- Kate Taylor -- vocals

- Alex Taylor (solo efforts)

- James Taylor (solo efforts)

- Livingston Taylor (solo efforts)

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Sister Kate

Company: Cotillion

Catalog: SD-9045

Year: 1971

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: small cut out notch along edge; name on back cover

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 5177

Price: $8.00

Like her older brothers, Kate was born in New England, but grew up in North Carolina.  Like her brothers, she was bitten by the music bug at an early age. By the time she was in her teens Kate had already formed her first rock band and at 19 (no doubt helped by the successes enjoyed by her siblings), she'd attracted the attention of producer Peter Asher, who helped get her signed to a contract with Atlantic's Cotillion subsidiary.

Here's where the story gets interesting.  Unlike most cases where an act garners attention on the coattails of a more talented sibling, Kate was a real talent.  Produced by Asher, 1971's "Sister Kate" was an amazingly assured and accomplished debut - at least to our ears far better than those of brothers Alex, James and Livingston.  While she seemed most comfortable working with ballads such as Carol King's "Home Again" and "You Can Close Your Eyes", Kate certainly had an impressive voice which was far more flexible than her brothers.  Hard to image James turning in a performance anywhere near as soulful as her cover of "Look At Granny, Run, Run" and she positively shreds brother Livingston's "Be That Way".  Elsewhere, the Taylor lineage certainly didn't hurt the album.  The LP sports one of the year's most impressive all-star lineups, including appearances from Carole King, brother James, guitarist Danny Kootchmar, Bernie Leadon, Linda Ronstadt and J.D Souther.

"Sister Late" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Home Again   (Carole King) - 2:18

2.) Ballad of a Well Known Gun   (Elton John - Bernie Taupin) - 4:42 

3.) Be That Way    (Livingston Taylor) - 3:25

4.) Handbag and Gladrags   (Michael D'Abo) - 3:25

5.) You Can Close Your Eyes    (James Taylor) - 2:34

6.) Look At Granny, Run, Run   (Jerry Ragovay - Mort Shuman) - 2:49

(side 2)

1.) Where You Lead    (Carole Kine)- 2:27

2.) White Lightening   (Jape Richardson) - 2:40

3.) Country Comfort   (Elton John - Bernie Taupin) - 3:39

4.) Lo and Behold/Jesus Is Just Alright    (James Taylor) - 2:22

5.) Do I Still Figure In Your Life    (Pete Dello) - 2:19

6.) Sweet Honesty    (Beverly Martyn) - 6:31

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Kate Taylor

Company: Columbia

Catalog: JC-35089

Year: 1978

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: includes original lyric inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 5178

Price: $9.00

Produced by brother James Taylor, 1978's cleverly-titled "Kate Taylor" marked Kate's first release in seven years.  Musically the set amounted to a Taylor-family reunion.   In addition to James and then-wife Carly Simon, brothers Alex and Livingston both participated in the recording session; Kate even recording Livingston's "Rodeo".  Interestingly, having listened to this set dozens of times, at least to our ears, in terms of song selection and delivery it bares more than a passing resemblance to something out of James' catalog.   While it isn't quite as impressive as her debut, the album still has it's share of charmers.  Kate's voice remained in fine form, her laidback, easy going deliveries occasionally recalling James ("It's Growing").  Curiously, on the leadoff track "A Fool In Love" her catty delivery actually recalls Carly Simon.  Elsewhere, on "Smuggler's Song" she sounded like Emmylou Harris.  Personal favorite, Kate's cover of brother James' charming ballad "Slow and Steady".

"Kate Taylor" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) A Fool In Love   (Ike Turner) - 

2.) Smuggler's Song   (Ethan Signer - Clay Jackson) - 

3.) Harriet Tubman   (Walter Robinson) - 

4.) Stubborn Kind of Woman   (William Stevenson - Marvi Gaye - George Gordy) - 

5.) Happy Birthday Sweet Darling   (James Taylor) - 

(side 2)

1.) It's In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)   (R. Clark) - 

2,) Slow and Steady   (Zach Wiemmer - James Taylor) - 

3.) It's Growin'   (William Robinson - Warren Moore) - 

4.) Tiah's Cove   (Charlie Witham) - 

5.) Rodeo   (Livingston Taylor) - 

6.) Jason & Ida    (Kate Tayor - Duane Giesemann) -