The Johnnie Taylor Philosophy Continues

Performer: Johnnie Taylor
Producer: Don Davis
Distributor: Fantasy (distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Johnnie Taylor (vocals); Marvell Thomas (keyboards); Steve Cropper (guitar); Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass); Alan Jackson, Jr (drums). Engineers: Ron Capone, Don Davis, Ed Wolfrum. Recorded on January 30 and February 19, 1969. Personnel: Johnnie Taylor (vocals); Steve Cropper (guitar); Marvell Thomas (keyboards); Al Jackson, Jr. (drums). Audio Remasterer: Phil DeLancie. Recording information: 01/30/1969-02/19/1969. Illustrator: Chris Whorf. Unknown Contributor Roles: Al Jackson, Jr.; Marvell Thomas; Steve Cropper. Arranger: Rudy Robinson. Johnnie Taylor Philosophy Continues shows the former Soul Stirrers' versatility, but a mediocre effort overall for Johnnie. Producer Don Davis' attempt to widen Taylor's appeal resulted in an album of watered-down Southern soul. Fans didn't expect Taylor-ized versions of "Love Is a Hurting Thing," "Who Can I Turn To," or "Games People Play," nor were they appreciated. He charted with "I Could Never Be President," but the song's appeal escapes some, even though David Ruffin redid it on his Doin' His Thing album. "Love Bones" and "It's Amazing" are the best soul offerings, but "I Had a Fight with Love" and "Separation Line" are mundane and formulaic. Taylor's rendition of Parliament's "I Wanna Testify" made an impact on the charts, and is interesting, but his voice was worthy of better. Everybody and their mama must have recorded "It's Your Thing," but none seem to be able to touch the Isleys' stomping original. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Johnnie Taylor first achieved notoriety when he joined Sam Cooke's former group, the Soul Stirrers, in 1957. Taylor's blues-based R&B records of the '60s, like his biggest hit, "Who's Makin' Love?," featured an irresistible beat and Taylor's gruff, emphatic vocals. While he never achieved the fame of Otis Redding or Wilson Pickett, Taylor stuck around long enough to enjoy a second surge in popularity with the lusty hit "Disco Lady" in 1976.

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