Don Grierson Legendary Vice President of A&R at Epic, Capitol, and EMI.
John Braheny Author of best-selling book, 'The Craft and Business of Songwriting'. Co-founder/Director of the famed Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase. National Academy Of Songwriters board member. Legendary song 'Doctor'.
Bud Scoppa Was Vice President of A&R at Arista, Sire, Zoo Records, and Creative Director of ASCAP. Legendary Rock Journalist for magazines such as 'Rolling Stone', 'Creem', 'Crawdaddy', and 'Hits'. Marshall Altman A&R Consultant at Columbia Records and a staff writer/producer for EMI Music. Former A&R Director at Capitol Records and Director of A&R at Hollywood Records. Jonathan Weiss Music Supervisor for many top network shows and Hollywood films. Also did A&R at Capitol Records and at MCA Music Publishing
Jerimaya Grabher Former A&R Director at A&M Records and Windham Hill Records. Ted Lowe Was Director of A&R, Urban at Epic Records and Warner Bros, Records. Currently a music supervisor for films. John Loken Was Director of A&R at Warner Bros. Records Intl., before becoming Vice President and General Manager of Ultimatum Records. Peter Gallway Executive producer of Grammy-nominated albums featuring Chrissie Hynde, Ron Sexsmith, Marshall Crenshaw, Jonatha Brooke, Suzanne Vega, Roseanne Cash, Jane Siberry, Jill Sobule. Was an A&R Consultant for leading Folk/World/Jazz label, Shanachie Records, 11 original albums as artist for Warner/Reprise.
TRINA TAYLOR
PARTIAL LIST OF REVIEWS 2006 - 2007!!
Song: Have You Ever Had a Day?
“Trina - This is a fantastic song with a very relatable lyric. Your voice sounds very expressive, which you achieve without resorting to any sort of histrionics or false bravado. It simply feels natural, clean, clear and emotionally compelling.A very well written song and an emotionally compelling performance.” - Taxi A&R
Song: I Am Me
“When I first hear your voice... I'm reminded of Stevie Nick's cool raspy sounding tone which is really cool! I like your encouraging view on our lyrics.” - Taxi A&R
Song: Shades of Blue
“Vocal sounds very expressive, structural arrangement flows smoothly from section to section, and the song is very memorable. The little flutter in your voice recalls a singer from the 70's called Melanie, although you in no way sound like a retread of the past. This song sounds wholly contemporary.” – Taxi A&R
“Song has good feel and groove.Great 1st line of verse.This is the existential question that cuts through all of life's distractions. Verse melody is appealing.Ch hook gives an emotional lift.Melody is good, as well song title.Placement.Bridge section is a fine addition and leads well to Ch return.Expressive vox performance.”Taxi A&R
"Love the atmospheric lead guitar that colors in the verse sections. Spareness of the verse sections allows your voice and the lyric to take center stage. Lyrical theme sounds very personal, sincere. The emotion in your voice rises up out of the narrative in a way that feels very natural. I can tell you're tapped really into the emotional core of the narrative. Hook is memorable. Another superb performance/song writing effort." Taxi A&R
Song: Natural High
"This is a fantastic song, and the performance is amazing. Love the emotion in your voice. Love the way in which the band uses dynamics to enhance to emotion in the performance. Playing is very tasty. Never interferes with the vocal, only enhances it. Chorus hook sends chills up and down my spine. This is amongst the best material currently being submitted to Taxi." Taxi A&R
Great vocal performance. Sounds like you're really digging in during the chorus sections. Love the words in the chorus and how they relate to your old profession. Takes guts to give up a high paying job in order to play music. It's cool that you've found a way to refer to your situation in a way that could be applied by the listener in any number of ways pertaining to their own personal situation.”Taxi A&R
“Good lyric story line.I like the "Natural High" phrase, which offers a positive choice alternative, versus the Drug High most people make some reference to. I like the Ch resolution of the lyric challenges.A very plaintive melody line adds the dark edge that supports the lyrics.I like the vox phrasing you use.It does have a tinge of Eddie Vedder's style.Ch hook has good appeal.I like the bridge section and it's inclusion of We, as a point of listener identity. This song has a special appeal and will many a listener.” Taxi A&R
Song: American Dream
“For me this song sounds the most instantly appealing of the three, perhaps because of the upbeat tempo and instantly memorable melody line. Love how the chorus helps lift the song emotionally. Vocal sounds great throughout, but it really escalates in intensity during the choruses.” Taxi A&R
General:
“Trina- Reading your bio, sounds like you come a long way and did a lot of it all by yourself. Congrats. Your voice reminds me of a mix of Stevie Nicks and Lucinda Williams... kinda cool! You have a great sound around you too, the musicians are very professional sounding. Good luck.” Taxi A&R
“If in fact it is true that you have only been writing and performing for such a short time, it is pretty remarkable how powerful this material sounds. Some people seem to intuitively understand that craft and business of writing songs, however, and it doesn't take long before they're churning out real classics. To my ears it sounds like you've got the craft part of things firmly under control.” Taxi A&R
“Your song lyrics are intelligent, and passionate. You deal with many complex life issues that many a listener can relate to. Your choice of melody lines works well for your vox range and style. Vox are emotionally expressive, yet never sound forced.Music parts and arrangements work well. .Eddie Vedder's inspiration is heard in some the vox phrasings. To me, it's a good thing and pays homage to his life changing inspiration in your life.I enjoyed listening to your songs, and hope to hear more in the near future..Thank you.”Taxi A&R
