Evan Taylor ( Bernie Worrell Orchestra bandleader )
Zig At The Gig podcast
Shownotes Transcript
Interview with Evan Taylor Bernie Worrell Orchestra bandleader. Evan Taylor whose latest production is the posthumous Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse about this release and some of his other diverse musical endeavors.
Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse is a double album concocted in fourteen cities, issued on 12” LP vinyl a day after Bernie's birthday, (April 19) on Record Store Day 2024 by Org Music in conjunction with Loantaka Records as a Record Store Day “exclusive.” As of June 28 it’s also available via streaming platforms. The release will be accompanied by a bound-to-be viral video of the title track directed by Los Angeles-based dancer, Madeline Riley.
Taylor has remained behind the scenes for most of his career. He worked in various capacities with Worrell, mike watt, Money Mark, Theresa Wayman (Warpaint), King Tuff, The Chapin Sisters, and Jimmy Destri of Blondie. He has made 1960's country-influenced records with members of Black Flag, participated in eclectic recording projects and performed with practically every member of Talking Heads. Evan’s also released a string of critically acclaimed singles as part of the Art-Rock duo Purple Witch of Culver.
Evan has never identified with the archetype of “cosmic Funkateer.” He grew up with diverse tastes that ran from The Beach Boys to Prince. As a producer his brand has been “staying off-brand.” In 2022, Taylor was presented with a unique opportunity he felt he had been preparing for his entire career.
Bernie Worrell: Wave From The WOOniverse addresses the abundance of unfinished work Bernie Worrell, a prolific writer and visionary, left behind when he passed away in 2016. These compositions remained untouched for a period of decades, collecting dust on reels of two-inch analog tape.
Eventually, the tapes were re-examined to analyze Bernie’s nuanced and creative method. After a period of deep reflection, the Bernie Worrell estate decided it was time to complete his vision. With a series of Bernie's collaborators, contemporaries, and friends including Bootsy Collins, Sean Ono Lennon, Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Fred Schneider (B52s), Miho Hatori (Cibo Matto), Steve Scales, Marc Ribot, Fred Wesley (James Brown, Parliament), Marco Benevento, Stanton Moore (Galactic), Steven Bernstein, Daru Jones (Jack White), Will Calhoun (Living Colour, mike watt, Norwood Fisher (Fishbone), Jared Samuel Elioseff, Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio), Binky Griptite (Dap Kings), Nick Montoya, Paul Dooely, Alecia Chakour, Smokey Hormel, Ana Becker, Eric McFadden (Sgt. Splendor), Sarah La Puerta, Michael Rueben and many more innovators his initiative was completed with dedication to preserving the integrity of the magic which makes Bernie a beloved extraordinary soul. Also included on the album is a previously unreleased Funkadelic track, “Contusion,” which showcases Bernie’s masterful work with the group.