Useful Fool

WHAT HAVE PEOPLE SAID SO FAR? 'Jonathan who has real talent has identified the crimes that are committed in our name. The songs are beautiful and the cause a worthy one' Tony Benn. British Politician, Author & Anti-War Activist. 'This song (The Holocaust Denier) was magic, In the right way the gravitas of it is completely delivered.' Jonathan I'Anson, BBC Radio Leeds. 'a rare talent indeed', 'the possessor of a marvelous dusty, dusky voice full of resonance and beauty' 'writes awe-inspiring songs, both lyrics and melody' - 'deeply moving', 'iconic' and 'profound' Andrew Liddle, Halifax Evening Courier. Victoria Theatre Concert Review. ''A Useful Fool' by far the best songs you have so far produced, melodies, recording and lyrics were brilliant. It's been on the CD player constantly, .... and I've played several tracks from it on The Akoustik Hour.' Stan Graham. Award Winning Songwriter. Presenter: Community Radio & BBC Radio York. 'You sound like the UK Vissotzky - accentuating on messages and lyrics, not only the music which is good.' Kiril Zdravkov. Manager Cosmic Voices 'Partisan was the official song of our tour, I think we played it a hundred times in the car.' 'Cobario.' Florian Stradner Mangement - Vienna. 'I also want you to know that we have been getting great feedback on your song (Valentine.) I haven't come across anyone who doesn't like it.' Gari Sullivan - Producer: The Sixteenth Touch 'I bet lots of people say that but you've got an amazing voice, really intense - wow!' AND 'your music is inspired,' it was 'simple and sincere - Fresh magic in a choking, dusty world' Audience feedback - Cowling House Concerts I've been reading a poetry anthology called 'Up the line to death 1914-18' and I've never heard songs capturing the feeling of being out there so well. Kirsten Guschal. 'Jonathan is a thoughtful and intelligent lyric writer and a superb musician. His voice ranges from Cat Stevenesque right through to smoky blues.' Richard Hollis. The Unofficial Steeleye Span Website 'Visited your website, downloaded the album (Debut - The Collection) and liked what I heard very much. I've put a little plug for it onto The Folk Corporation's forum.' Barry http://www. Talkawhile. Co.UK/' 'Jonathan comes from a very talented family and talented he is!' The Country Star Page 'He has a fabulous voice, really rich and resonant and full of emotion, very distinctive.' State Of Undress. 'I enjoyed your performace. I found it, gritty, honest and sensitive. Thanks.' Audience Feedback. Hebden Bridge Trades Club. 2009. 'When I saw a song had been written about the contents of Great Grandfather's box my initial reaction was - how could it possibly be done, and with a list too. Well, I think it's been done in a very clever way, and I really enjoyed it! It left me humming... Congratulations Jonathan.' Post on the classic thread 'This Is The Secret Of Grandad's Trunk,' The Great War Forum. There's A Touch Of The Neil Young About Jon! Halifax Evening Courier. April 24th 2009. Hub a Bub at QFolk, The Victoria Theatre, Halifax. UK. Maybe it's something in the West Riding air or water, but we do seem blessed at the moment with some prodigious talent in the folk world, as John Sharp, QFolks promoter, continues to demonstrate. Jonathan Taylor, Warwick born but these days very much a Halifax lad, is a rare talent indeed. Not only is he the possessor of a marvellously dusty, dusky voice full of resonance and beauty, which invites comparison with Neil Young in vocal colour if not in style, but he writes some awe-inspiring songs, both lyrics and melody. His partner, Shipley based Steve Wilkinson is a poet of the Northern Voice School, refreshing in his use of conventional metrical patterns and rhyme schemes, whose pithily worded poems often take the form of dramatic monologues or dialogues. Together, they launched into an 'anti war pro soldier' tirade, beginning with The Great War and coming right up to date with that in Iraq. Jonathan's Soldier, Soldier, Don't Look Back was deeply moving, and perfectly complimented by Steve's heart felt tribute to Shipley born Sgt Steven Roberts, the first British soldier to die in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In a varied second half, Jonathan turned romantic and sang some beautiful songs, including his own tear jerker 'Please Close The Door Quietly,' the iconic 'I Put A Spell On You' and, would you believe, a profound version of 'Dolly Parton's Jolene.' And Steve gave the world premier of his satirical take on the eccentric Greek philosopher, Diogenes. Author: Andrew Liddle.