If there was one factor that followers of up to date Christian music most likely may have felt assured would by no means present up on their gospel-music bingo card, it could be that Russ Taff would by no means be discovered masking a track by the group the Nationwide. And if there was something they might be assured of past that, it is perhaps that Taff wouldn’t find yourself singing a Nationwide track known as “Demons.” But right here we’re, with these unexpected, imaginary eventualities now having to return to cross on Taff’s newest album, “Cowl Story,” which consists fully of the CCM star masking secular materials by artists from Paul Simon to Duran Duran, and in a uncooked, nearly bluesy, pretty down-and-dirty type, besides.
“Cowl Story” happened on the instigation of government producer Steve Taylor, one other artist who got here to stardom within the Christian rock world of the Eighties, albeit following a really totally different inventive path. Taylor was the alternative-rock gadfly of that scene in that period, whereas Taff was identified for a extra earnest strategy, popping out of the vocal group the Imperials into solo stardom, and extremely regarded then and since for his belting talents. For anybody who remembers their respective factors of origin, tonally, it could nonetheless really feel like an unlikely match. However Taylor, who has targeted much less on being a recording artist himself and extra on being a producer since he struck gold producing Sixpence None the Richer, had a imaginative and prescient for the way Taff may reinvent himself just a bit with a late-career file that might be the equal of the place Rick Rubin steered Johnny Carson. The ensuing file options Taff’s stunning and fairly uncooked covers of tunes by Prince, Invoice Withers, U2 and Depeche Mode, for starters, all performed for grit, not gloss.
Earthiness turns into Taff, who has stunned and captivated his fan base in the previous few years by releasing a candid memoir after which speaking about his long-hidden darkish facet in locations just like the “Comfortable White Underbelly” video interview sequence. The kid of an abusive and alcoholic Pentecostal-preacher dad, Taff ultimately fell into alcoholism himself, unable to deal with the disgrace lingering from his traumatic childhood. His journey out of that, and dedication to being actual in discussing it, makes for a distinction with the Michael Tait scandal now operating by way of the Christian music world, as proof that, sure, even Christian music stars can confront and confess their demons, earlier than public duress calls for it.
Taff and Taylor will each be performing Saturday night time simply exterior of Nashville in Columbia, Tenn., on the Mulehouse, a Home of Blues-style corridor that has change into famend as the most effective venues within the South. The night is a celebration of Taff’s “Cowl Story” album, with Taylor being joined because the opening act by his former band Chagall Guevara, an all-star group that recorded for MCA within the early ’90s and has solely not often reunited since. Since Taff exhibiting as much as sing at Chagall’s final reunion gig led to the concept for “Cowl Story,” the double-bill feels pure.
The 2 collaborators acquired collectively on Zoom this week to share with Selection what this first-time matchup means to them.
How did this collaboration first come about?
Taylor: Three years in the past, my previous band, Chagall Guevara, did a reunion present on the Ryman. Previous to that, we hadn’t performed collectively in 30 years, and we haven’t performed since. However at the moment we did a type of issues the place individuals who had been keen to pay a ridiculous quantity for tickets to our Ryman present would additionally go to an after-party the subsequent night time at Jack White’s membership in Nashville, the Blue Room. We promised we might have some particular visitors be a part of us that night time for a jam, and we invited Russ. And… Russ, you would possibly need to plug your ears for this half. I hadn’t heard Russ for a very long time, and he was all the time considered one of my favourite singers, however I simply assumed folks get to a sure age they usually don’t essentially hold their chops. We had been gonna have Charlie Peacock be a part of us that night time to sing “Down on the Lowlands” off that self-titled album that he did within the late ‘80s, however Charlie acquired sick and couldn’t come. So Russ did it (impromptu), and it was a mind-blowing efficiency. He introduced the home down and took us all to church. I’m not Pentecostal, however I consider I used to be waving my fingers at one level. It was spectacular factor, and clearly Russ nonetheless had it.
So afterward all of us thought: He must do an album that exhibits that. As a result of we simply didn’t know he had that in him. And naturally we had been additionally impressed by what Rick Rubin had performed with Johnny Money late in his profession with the American Recordings. In order that’s when the entire thought got here up for the album. And that’s why the fellows in Chagall thought that it’d be acceptable to return and play with Russ to return the favor all these years later, which is how Chagall ended up on the invoice on the Mulehouse this weekend.
