Louise Taylor
Encyclopedia
Louise Taylor is an American
folk
singer-songwriter
from Brattleboro
, Vermont
. An older brother gave her a guitar when she was twelve and at age 15 she left home, hitchhiking
and busking
her way around the United States
. She started writing and performing her own songs, playing on street corners or wherever she could and eventually settled in Texas
, near the Gulf of Mexico
, at the age of 20. Her song "Blue Norther" chronicled her experiences working as a waitress in a cantina
there, and her encounters with the local fishermen.
Taylor continued hitchhiking around the United States for two more years before returning to Vermont where she eventually started studying voice at Bennington College
with voice teacher, Frank Baker. In 1992, she released her first album, Looking for Rivers, a collection of ten originals with a folk and blues slant. Her songs appeared on several Fast Folk
releases between 1993 and 1997.
Taylor's sophomore release, Ruby Shoes, was produced by Will Ackerman, founder of the Windham Hill label, and in 1997 Signature Sounds released her third album, Ride. Her latest release, Velvet Town, was co-produced with friend Annie Gallup
in 2003.
Her district rhythmic style was developed while busking on the streets. Taylor credits Ray Bonneville and Chris Smither
for helping her to expand her fingerpicking style.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from Brattleboro
Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. An older brother gave her a guitar when she was twelve and at age 15 she left home, hitchhiking
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their automobile or other road vehicle to travel a distance that may either be short or long...
and busking
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
her way around the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She started writing and performing her own songs, playing on street corners or wherever she could and eventually settled in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, near the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, at the age of 20. Her song "Blue Norther" chronicled her experiences working as a waitress in a cantina
Cantina
Cantina is a word that can refer to various places and establishments. It is similar in etymology to "canteen", and is derived from the Italian word for a cellar, winery, or vault.Cantinas are found in many towns of Italy...
there, and her encounters with the local fishermen.
Taylor continued hitchhiking around the United States for two more years before returning to Vermont where she eventually started studying voice at Bennington College
Bennington College
Bennington College is a liberal arts college located in Bennington, Vermont, USA. The college was founded in 1932 as a women's college and became co-educational in 1969.-History:-Early years:...
with voice teacher, Frank Baker. In 1992, she released her first album, Looking for Rivers, a collection of ten originals with a folk and blues slant. Her songs appeared on several Fast Folk
Fast Folk
Fast Folk Musical Magazine , was a combination magazine and record album published from February 1982 to 1997...
releases between 1993 and 1997.
Taylor's sophomore release, Ruby Shoes, was produced by Will Ackerman, founder of the Windham Hill label, and in 1997 Signature Sounds released her third album, Ride. Her latest release, Velvet Town, was co-produced with friend Annie Gallup
Annie Gallup
Annie Gallup is an American folk singer/songwriter who used to live in Ann Arbor, Michigan but moved to Santa Barbara, California in 2009. She attended the University of Michigan School of Art. Her song Circle was covered by Chuck Brodsky on his album "Radio". She covered Rachel Bissex's song...
in 2003.
Her district rhythmic style was developed while busking on the streets. Taylor credits Ray Bonneville and Chris Smither
Chris Smither
Chris Smither is an American folk/blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers.-Early life, influences and education:...
for helping her to expand her fingerpicking style.
Discography
- Looking for Rivers (1992)
- Ruby Shoes (1996)
- Ride (1997)
- Written in Red (2000)
- Velvet Town (2003)