Chad Taylors FB, Interesting Album Analysis Options

[Good_Pain]

Has anyone noticed the update on Chad Taylor's Facebook Page under info. He has included some insightful look at each LIVE album. Very interesting analysis to say the least.

[Merica]

Yeah I've seen that. It's a good read.

[dangum]

Could somebody please post it here? I can't see anything on the CT fan page... Thanks!

[jaybb]

Could somebody please post it here? I can't see anything on the CT fan page... Thanks!

It's on his personal page so that's why you can't see it. On my phone or else I'd post.

Like his comment where the person's job title would normally go... "Loyal Subject and Six String Understudy."

[Merica]

The Gracious Few with Chad Gracey and 2 others

Our debut album; hopefully, the first of many. With the support of my band mates and a renewed passion for music, I launched myself into the creative process. I'm proud to have contributed to the musical foundation the The Gracious Few stands on but make no mistake, this is a collective effort. Our single "Appetite" is climbing the charts weekly and with any luck we'll continue to tour in support of the album for another year.

Live

Loyal subject and six string understudy · 1991 to 2009

Songs From Black Mountain 2006 to 2009

This album should have been the beginning of Ed's solo career in my opinion. I had no idea how to contribute to the material but don't mistake that for not trying. I really did try but this style of material wasn't right for CG, PD and I to play on. I don't blame Ed for wanting something new. Dylan had a new band almost every album. Then again, Dylan was only ever in one band and that was well after he'd established his career. The album cover says it all and is my least favorite photo on myself. Regardless, my favorite song on this album is "Wings". SFBM was released on June 6, 2006.

Birds of Prey 2003 to 2005

After the bearing the political climate of post 9/11, I wanted to make a record that reflected our struggle. I sent Ed a bunch of demos of songs I had been working on. Ed had already been hard at work writing and did not include the band in the process. Thankfully, he called to suggest a band session in Nashville where I got to contribute to a band jam titled, "Like I Do" and to my surprise, a course rocker called "Lighthouse." Ed shined, as new father will, on the albums lead single "Heaven." This wasn't exactly my "flavor" of rock n roll but I couldn't deny the song was catchy as 'all get out' and landed us our first solid radio single in a long time. I argued with the label about the album cover but my opinion mattered less these days. I learned a ton about making "old school" albums from producer Jim Wirt, recording in the thread bare, 4th St Studio's in Santa Monica. The album was released May 20, 2003, debuting at #28 US

v 2000 to 2002

On a short break between legs of a US tour, Ed suggested we demo new material with our friend, guitarist & producer Alain Johannes. In a few short weeks, we had assembled "Ecstatic Fanatic" and presented it to MCA records. After a year long delay due to label politics, MCA release the album on September 18, 2001. Despite the delays and the 9/11 terror attacks, the album debuted at #22 US and #1 in Holland, Australia, Norway and New Zealand

Distance To Here 1998 to 2000

The non-stop touring was beginning to take a toll on our relationships. Gracey had gotten divorced and we all seemed more distant than in year prior. The Distance To Here saw us return to Jerry Harrison as producer as we tried to get our brains around a new band line-up with Chris Thorn joining on guitar. Ed's songwriting had evolved and he was much more of a singer-songwriter at this point. His talents were showcased on songs like "Face & Ghost" & the hypnotic music-scape of "The Distance." We were at the beginning of a new phase, where many of the songs were written as whole pieces and presented to the band. Our first international #1 single, "They Stood Up For Love" would be the last substantial song he and I would pen together. The album, recorded in Marin County, CA debuted at #4 in the US and #1 in Canada, Belgium and Australia on October 5, 1999

secret samadhi 1997 to 1998

With TC under our belts, it was time for real rock n roll excess! No party would be missed, no stripper would go without champaign and we were literally, as high as we could get. We wrote the songs in a hodgepodge of demos and finally went to Jamaica to solidify our efforts. Ed's lyrics had changed radically as did the bands sound. We had gone over the top with heavy guitars, hard drum beats and furious melodies. "Lakini's Juice" had been on a cassette demo of mine for almost a year and thankfully, Ed kept reminding me to play it. Just like "Selling The Drama" and "Operation Spirit" before it, Lakini's went straight to #1. This marked the third consecutive debut single where I had delivered the music to Live. The album, recorded and mixed in NYC, debuted at #1 on Billboard's album chart on February 18, 1997