Taff: I’m so touched by all this, I’m beginning to tear up.
Once you guys had been on the scene in Christian music in a giant method within the ‘80s, did you run into one another? It doesn’t appear to be a given that you’d have run in precisely the identical circles. Steve, clearly folks considered you as being extra various and having this considerably satirical strategy or arch tone to quite a lot of your music, and Russ, you had been doing one thing extra easy than that. How did you actually consider one another on the time?
Taylor: Properly, I’ll begin simply because I’ve acquired a great story. Russ and I all the time acquired on nice, and I cherished what he did, and we had been labelmates for some time on Myrrh Data. After which Russ even let me keep at their home in Nashville after we had been engaged on the “I Predict 1990” album, so he and (his spouse) Tori had been all the time form to me. We did one present collectively, I feel in Oklahoma Metropolis, the place I used to be the opening act. And the native Christian radio station, for some cause, arrange an interview part within the foyer afterwards and requested folks in regards to the live performance. And this isn’t an exaggeration: A minimum of 10 folks talked about how a lot they cherished Russ Taff, and the way they didn’t like something about what I used to be doing. Then the radio station despatched me the video. [Laughs.] So I feel that was our one and solely live performance collectively.
Taff: We did our file events and issues like that. However man, throughout these years, I didn’t have a complete lot of mates, as a result of I simply lived always on the highway. However I’ve all the time been simply an enormous fan of Steve’s, and I’ve stated this for years: He’s most likely one of the vital artistic folks I’ve ever met, not solely in music, however the whole lot he touches… simply a tremendous artist in the way in which he views issues. So I had been a fan, but it surely wasn’t till this file that we had been capable of begin laughing collectively and telling tales. So, it’s simply been for me a pleasure to hold with him.
When Steve got here to you with this idea for a file, had been you instantly open to it or had been you in any respect f like, “Hey, it’s good of you to have concepts for me, however that’s simply not what I do”?
Taff: Properly, I’ve been fairly open (in recent times) about what I went by way of, and I had been speaking about doing a file that would speak by way of totally different conditions in my life and my journey. So when Steve and John got here to me and stated, “We’re serious about doing this,” it was intriguing. Till we acquired into the studio. As soon as we began… Man, I’m an previous highway canine. I’ve been doing it a sure method for a very long time, and I like sure mics, I like sure compressors, and I prefer to sing to a reasonably full observe. Steve stated, “We simply need one thing sincere and actual, of you singing with out actually serious about it.”
So I don’t know — after about two songs, I acquired so annoyed it. It was like I couldn’t nail down what this was or the way it was occurring, and do I even need to do that? As a result of I wasn’t snug. However that labored out good in the long term, to in the end discover performances like this. I met with Steve in my frustration, and he promised me: “Russ, I gained’t allow you to embarrass your self.” I’d by no means made a file like this, with (minimized) instrumentation like this and fervour like this. I had belief in Steve after crossing paths with him by way of the years. So when he stated that, I simply threw my hat into the ring to say, “OK, I’ll go for it,” simply leaning on him.
Past the general idea and temper for the file, half of what’s totally different is you largely singing within the decrease a part of your register, which isn’t Russ Taff singing type folks bear in mind. Is that a part of what took an adjustment so that you can get snug with?
Taff: Properly, with my stuff, from the Imperials on, all people favored me to sing as excessive and as arduous as I may. That’s what all people form of gravitated to, till this file. And John and Steve stated, “Let’s do one thing that’s by no means been performed earlier than. Let’s deal with the decrease register that you simply’ve by no means actually used on an album.” And I didn’t know these colours had been there. I hadn’t heard me sing like that. After which I started to really feel ardour singing that low, not counting on that factor of throwing my head again and singing my head off. However I used to be amazed at that, the fervour that I may discover singing in a decrease register, after which I began liking what they had been doing with it and the place they positioned me within the observe — simply selecting locations the place I may soar up on the next register and nail it, then come proper again down. It was a pleasure, as soon as the whole lot was stated and performed, to take heed to it and go, “Man, I didn’t know that decrease register had these colours to it.”
There’s a very gutsy sound to your voice on this, but additionally a vulnerability. You’ve been very candid and susceptible in recent times with the documentary on you a couple of years in the past, and the podcast you probably did final 12 months — lots of people know your story now, and the way arduous it was. So, how a lot of it was form of type meets operate? Like, desirous to additional faucet into one thing that folks have skilled emotionally with you, tied in with these revelations you’d been making?
