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Tag: Sally Taylor

  • Family blends

    Family blends

    Sometimes when families get together to sing, they make the most delightful “family blends”…

    Last week, I was on YouTube watching videos starring the Boone Sisters. For those who weren’t around in the 70s, the Boone Sisters are the four daughters of Pat and Shirley Boone. In the 70s, they were a successful singing group, especially among Christians. I’m not a particularly religious person, but I happened to read Cherry Boone O’Neill’s book, Starving For Attention, which is her account of struggling with anorexia nervosa. In that book, she writes about singing with her sisters and what it was like to grow up as Pat Boone’s eldest daughter.

    Many years later, I purchased Debby Boone’s 2005 album, Reflections of Rosemary, which was a tribute to her late mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney. On that album, there is a single track that features Debby Boone singing with her sisters. In the liner notes, she writes about “family blends”, that is the interesting way singers from the same families can blend their voices. Debby Boone writes of how Rosemary Clooney used to sing with her sister and the two were able to harmonize beautifully. I am myself a singer, though I’ve never tried to sing with my sisters. I think it’s mainly because by the time I started singing, they were already long gone from the house and the opportunity never presented itself. Still, I’m kind of fascinated by musicians who are related and sing together.


    This is a 1977 recording of the Boone Sisters singing “Hasta Mañana”, a song made famous by ABBA.

    The Boone Sisters have obviously sung together since 1977, but this was the best produced example of their family blend I could find. Here’s a more updated version of them singing together.


    Covering “You Won’t, You Don’t”, a song originally performed by Billy Gilman.

    Another family with a great blend is the one formed by Carly Simon and James Taylor. Though they’ve been divorced for decades, they did produce Ben and Sally Taylor, who inherited their parents’ beautiful voices.


    Carly Simon, Ben Taylor, and Sally Taylor sing “You Can Close Your Eyes”, a song written by James Taylor.

    That family blend is especially apparent in this video from 1981 starring James Taylor and his siblings…


    James Taylor with Alex, Hugh, Livingston, and sister Kate!

    Sometimes siblings play together rather than blend their voices. Here’s a video of Stephanie Jordan with the Jordan family, singing “Here’s To Life” on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I can’t listen to this version of “Here’s To Life” without being profoundly moved. The Jordan Family was very personally affected by Hurricane Katrina and were still missing a family member when they performed a benefit days after the storm struck.


    Such a moving performance. Brings me to tears every time.

    Lawrence Welk’s show was great for showcasing singing siblings. The Lennon Sisters were just one sister act that performed on his show.


    Based on the comments on YouTube, this video apparently still excites certain male viewers.

    Of course, no blog post about family blends can be complete without at least a mention of the Jackson 5, which is one of the most successful family acts ever.


    The Jackson 5 sings “I Want You Back”…

    And here’s a video starring the Jacksons and little sister Janet!


    The intro to this was obviously very well rehearsed…

    As long as I’m looking at big families and family blends, I have to mention The Osmonds, whose family blends are legendary.


    Anybody else think it’s funny that young Donny Osmond sings about being a swinger?

    I make fun of The Osmonds a lot, but I actually do enjoy this particular rendition of “Love Me For A Reason”.


    It was actually YouTube that introduced me to The Osmonds, since they were popular when I was a wee one. This video is a good example of the way they blend their voices.

    And here’s one that features the entire humongous choir of siblings, including Marie, Tom, and Virl…


    Nice family blend on this video!

    There is something about hearing families sing together that touches my heart, even though I have read that singing families sometimes have their share of interpersonal problems. Of course, the same could be said about any family. I could add a number of groups to this post about family blends, but I want to save them for a future post when I need a good topic. For now, it’s time to get back to the process of moving!

  • Children of rock stars…

    Sometimes I think being one of the children of rock stars must be a double edged sword…

    Last week, I was deathly ill with the latest strain of swine flu. As I could barely stand to be out of bed, I turned on the TV and flipped channels, finally settling on Showtime Extreme, which was showing The History of the Eagles. Having been born in the 70s and raised in the 80s, I have always loved The Eagles’ music and I enjoy a good documentary/tell all. I had read Don Felder’s Heaven or Hell: My Life In The Eagles (1974-2001) and enjoyed it, even though it really made Don Henley and Glenn Frey out to be jerks.

