Kate Taylor feels joyful, keeps spirits high, thanks friends, and rewards listeners with optimistic messages on Why Wait!, a celebratory album that marks the 50^th anniversary of her first recording project, Sister Kate, a 1971 collaboration on Atlantic Records with Peter Asher (of Peter and Gordon fame). Reuniting with the three-time Grammy Award winner to produce this 2021 album, Kate and Peter lined up three artists who had played on the debut album: Leland Sklar (bass), Russ Kunkel (drums) and Danny Kortchmar (guitar), along with several other consummate musicians including Waddy Wachtel, Albert Lee, Dan Dugmore, Jeff Alan Ross and others who add a whole lot of instrumental dazzle.    

Kate Taylor brings a sturdy voice to a song list that’s stacked to the rafters with soulful hits from the likes of John Lennon/Paul McCartney, Etta James, Staple Singers, Nancy Wilson, Ed Sheeran, Lowell George and her brother James.  Kate Taylor’s own folksy artwork graces the cover, and herself-penned title track is a rollicking nod to life, love and happiness in the here and now when she and her choir of backup singers exclaim, “Why wait?, Why wait for Heaven?, Why wait?” Other standouts include her covers of “Long Distance Love,” “Good Day Sunshine,” “I Will Follow,” “Don’t Knock”, and “The Glory of Love.”  A bluesy rendition of Taj Mahal’s “He Caught the Katy” establishes a solid groove, and a nostalgic song like Tommy James’ “Crystal Blue Persuasion” always brings back great memories for me. This is a smart and tasty album, not lacking in both sass and style. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)