Throwing Copper 1993 to 1996

After Mental Jewelry, our lives had totally changed. We managed to have a #1 hit with "Operation Spirit" and a huge touring cycle supporting Peter Gabriel, Ramones, PIL and BAD. The pressure to make an album that lived up to MJ was massive. Ed & I worked tirelessly writing for the album. The band & our sound had grown up on the road and the new aggression suited us well. The earliest songs were road tested while still touring for MJ, where the band could showcase its musical prowess and dynamic range. We recorded in Canon Falls, MN and nearly broke up over our first publishing fight. Somehow we managed to pull through. Throwing Copper, after being released on April 26, 1994, it reached Billboards #1 on May 6, 1995

Mental Jewelry 1990 to 1992

On a cold winters day in Chad Gracey's garage, I sat strumming my guitar next to our kerosene heater. The chords were simple and repetitive but they resonated with me. Ed joined me and asked that I continue the pattern. After about an hour, we had birthed a song. It was called "Operation Spirit." The lyrics, as most on this album, were inspired by J Krishnamurti, a philosophical and spiritual teacher born in India. Ed was as curious as any person I had ever know about God and he would find all of these incredible authors. These early songs would showcase our surprising ability to harness songwriting, performance and the spiritual quest of my young friend. The bass and drums propel this album under the production guidance of musical mentor, Jerry Harrison (Modern Lover's, Talking Heads). At the age of 18, my friends and I introduced ourselves to the world with this album, recorded and mixed in Milwaukee, WI. Released on RadioActive/MCA December 31, 1991

[PurdueSteve]

So sad.....

About Lakini's Chad wrote:

This marked the third consecutive debut single where I had delivered the music to Live.

Then about TDTH:

We were at the beginning of a new phase, where many of the songs were written as whole pieces and presented to the band. Our first international #1 single, "They Stood Up For Love" would be the last substantial song he and I would pen together.

For Ed to say that he was the exclusive creative force behind Live's success is such trash!

[Hoodstock]

The more I read about Live and what happened the more I feel that we all missed out on some potentially great music due to Ed's direction.

It makes me sad to know that Live could be writing and performing rocking songs that mirror the intensity andsound of "Like I Do" but the wheels were already falling off at that point.

Man - What Could Have Been!

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Jun 27 2011, 12:01 pm

[Good_Pain]

I agree it's sad to see what might have been, but like most bands they eventually reach a breaking point. It just seems that on many levels LIVE held together too long. I love LIVE as much as anyone and began following them around 1991, but as Chad indicated the collective creativity died a long time ago. The story as a whole had a sad ending, but I try to remember the good monents.

[LolEd]

Thanks Ed for RUINING LIVE!

[SecretInsomnia]

Classic Chad! Although it must have hurt him bad that Live couldnt evolve the way he wanted after TDTH, he still mentions the good things in the later periods and at least keeps writing about it with all respect. What a great person!

[Deku]

The album cover says it all and is my least favorite photo on myself

Hmmm yeah I bet. Every time I come to this board the first thing I see is the photo of CCP looking disillusioned, impassive and pissed off. Then again they were standing in water. That must have been a bad day.

[OutToDry]

He keeps it real. I can say how forthcoming this person is. Always have been a fan of Chad for this reason. I think if you pull back the covers on the music and really listen, you know the foundation of Live is C&C&P. Ed's lyrical genuis prior to 2001 was simply the magical glue. The musical direction and change to cater to the whore of a record label...killed our band.......somehow Ed got into bed with the folks he despised at some point. So sad, there is so much these guys probably have that was in one way or another stifled due to many pressures. It's good to read more insights on the inner workings.. I hope to read that book someday.

[dangum]

Thanks for posting. Getting Chad's insight into this history of Live is always an eye opening read.

[+Ed+]

DEKU!

[Deku]