Jamil Ragland Photo
Brandt Taylor performs at the Old State House Food Court as part of the Winter Blues concert series
Brandt Taylor
Connecticut Old State House Food Court
Hartford
Jan. 16, 2025
The blues is a fascinating art form, because its conventions point to suffering and pain; it is called the “blues,” after all. But the individual styles of the artists who perform it draw out different emotions for the audience. While listening to Brandt Taylor, a regular on the state blues circuit, performing at the The Winter Blues series at the Connecticut Old State House Food Court, I felt a sense of longing in his music that gave the requisite bluesy emotional anchor, but with joyful and bright singing.
Deep Elem Blues
Take his rendition of “Deep Elem Blues.” Taylor sang with a rich, warm voice that imbuds the music with a lightness, as if you could feel the notes hanging in the air. As far as blues songs go, “Deep Elem” is one of the more upbeat ones. Taylor was singing about going to the red light district in Dallas, so even though the women rob you blind and the preachers don’t come back the same, you’re gonna have a good time there.
Feels Like Rain
We get into the more hopeful aspect of the blues with his cover of “Feels Like Rain,” made most famous by John Hiatt. Taylor’s style is perfect for the song about love, where the rain signifies the birth of a new bond and washing away old hurts. The blues is so often focused on the past; it feels cyclical, as the singer predicts a new set of calamities for themselves, based on the ones they’ve already experienced. “Feels Like Rain” is about looking towards a future of love.
Old Man
“Old Man” by Neil Young felt more like the blues that I’ve become accustomed to, with Taylor lamenting the fact that he’s alone, that his life is looking a lot like his own old man’s (or that’s how I perceived it).
The line “Love lost, such a cost/ Give me things that don’t get lost” was poignant, because it pulled double duty. The singer was saying both that he wants a love that will last, but also rejecting love all together as something that eventually always will be lost.
Taylor was able to adjust his vocals to match the mood of the song. For “Old Man” Taylor used a more gravelly approach, capturing both the sorrow of the narrator and also their world-weariness; at the young age of 24 he still feels like he’s caught up to his old man. Taylor brings the character to life with his singing.
Finally there was “Give Me Back My Wig,” a humorous song by Hound Dog Taylor about that worst of all pain: the money you have to spend on your significant other.
The lyrics were straightforward, but Taylor got my foot moving when he let it rip with the harmonica. I’d been focused on the lyrics for most of his performance; the bridge in “Wig” confirmed that Taylor is proficient in every aspect of music.
I’ve been enjoying the Winter Blues series, and I can’t wait to hear more.
NEXT
The Winter Blues concert series continues Jan. 22 at the Old State House Food Court.
Jamil’s favorite gallery opens a new exhibit.