Shadow Man

by Greg PratoThere's a bit of false advertising behind the 2003 double-disc Mick Taylor release, Shadow Man. The album in question is not a Taylor solo recording, but rather it features Taylor as a sideman, to a singer named Sasha Gracanin. It turns out that Gracanin specializes in an over-the-top R&B style of singing, and hogs most of the spotlight. And as evidenced on such tracks as "Turn Off the Light" and "Shadow Woman," leaves little space for Taylor's guitar. Expectedly, there is, of course, the obligatory Stones cover -- "Honky Tonk Woman" -- which shouldn't come as a surprise. The second disc of the set fares far better, as it's the six-track live set, 2003's 14 Below, which allows Taylor more than enough room to do his thang. Certainly not the best Taylor release out there, but may appeal to Stones obsessives.