Chip Taylor

Venerable Texas songwriter Chip Taylor, who penned such enduring classics as the primal garage punk prototype "Wild Thing" and the sublime and sensual "Angel of the Morning," has had a renaissance of sorts in the past couple of years since he has teamed up with fellow Texan and ace fiddler Carrie Rodriguez, the daughter of singer/songwriter David Rodriguez. They make an unlikely duo, but it all works wonderfully, as this EP shows, featuring a stately run-through of "Angel" (with Lloyd Maines on pedal steel and Seth Farber on organ) and six additional live tracks recorded in Oslo, Norway, and Austin, Texas. Taylor's unhurried country croon gives songs like "Laredo" a believable hard-earned wisdom and sensuality, and when Rodriguez sings, like she does on the irresistible "Do Your Part," she simply ups the ante. Taylor is much more than a one or two trick pony, and Rodriguez is a future star in the making. This EP makes a quick and charming introduction to what the pair has to offer. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide