Chip Taylor: The Songwriter Behind Wild Thing and Angel of the Morning

Chip Taylor is a well-known songwriter, famous for his hit songs Wild Thing and Angel of the Morning. He has an extensive collection of songs to his name, but these two tracks are perhaps the most recognizable. In addition to his musical contributions, some people may recognize him as the brother of famous actor Jon Voight. I had the pleasure of working with Chip on his London Sessions album, recorded at his studio in Mamaroneck, NY. 

The album features the soulful vocals of Lucinda Williams, and the masterful guitar work of my good friend, John Platania. I also had the opportunity to play a few concerts with Chip, including one where Anton joined us on percussion, making for a lively and unforgettable experience. Chip's dedication to live recordings with an authentic feel that captures the essence of his music was apparent during our sessions.  Aside from his music, Chip is an expert statistician and often used his skills to win at the race track. 

During my time in the Rondout area of Kingston, NY, I frequented the original Clubhouse in Germantown for recording sessions and developed a friendship with the owner, Paul Antonell, who shared my love for coffee. In a previous blog post, I wrote about my favorite eateries in the Hudson Valley, but I failed to mention the relaxed atmosphere and excellent coffee at Bread Alone in Uptown Kingston, where I often spent my mornings. 

 

My Encounter with Davy Jones of The Monkees

In the 90s, I had the privilege of working with Davy Jones, who was not only a talented performer but also a gentleman and a genuinely good person. I vividly remember my first gig with him, when I accidentally barged into his dressing room thinking it was for the band. Instead, I found Davy sitting there all by himself. I apologized, but he quickly declared that it was OUR dressing room and that there was no other room for "the talent." We had a quick laugh together and enjoyed an easy, comfortable, pre-show chat.

Davy was an amazing storyteller, singer, and performer, and it was a real honor to work with him. During one conversation, he mentioned how The Beatles were actually the first fabricated boy band, not The Monkees, which surprised me at the time.

I was living in the Rondout neighborhood of Kingston, NY, close to the Esopus River, during this period. As someone who loves the Hudson Valley, I highly recommend it. If you're ever in Uptown Kingston, be sure to check out La Canard Enchaine, one of my favorite restaurants. I also had the opportunity to work at local recording studios like Bearsville Studios and The Clubhouse.