker Folk Rock Contest , receiving a special
commendation from the judges. From the late seventies to
nigh on the millennium I wrote absolutely nothing due to
the demands of a family and teaching career, emerging
about nine years ago as a "born again folkie". Out of about
100 songs I've written, about 80 have arrived in the last five
years. Most of them have seen their debut at the club I
attend regularly, the Seagrave Folk Workshop, near
Leicester.

For some time fellow folkies have been encouraging me to
release some of this insanity to the world at large. Up until
now the cost of recording has stopped me but the arrival of
Tascam's little box of tricks (try the US 122, it's brilliant !)
has made it possible to produce three solo CDs and one
with "On the Fence".

Apart from the songwriters mentioned earlier, I suppose I
have been influenced by 25 years teaching children, and
also by the times I have spent working on farms and
building sites. I think there is a lot of building site humour
(slightly censored) in the songs. Does this make me a
FOLK SINGER I wonder ? ?

A Short Note on Guitars

I don't play hideously expensive
guitars. The fingerpicking tracks
on the CD are played on a
Seagull, the flatpick/strum ones
on a Simon and Patrick.
I gave up on being the fastest
guitar in the west about 25 years
ago and just try to get a guitar
accompaniment that will carry the
song in the best way.
I can recommend both the above
as excellent value for
money-under Ł400 for quality
Canadian instruments.