Hiss Golden Messengerとはカリファルニア 出身のソングライター Michael C. Taylorのレコーディングネームであり、彼の作品は宇宙的な広がりを見せる伝統的なアメリカン音楽から紡がれた希望の一筋といえる。

屋外に広がる野生世界の罪、犠牲、そして救済というある種普遍的なテーマを描くテイラーの深く叙情的な瞑想は独特の魅力と説得力ある感情の共振ともいえる演奏によってまるで、現代の聴衆に届ける為にスリップストリームの影から現れた、失われていた古典を思わせるものとなっている。

ソロギターと声をワントラックでとらえた「バッド・デット」の9曲はすべてノースキャロライナ州において一冬の間に 録音された。

Hiss Golden Messenger is the current recording name of MC Taylor, also known as Jai 'Slim' Diamond, a Californian songwriter whose work is spun from the very brightest threads of the Cosmic American Songbook. Like lost classics pulled through the slipstream and captured for a contemporary audience, Taylor's deeply lyrical meditations tell of sin, sacrifice and redemption, timeless themes drawn into songs performed with a compelling emotional resonance. Oh, and a voice that could charm the birds out of the trees.

Elements of country blues, folk and gospel all shine through a sound described by David Bowie as "Mystical country, an eerie yellowing photograph". Two EPs are planned for release over the coming months, the first being 'Bad Debt' in November followed by 'From Country Hai East Cotton' next February. The full debut album is planned for summer 2011.

The first EP features nine solo voice and guitar pieces that hit with a gnarled beauty, each recorded in one take to single track tape over the course of a freezing North Carolina winter. 'Bad Debt' puts the focus firmly on Taylor's peerless songwriting, stark and focused with echoes of John Martyn, Tim Hardin and Townes Van Zandt. It is also a spiritual set of songs, centred around Taylor's own questions about God and belief.

tracklisting

1, Balthazar's Song

2, No Lord Is Free

3, Bad Debt

4, O Little Light

5, Straw Man Red Sun River Gold

6, The Serpent Is Kind (Compared To Man)

7, Jesus Shot Me In The Head

8, Super Blue (Two Days Clean)

9, Drum

http://www.blackmaps.org/#/album/13