Taff: Go forward, Steve.
Taylor: As we had been wanting by way of the songs and selecting which to do, that helped inform what songs felt proper or “nah, that’s not proper for this album.” Russ had picked quite a lot of the songs as nicely, and we felt with each track that we ended up going with that it felt proper for this album “Cowl Story” that’s telling Russ’s story by way of cowl songs. I feel the final one (chosen) was the Nationwide’s track. You recognize, his older viewers may not essentially respect Russ Taff singing a track known as “Demons.” However after Russ and I acquired collectively when he was having a tough time and undecided if he needed to do that, that night time I considered that track, as a result of I really like the Nationwide and notably love that track. I known as him and stated, “Hey, verify this track out. What do you suppose?” And Russ, I feel your response was fairly fast, proper?
Taff: Yeah, as a result of it actually described to me dependancy and relapse. That’s the way in which that I heard the lyric, pondering of these instances in my life after I would go down with my demons and relapse and go proper again to that place I began. Once I heard that track, Steve… You recognize, I’ve been in remedy since I used to be a child, but it surely’s superb how rapidly we could be triggered by one thing. My mom, earlier than she handed away, I’d go on the market as a grown man and he or she would say my title, “Russell,” and unexpectedly I’m 14 years previous once more. I’d climb out of that gap and be making progress, after which one thing would occur — I’d fall again into that pit and I’d go proper again to my demons and begin the method another time. Anyway, despite the fact that quite a lot of my viewers just isn’t gonna get it, quite a lot of ’em have. In reality, the backlash has not been that intense with it. If you realize my story, you perceive the track.
Is there any track on the album you’d say was hardest so that you can sing? Both vocally or emotionally?
Taff: Properly, lots of them. When (Paul Simon’s) “The Sound of Silence” was pitched… I by no means sang any form of a track like that earlier than. But it surely jogged my memory of how you will have some sobriety beneath your belt, like I stated, and unexpectedly you relapse once more and also you stroll proper again into that darkish room and it’s acquainted and it’s like, “Hey, darkness, my previous buddy.” That was actually emotional for me to sing.
And that track “I Will” — “If you happen to want somebody to cry with you, I’ll.” To make that assertion on the finish of my profession to all people that’s been round me… You recognize, on the finish of your life, if you’ve had like 5 shut mates… And I’m not dying but, however I’m simply saying … That track “I Will” was a particular track for me to sing. And naturally I really like (the U2/BB King track) “When Love Involves City.” I imply, I get to bop far and wide like a Pentecostal on that one.
Steve, are there any songs on right here that transfer you most?
Taylor: I’m not a great individual to ask, as a result of I really like this album a lot. “The Cross,” his cowl of the Prince track, will get me each time. “I Imagine in You,” the Dylan track… Russ, I feel you felt that one was private too, proper?
Taff: Oh, man, that’s the one track that I needed to cease 3 times as a result of I used to be crying. It was simply such a dedication in my very own coronary heart: Once more, if you’re strolling away from issues that you simply knew, I’ll comply with Christ — that’s what I would like. Singing that track, it was like I used to be affirming many times, strolling out of darkness that I’ve had, despite the fact that you journey and fall, you’re nonetheless saying, “I consider in you. Assist me.” That was the one track that I teared up 3 times and needed to simply cease singing for a little bit bit.
Taylor: One other track I really like enjoying for folks is “Tear This Constructing Down,” as a result of he’s in this sort of low register, and I simply love watching folks’s faces when he begins increase after which goes up into the upper register and begins nailing that. … “Grandma’s Palms” was one other one that you simply made your personal, simply because it already felt like your story.
Taff: Proper. In fact, that’s a Invoice Withers tune, however we rewrote the lyric. Rising up in a house the place you’ve acquired a Pentecostal dad preacher, however he’s additionally an alcoholic and you’ll’t inform anyone what goes on within the household, and on the age of seven, it’s a must to learn to lie, to inform folks “Daddy’s OK” when he’s not, he’s laying within the again bed room drunk… The one one who knew what was happening was my grandmother. Her home was good behind ours, and from the time I used to be 8, 9, 10 on, I’d go over there. She was an previous Pentecostal girl and he or she would lean her head down and brush her grey hair that went right down to her waist, after which she would roll it up and put it on her head, preparing for church. I may speak to her and inform her how scared I used to be and inform her “I don’t know what to do.” And she or he would all the time say, “Russ, God’s acquired this. Simply hold trusting him.” And so, I’ve all the time cherished that track, and considered recording it 10 years in the past, however I simply wasn’t prepared. With this album, with the ability to rewrite the lyrics to only honor that girl… She handed away after I was 12, and I used to be simply misplaced for fairly some time. I like this as a result of I get to say thanks to my grandma.
