Livingston Taylor – Last Alaska Moon – (Chesky)

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Some people only know Livingston Taylor as singer/songwriter James Taylor’s older brother or as part of the Taylor sibling musical family. Those who appreciate his work, though, realize that he is a skillful singer/songwriter in his own right. He pens contemplative, lyrically specific songs; creates likable tunes that often contain autobiography as well as larger issues; and is a seasoned road veteran – he recently entered his fourth decade as a musician – acknowledged for engaging concerts.

On this latest effort, Last Alaska Moon, Taylor focuses on the ‘three Fs’: family, friendship and faith. He begins capably with the pop-parceled title track, an amiable ode to amity, memories and kinship that showcases Taylor’s warm tenor voice – which is quite similar his brother James – and his expressive words and distinctive details. The cut’s keenly etched character sketching – one of Taylor’s trademarks – is echoed even better on bluegrass-bunted “Henry,” a first-person account of an Appalachian dowser and single father to a mute daughter. Taylor’s mountain man music is flavored by Dan Tyminski’s guitar and Ron Block’s banjo. Tyminski and Block are also highlighted during the humorous, first-person fugitive narrative “I’m In a Pickle,” a country-pop piece underscored by steel pan drums that contribute a trace of Caribbean condensation.

Of all the subtle surprises, the most unexpected is a timely reconstruction of Michael Jackson’s “The Girl Is Mine,” a duet with Taylor’s nephew Ben Taylor. Purists may disagree on the merits of the interpretation, but Taylor adeptly reshapes Jackson’s hit into a comfortable adult contemporary arrangement that maintains a lingering affability. Taylor ends by looking backward to concentrate on family and familiarity with “Call Me Carolina,” which alludes to “Carolina Day,” from Taylor’s self-titled 1970 debut record. Like that older number, “Call Me Carolina” exhibits Taylor’s deep-rooted and articulate musical style, which mines the past, the present and future possibilities.

If you have never experienced Livingston Taylor’s intimately-toned and classic American folk-pop, Last Alaska Moon is a fine place to start. Those already acquainted with Taylor’s previous outings will probably give a high rating to this carefully crafted album.

Livingston appeared at The Main Point a lot during it’s heyday. From 1969 to 1980, he played about fourteen different sets of dates at the old club. Ironically, his brother James – who is forever entwined in Main Point folklore – only played the club on three occasions.