Kate Taylor, of the renowned Martha’s Vineyard via North Carolina musical clan that includes brothers James, Livingston, Alex and Hugh, arrives at Red House Records with a new studio album entitled: WHY WAIT! which reunites her with many of the key players, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, and Leland Skar, who backed her on her 1971 debut, SISTER KATE. Produced by music veteran Peter Asher, who produced SISTER KATE, WHY WAIT! marks with its release the 50th anniversary of their original collaboration. WHY WAIT! was released on Red House Records in the late summer of 2021.
As on SISTER KATE, she covers some of her favorite songwriters and songs, including a version of her brother James’ “I Will Follow,” The Beatles’ “Good Day Sunshine” and Taj Mahal’s “He Caught the Katy,”. Kate, who loves singing R&B, contributes two self-penned songs: the upbeat title track, “Why Wait!” and the evocative “I Got a Message.”
She also does a version of Little Feat’s “Long Distance Love” and the 1963 girl group hit by The Exciters, “Tell Him.” She does versions of Tommy James’s “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and Nancy Wilson’s “How Glad I Am”.
The spark for this album was ignited at Kate’s birthday party when her agent (who also manages Asher), brought up the fact that the key players who appeared on Sister Kate are still around and very active (most recently as members of The Immediate Family). Asher loved the idea of recording with Kate again on their 50th anniversary, and Kate was instantly on board, writing the title track. Peter and Kate assembled a group of songs complemented by her bluesy voice.
James Taylor told Rolling Stone: “For Kate to be doing this with Peter, and that both of them have this life experience that brings them back together, it’s really a moving thing. I think it’s so great that Kate will have this next iteration, you know, this next chance for people to hear her and pick up on her.”