Joe Taylor’s “Melba”: A Beautiful Instrumental Tribute Filled With Heart and Gratitude
Wait! You see that particular someone that always at every gig or a local bar whenever you look over at the crowd and he’s always there? And it’s ain’t like they trying to act cool or get VIP treatment. They just genuinely love the music. They know all the regular players, they cheer the loudest, and their energy completely warms up the entire room. To musicians, those people are who they live for. They are the true backbone of any live music scene.
So when a legendary supporter like that passes away, it leaves a massive hole in the community. That is exactly what happened when Melba, the mother of famed pianist Jeff Franzel, passed away. For years, she was a constant, smiling face at the New York City nightclubs where her son and guitarist Joe Taylor performed. You know when such a person passes away, we do the regular and still go ahead to do something extraordinary. So what happened was, instead of just sending a regular condolence card, Joe Taylor did what any great musician would do. He went into the studio and wrote her a beautiful musical love letter. The brand-new single is named simply “Melba”, and it’s a total masterpiece of gratitude.
To those who are new to Joe Taylor, this guy is an absolute heavyweight in the industry. He has worked as a guitarist and producer with everyone from heavy metal pioneer Ahmet Ertegun to jazz icon Dave Koz, and even pop legends like Donna Summer. So forget about the chats, man’s been topping it like coffee in the morning, like how charts on RCA Victor, had a Grammy nod for his electronic work, and scored big television projects for CBS and Discovery Channel.
Now his latest single, Melba, is a standout track from his brilliant new album, Last Boat Home, released through Moonwatcher Music. His previous record, Westside Chill, was all about the fast-paced, high-energy vibe of New York City life. But this new album takes a complete turn, trading the concrete jungle for a rootsy, relaxed blend of instrumental Americana, blues, and jazz.
Coming back to this track Melba. This is a cozy, deeply felt instrumental tune. It features Joe’s signature, clean guitar work paired perfectly with beautiful piano backing. The track doesn’t need any lyrics to tell its story. It relies entirely on a warm, rolling melody that feels like a comfortable Sunday morning. I love how sweet the track feels, it’s a celebration of the unsung heroes of music: the listeners. Infact I love how Joe didn’t write a dark, depressing funeral song. Instead, he crafted a tune that captures the pure warmth, kindness, and dedication of a woman who always showed up for the band.
It serves as a reminder to cherish the people who support our passions and to keep their memories alive through the things they loved most. Jeff Franzel himself joins in on the record, making the tribute to his mother even more personal and meaningful. And the thing is, this is a track that can be used to celebrate those people in our lives, those who are always there, those who will go every mile just to be present in our lives, our events and see our growth, to those people, we say we love you!
It’s a beautiful, easygoing piece of music that has already started climbing up the smooth jazz playlists, and it is the perfect track to put on when you want to sit back, pour a fresh cup of coffee, and relax. Joe Taylor has managed to take real-life heartbreak and turn it into a comforting, uplifting piece of art. It’s independent music at its absolute finest. The track is up and running, so go ahead and give “Melba” a listen, and start appreciating those people in your life!
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