Melvin Taylor

"One of the most exhilarating blues guitarists to emerge in the past decade is more a blues innovator than a purist, mixing jazz chords and rock influences into his tapestry of electric blues."
-Rolling Stone Magazine
"A volcanic guitarist the sort of virtuosity that drags an audience into a world of risks and chances and excitement."
-The New York Times
"This isn't just a 2-CD set of some unbelievable guitar work from a long-esteemed player of truly formidable skill but rather a treasury that proves beyond doubt that Melvin Taylor needs to be placed within the museum of the guitar greats: Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Chet Atkins, Frank Zappa, Earl Klugh, Jim Hall, Leo Kottke, Robert Fripp, Grant Green, Pat Metheny, all of 'em, regardless of style and genre."
-Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange about "Beyond the Burning Guitar"

"Taylor is blessed with the ability for fast and efficient runs, clean and with minimal distortion. He has full command over his instrument. What sets Taylor apart, is the way he hears sound. He has a keen lyrical sense and natural feel for melody."
-CriticalJazz.com about "Beyond the Burning Guitar"
Along with bassist Harlan Lee Terson, Melvin toured with the Chicago Blues Giants in 1982. Other band members, Lefty Dizz, Eddie Shaw and Ken Saydak.
-~ Noted in biography of Harlan Lee Terson - SOLID! Electric Bass
"Taylor's arsenal consists of blinding speed, a feverish wah-wah pedal, a range of tones that leaps from groans to squeals, and notes bent so dramatically that his guitar sounds like it's retching. Taylor succeeds because he's a virtuoso who pushes the limits of his own skills."
-Living Blues Magazine
"Taylor throws off incredibly intricate runs and wrings impossible textures and tones out his of hollow-body with a casualness that belies his virtuosity."
-Knight Ridder Papers
"Taylor's weapons are his dizzying speed, his sweeping runs, his wild man abandon and his trusty wa-wa pedal."
-Jazz Times -