    I was curious about what Don Felder was up to lately, so I did some Googling and learned that his daughter, Leah, married Bruce Jenner’s and Linda Thompson’s son, Brandon Jenner, in Hawaii. I also learned that Brandon and Leah are musicians. I had not heard their song, “Vaselene” before I got curious about what Don Felder’s daughter was up to. But hell, they even have a video! Brandon and Leah and smoking hot together, but though this song has been out awhile, I just found it.


    Brandon & Leah perform “Vaselene” in a nifty video.

    I’ve been curious about the children of rock stars for a long time. Back in the 80s, I remember being astonished when I heard Julian Lennon, elder son of John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia, since a short string of hits. Though I would say Julian’s music was not that much like his father’s, his voice was very similar. And he sure looked a lot like him, too. Julian had a few good songs in the mid 80s, but my personal favorite song by him is “Saltwater”, which he released in 1991. I discovered it when I was a disc jockey at my college. Sadly, as talented as he is, he hasn’t achieved the success his father enjoyed.


    Julian Lennon’s beautiful song, “Saltwater”.

    James Taylor and Carly Simon famously married in the 70s and produced two very talented children in daughter Sally and son Ben. Both have released albums of their own and have contributed to their parents’ work. Ben Taylor seems to have enjoyed more success than Sally has, though they are both blessed with fine voices and guitar skills. I particularly enjoy Ben Taylor’s music, since his voice is like an interesting hybrid of James Taylor’s, Livingston Taylor’s and Carly Simon’s, yet he’s also developed his own alternative style.


    Ben Taylor sings a live acoustic rendition of his song, “Nothing I Can Do”.


    Sally Taylor singing “Unsung Dance”.

    Alexa Ray Joel is another of the more famous children of rock stars. She has launched her own career, following in the footsteps of her famous dad, Billy Joel. She has a nice voice and plays piano. Though her voice doesn’t really remind me of his, it’s definitely strong and capable.


    Alexa Ray Joel sings her dad’s famous “Just The Way You Are” on Katie.

    Lucy Walsh is the very talented daughter of Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. I remember hearing Joe Walsh once say that he’d never encourage his children to be rock stars or help them break into the business. Looks like Lucy didn’t need his help too much.


    I think I might need to download this…

    Willie Nelson and Arlo Guthrie each have musical daughters who have teamed up in Folk Uke, which is one of my favorite duos due to their irreverent sense of humor and penchant for swearing. Amy Nelson and Cathy Guthrie sing original songs and play guitar and ukelele with smashing results. These two seem to be gaining in popularity for good reason. I know Willie has joined his daughter on stage more than a few times, too.


    I like “Shit Makes The Flowers Grow”. It feels like a metaphor for my life.

    And here’s Olivia Newton-John’s daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, singing on Rock The Cradle. She has a very unusual voice. I think I’d rather listen to her mother sing, though I think I can understand why some people think she’s brilliant.

    I am myself the daughter of musical parents, so I understand how the apple often doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to musical talent. Though I have often dreamt of being a musician for a living, I’m too camera shy to consider it. Plus, I’m too damn old. But it is fun to make music and it’s good for the soul, even if I’ll never be a headliner or even a church choir soloist like my dad was. Still, I can say with honesty that musical genes are hard to wash away or hide. It must be tough to be the child of a rock star and really talented in your own right, yet constantly compared to your parents.

    My mother plays piano and organ brilliantly and was often employed by churches to play for services, weddings, and funerals. My dad was a singer with a good tenor voice who often sang in local groups and choirs. I didn’t sing until I was 18 years old and was taking a voice class in college. I had tried my hand at several musical instruments when I was growing up, but none of them stuck until I found out I was a singer. I remember the first time I sang a solo as my mom played organ. Some woman approached my mom afterwards and asked, “That was your daughter who sang?” My mom said I was hers and my dad’s daughter. And the woman quipped, “Wow! She didn’t get her voice from her father, did she?” I have to admit, that comment made me laugh.

    Yes, it’s true that genes can be powerful motivators. I’m glad I took a few minutes to listen to the children of rock stars this morning. I think I may have started the new year off exposed to some new musical blood.