Scheduled for release this September, The End Of The Rainbow is an album of hope but also despair from the widely acclaimed UK Blues Award nominee, road warrior, activist, justice and peace campaigner Sean Taylor.
Sean sets the context: “We are surrounded by war and deprivation. Fear and famine. Terror is the daily reality for so many of us. Never have we been so divided, desperate, and alone. At the same time, there will always be hope of; Resistance through solidarity; our collective experience; and the power of our shared humanity. The triumph of tenderness over cruelty.
“This first single, ‘2024,’ is one of the songs about the darkness of the world, but it’s not as though we have a choice. Life doesn’t come with an alternative. No matter, ‘we have to carry on’ and we should ‘always ask for more.’”
Sean Taylor – Vocals and electric guitar
Errol Linton – Harmonica
Justin Carroll – Hammond Organ
Donna Edmead – Backing Vocals
Mike Seal – Electric Bass
Paulina Szczepaniak – Percussion
Video courtesy of Reel News
Produced by Ben Walker
Mastered by Mark Hallman
Visually, the stark and uncomfortable video images reflect the worst of what is happening in the world today. Taylor has dedicated his life to challenging this scenario, ending the violence, suffering and injustices, and striving for peace, love and freedom.
For this album, Sean has assembled a group of talented musicians including his regular band members, bassist Mike Seal and percussionist Paulina Szczepaniak. The technical skills and creativity of this rhythm section alone are mind-blowing. Three very special guests also perform on this track. Singer, songwriter, artist and multiple winner of the British Best Harmonica Player of the Year Blues Award, Errol Linton, was born and raised in Brixton, London. Ireland’s Justin Carroll is a highly sought after Hammond organ player who has toured internationally with luminaries such as Van Morrison. Donna Edmead is an incredible singer with the voice of a top professional, and has shared a stage with notorious folk-rockers Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds .
Sean’s trademark mellifluous voice, at times almost a whisper, is transformed by the anguish and heartache he feels when singing about a subject he cares passionately about. Mainly an acoustic player, he maintains a strong groove on his electric guitar, adding depth to the overall sound. Linton’s roots are in Jamaica, and the former London Underground busker brings his unique blend of blues with shades of reggae to the mix with contrasting raw harp wailing and gentle laconic vibes. Justin is a master’s graduate who gives a master class both in his background playing and tasteful empathetic solos. The chorus of the song, “Always Ask For More… 2024,” is a key central message and it is Donna’s inspirational backing vocals which provides the dramatic effect.
As Sean explains: “2024 is a scary time to be alive. Inequality, injustice, and violence are everywhere. The system which controls us is crumbling, and we are left with the chaos of environmental catastrophe and war. Politics has moved to the far right. The myth of liberal democracy has been replaced by nationalism and racism. This was not in most of our scripts, yet 2024 is where we find ourselves. A quote I stole from somewhere: if you want to know what you’d have done during the rise of fascism – look in the mirror, you’re doing it. ‘2024’ stands in solidarity with activists around the world. ‘Always ask for more. It’s 2024.’’
In some respects, Taylor’s message is not dissimilar to that of the blues men and women pioneers of the early and mid 20th century who railed against slavery and the inequalities of the suffering African-Americans, Big Bill Broonzy sang in his chorus on “Black, Brown and White”: “If you’re white, you’s all right, if you’s brown you can stick around, but if you’re black, oh brother – get back.” Sean’s insights resonate with those of Broonzy in the 1940s, both songs a powerful testament to the fact that, no matter what our differences may be, we all share a common humanity and a desire for happiness and freedom. Both sets of lyrics convey a powerful plea for unity and equality in a broken world.
