KAPA‘A — From clam-farming in Po‘ipu to launching Hawai‘i’s largest internet service provider, Hawai‘i Online, entrepreneurs Lynn and Thayne Taylor of Kalaheo possess pioneering spirits. Their latest territorial claim is neither new or unfamiliar ground for the couple as they reintroduce themselves as musicians, with the release of their first CD “Watercolor Dreams.”
For 20 years the two have been making music together. Hear original compositions and see the collage artwork created for each of the 12 tracks Saturday at an artists’ reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Alley Kat Art in Kapa‘a. The Taylors will perform in the alley across the street from the ABC Store where attendees can also view art pieces created specifically for the CD.
Reluctant to define their music by genre, Thayne described it as “honest music” that tells a story. “Watercolor Dreams,” produced by Chris Birkett, whose client list includes Buffy Sainte-Marie and Sinead O’Connor, classifies it as “progressive folk rock,” but the structure is equal parts jazz, with tracks that include a haunting Celtic tone.
Birkett writes, “If the true purpose of an artist is to bring beauty into the world, then Lynn and Thayne have done this on their debut album. The songs vibrate a deep chord within the soul of the listener; not ear candy, but soul food.”
Lynn Taylor’s voice harkens the silk of Judy Collins and is supported by layers of instrumentals including harp, chime and slide guitar. “Watercolor Dreams” builds an indefinable tabernacle of sound traveling from lullaby to toe-tapping swing. Notable musicians from across Kaua‘i add their talent to the mix, including Pat Cockett (guitar); Roger Jacobs (key boards and guitar); Pancho Graham (bass); Steve Dubey (trumpet); Bill Dick (violin); Flo Rabut (mandolin) and Lyonel Allemand (cello).
Thayne Taylor picked up the guitar at 13 and has been playing ever since. As a lifetime artist, Lynn Taylor works in oil paints, ceramics, stained glass and recycled art. It was with her husband’s encouragement she discovered her voice. Then after taking a class with Greg Shepherd at Kaua‘i Community College and attending a Kaua‘i Songwriters Festival in Koke‘e (2003) she began to write songs in earnest.
“If you want to hear what I’m really thinking the songs have given me a voice,” she said.
Volumes of notebooks rich with text, sketches and found art provide the grist for her lyrical mill. As her husband of two decades strums his guitar in their living room, she scribbles notes for lyrics or consults a past journal for inspiration.
“Lyrics come from everywhere. All I need is three words to start,” she said. “Most of the song ‘Watercolor Dreams’ came from looking out the window of our house.”
A message-oriented collection, she described the subject matter as “very personal” and sometimes autobiographical.
“When my mom first heard (the CD) she said, ‘You should have done this years ago. It would have saved you a lot of money in therapy.’”
“Little Pill,” a reflection of a difficult period for this Hawai‘i native, is one of the more literal pieces on the CD, where most rely on the poetics of imagery to carry the listener.
“I like to paint with words,” she said.
Ultimately, though, she attributes her gift for lyrics to her husband’s compositions.
“It’s Thayne’s music that inspires the song,” she said.
Visit lynnandthayne.com to hear a sample, read the lyrics or see the collage art created for “Watercolor Dreams.”
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
