First Listen: Russell Taylor can't resist her "Cherry" lips

(February 21, 2022) Russell Taylor has always been an artist who is unafraid to explore the rock side of soul music.  He’s also an artist who is unafraid to be transparent, honest and vulnerable. So at a time when an emerging generation of male artists are more willing than ever to step from behind the mask of machismo and reveal their authentic selves, Taylor is further along that path than many singers and songwriters because realness and is a road that he’s been on for quite a while.

That’s why the pounding rawness of “Cherry,” his latest release will not surprise listeners familiar with Taylor’s work. “Cherry” is a song that tells the story of a man who is in the mix with a woman who definitely is not all in but gives just enough to keep the man coming back. He keeps returning even though he knows she’s lukewarm at best. And it’s that self-awareness that gives the song that extra kick. Taylor uses the fruit in the title as a metaphor for something that looks good on the surface, but leaves him unsatisfied yet coming back in the hopes that it will be better the next time around.

The arrangement, which fuses rock, soul along with gospel tinged piano work, provides the foundation for Taylor throw his voice fully into the lyrics. Check out Taylor’s “Cherry” here.

By Howard Dukes

Russell Taylor – Cherry”