Taylor: John Painter is the producer on the album and he’s actually the genius behind all of it. As a result of he had been a fan of Russ’s when he was nonetheless an adolescent and had all of Russ’s albums and knew his voice in and out. Then he and Russ ended up going to the identical church for a few years, pastored by Becca Stevens, who additionally based Magdalene Home, and so John would hear Russ sing in church. So he knew what Russ appeared like when he’s in the course of a observe that’s fantastically produced and has a complete lot happening, and he knew Russ’s voice when it was simply him and an acoustic guitar.
Russ, how has your viewers reacted to this, and general to the vulnerability with a number of the stuff you’ve performed in recent times? You probably did an interview for the “Comfortable White Underbelly” YouTube channel final 12 months the place you actually advised the story of you and your loved ones, no holds barred, and it has greater than a half-million views on YouTube. The feedback on that video are nearly uniformly optimistic, although there have been a pair individuals who had been like, “Properly, I wasn’t ready for the swearing, however aside from that, it’s nice.” Do you suppose your followers had been prepared for the place you at the moment are?
Taff: Properly, most of my viewers is aware of I am going to AA, so I’ve realized some actually alternative phrases going to these conferences. And after I did that interview, it was simply me and Mark Laita within the room. And with the tales that Mark tells [with a focus on subjects from drug addicts to sex workers], I believed, “Properly, man, there most likely should not gonna be that many Christians watching this.” After which I came upon there have been a complete lot of Christians watching. And after I acquired again to the residence, with Steve, I spotted, “Oh my Lord. Oh my God. I let some phrases fly.” However we solely acquired a really, little or no pushback.
Once you shake off faith, which I’ve, and also you simply attempt to be sincere and actual… I’m earthy and I simply need to inform the reality. And religiosity, I imply, I hate it. I simply hate it as a result of it robs folks of a non secular expertise. And so I simply embraced this file. And the those that have adopted me by way of the years, there’s solely been perhaps a small quantity that there was any form of pushback about this. And I all the time say, “Properly, for those who don’t prefer it, I didn’t make it for you anyway,” you realize?
Are you continue to actively touring?
Taff: No, I don’t actually tour like I used to. Man, I used to be on the highway for like 290 days a 12 months for 20 years. And when the children got here — and we had been married 15 years earlier than we began a household — my purpose was to avoid wasting sufficient cash that once they got here alongside, I wasn’t simply on the highway always.
How do you suppose the fabric from “Cowl Story” will combine into your regular units if you do these exhibits now, with the secular songs arising amid the spirituals?
Taff: Properly, when it’s sincere and actual and coming out of your intestine, folks reply. Spirituality just isn’t a sure formulation. Spirituality is what comes out of your coronary heart and what comes down from heaven to you, and it doesn’t must be a gospel lyric and scripture all day lengthy. I imply, I’ve are available contact with life-changing occasions at a soccer sport; it’s not like I’ve to be in 4 partitions (of a church). However I’ve performed the whole lot I’ve ever needed to do and I don’t have time to mess with the criticisms or mess with these which can be “Properly, I simply don’t like what you probably did.” Properly, I don’t care. I’m attending to do what I need to do and consider in these songs. And for those who don’t like me, I’m not gonna come again to your church. I don’t care.
Every other phrases about your friendship and the way that’s developed? As you say, you weren’t essentially spending big quantities of time collectively again if you had been each arising, however now you’re having this opportunity to, in spite of everything these years.
Taff: Properly, let me simply say, after I name Steve, he picks up.
Taylor: That’s proper. Realizing Russ in a deeper method has been actually useful and life-giving to me. Having skilled some issues over more moderen years, with prolonged members of the family who had been going by way of dependancy crises, man, Russ has given me a degree of understanding and praying for members of the family and simply the form of issues that you’d hope for. However actually, he’s only a stunning soul and I really like speaking to him,I really like studying from him and I really like the knowledge that he has. And so it’s been a pleasure working with him and I’m very grateful.
Taff: Identical right here, Steve. Identical right here.