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Joanne Shaw Taylor Shows Just Why She Is Nobody's Fool at TPAC in Nashville
by Rich and Laura Lynch
The last time English blues guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor played an engagement in the region; it was at a sold-out show in Franklin where her producer Joe Bonamassa was on hand in a support role. Fast forward a year later and the talented Taylor is headlining bigger venues in Music City proper as she promptly took the stage at TPAC's James K. Polk Theatre on October 18, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. For most of the night Joanne with her very capable band let the music do the talking but she did chat a bit and mentioned that she now - like so many others - lives here too.
It looks like Joanne Shaw Taylor enjoyed her time at the TPAC in Tennessee.
The newly Nashvillian Joanne Shaw Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16 who, having watched her perform, immediately invited Taylor on the road with his super group D.U.P. Today, JST is a well-respected blues rock artist. She plays, sings and writes with soul. Her latest album Nobody's Fool (released 10/28/22) was recorded at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles and was produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. It features Bonamassa on "Won't Be Fooled Again", guitarist Carmen Vandenberg (Bones UK) on "Figure It Out", cellist Tina Guo on "Fade Away" and Dave Stewart on a cover of the Eurythmics classic "Missionary Man".
At the TPAC, she played a number of songs from the new album which is packed with catchy hooks, potent guitar leads and serious song craft that travels through the hardships of life but still finds hope. More than halfway through her generous 19 song set in the theater district we were hearing positive reactions from the patrons around us throwing out accolades like "impressive" and "blown away" and we were too. JTS is a personable storyteller who knows her way around an axe and she has wisely surrounded herself with stellar players who shined on their solos that were mixed into her show.
Joanne was electrifying on the electric yet just as engaging when she switched to an acoustic guitar to play a piece that she had penned with her deceased mother in mind. The idea was a moving letter from her Mom saying that she wants her child to be happy. The full band was back for the riveting "Runaway" and "Bad Love" - after all you can't play the blues without a few songs about awful relationships. JST is well versed in the genre yet her music is accessible with crossover appeal.
The new JST album - Nobody's Fool.
Since meeting Stewart, Joanne has proven herself to be a prolific artist who has releasing seven acclaimed albums with each growing her fan base. Plus, as we saw at the Polk Theater she is potent in the live setting. The gig in Nashville was her last stateside before going overseas for the remainder of 2022 but we anticipate that JTS will be back in 2023 ready to wow her current followers and win over new ones with her beguiling brand of the blues - so mark your calendars.
The nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is located in downtown Nashville and is dedicated to providing and supporting the presentation of the cultural and performing arts which includes the Nashville Ballet, Opera and Repertory Theater. TPAC has three venues that showcase Broadway productions and music from a diverse range of artists such as Joanne Shaw Taylor - so please check out their website for a full list of upcoming events.
SETLIST: Stop Messin' Round | Keep On Lovin' Me | Nobody's Fool | If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody | Can't You See What You're Doing to Me | Two Time My Lovin' | Let Me Down Easy | Three Time Loser | Bad Blood | Won't Be Fooled Again | Watch 'em Burn | I've Been Loving You Too Long | Just Another Word | Fade Away | Runaway | Bad Love | Going Home | Encore | Just No Getting Over You | Mud, Honey
Patrons were blown away for Joanne Shaw Taylor and her band at the TPAC.
Related Links:
For more information on JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Joanne Shaw Taylor |
TPAC
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