Former Rolling Stones Guitarist Mick Taylor Records With Peter Karp and the Roadshow
at Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ

SUMMER 2003 -- Former Rolling Stones' guitarist Mick Taylor joined Peter Karp and the Roadshow at Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ, recently to guest on a few tracks for Karp's soon-to-be-released blues CD, "The Turning Point" (BackBender Records, Fall 2003).

Taylor first learned of Karp's distinctive music through WNTI-FM deejay Greg Lewis, a fan of Karp's music. Lewis interviewed Taylor on the air, and afterwards told Karp of the interview. Karp suggested Lewis contact Taylor again and tell him that Karp had a song Taylor would love to play on.

A flurry of e-mails ensued between Karp and Taylor, who would not commit to anything until after he listened to the music. Karp sent Taylor not one, but five songs for Taylor to listen to. When he did, Taylor "wanted to play on all of them." He described Karp's work as " really great stuff : top shelf. I knew it the instant I heard them." "Money was not the motivating factor, I knew from Mick's track record that he has high standards - he likes to involve himself in good work."

In New York City recently to perform, Taylor made good on his promise and extended his stay to join Karp for a daylong recording session at Bennett Studios with award-winning producer Dae Bennett (Tony Bennett/KD Lang/Mike Viola/The Flying Nutrinos), also the son of Tony Bennett.
During the session, Taylor played electric slide dobro on "Her and My Blues," a transcendental electric folk blues song; a Les Paul on "I'm Not Giving Up," an inspirational soul/blues tune a la Otis Redding; and a Fender Stratacaster on "The Turning Point," a dramatic number about someone at the crossroads of life.

After the session, Taylor told deejay Lewis that he hopes to cover a few of Karp's tunes on his next release. Also, Taylor and Karp are planning to work together again in the future.

Taylor played with the Stones from 1969-74, a period widely regarded as the Stones' strongest. It was during this era that the Stones released the albums "Let It Bleed," "Sticky Fingers," and "Exile on Main Street."

After the recording session, Karp described Taylor as "disarming, funny, enigmatic and even though he's probably lived a life that would make any good man jaded and cynical, he is still an innocent. Seeing him hunched over his guitar, head down, feeling his way through a tune, I could swear that for a moment, I saw an earnest 13-year-old boy sitting in his place."

"Guys like Peter, James Taylor, and Bob Dylan embody Americana blues, and us English guys are inspired by it. I was attracted to his skill and craftsmanship as a songwriter, his voice...it wasn't until recently I realized what a great performer he is on stage as well. Peter's type of blues really come through...great singing, his lyrics; great songs, I knew it as soon as I heard them...talented writer with a distinctive voice...I quite like what he does"

Mick Taylor
songwriter/guitarist for The Rolling Stones


"Karp has an interesting story. twenty years ago he turned down a recording contract to roam the world and create his own hybrid roots music. Now he's poured that into a great new record "The Turning Point."

David Hinckley
The New York Daily News


"Every once in a while an incredibly professional quality independent CD emerges from
the New Jersey music scene...Peter Karp's "The Turning Point'' on Dunellen-based Backbender Records is the latest effort to reach such heights...the bluesy, rootsy singer-songwriter-guitarist-harpist-pianist should be picked up by a larger independent blues-roots label, such as Alligator or Rounder. If not, there's no justice in the music business, but in this case, there will be because it's impossible to ignore how good this record is and how vastly talented Karp is...."

Bob Makin
Entertainment Editor
Gannett Press
Courier News


"Great songs, a great voice with a great band…"
-- Tony Bennett


"I've seen the future of Roots-Blues - Rock, its name is Peter Karp & Roadshow… This band plays with a sense of dynamics…does not play overly loud with some refreshing songwriting from Dr. Karp…Peter Karp and his band, Peter Karp's Roadshow, are a breath of fresh air on the Garden State blues club circuit.""
-- Richard Skelly
WRSU 88.7 FM
Asbury Park Press


"Peter Karp…The wisdom of his years is evident in the songs he sings and writes. His voice echoes the tenderness of the depth of his emotions…beautiful."
-- Bobby Whitlock
Stax Volts recording Artist Co-founder of Derrick and The Dominoes with Eric Clapton


"In my professional opinion, Peter Karp's songwriting abilities are a mix of John Prine and Bob Dylan with a healthy dose of the blues thrown in for good measure! He paints a picture in your mind as you listen to him sing the tales he has written about. Peter is definitely a rising star in the making." --Melanie Thiel
Mel's Freeform Cafe
91.9 FM WNTI


"...Peter Karp is an up-and-coming New Jersey singer and songwriter who plays in clubs and festivals..." -- Karen DeMasters
The New York Times


"Singer-songwriter Peter Karp believes in honesty, evolution and stories in song...Peter Karp blends blues, folk and rock, drawing from the roots of American music...His influences come from folk, blues and a little country--Dylan, Phil Ochs, John Prine, Bill Monroe, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix... The mix of Mr. Karp's guitar, harmonica, accordion and seductive singing, with the dynamic sound of the pulse of the times, tells lyrical tales threaded with sass and drive.... Through his music, Mr. Karp marches forward to the beat of amour, of Southern summers, sophisticated ideals and dreams - universal truths, built from his experience.... Like Hendrix, Dylan, Vaughn and Waters before him, he veers from barriers and twists the sounds, taking it to places he loves."

--Mary Jasch
The Princeton Packet


"Peter Karp is a cat...a total cat man! He makes you feel like an old friend as soon as you see him...the music flows straight from his heart and has your toes tapping and your head bobbing...his Dylanesque lyrics and chatter will give you some real good belly laughs...his scortching guitar playing is remincent of Albert King, Freddie King, the old masters, of course in his own inimitable style, that is his vibe..."
--Greg Lewis
WNTI 91.9 FM


"…Peter Karp is a mighty singer-songwriter. Whether he’s performing one of his great songs, or somebody else’s, it becomes his song, his story. That’s because he's a natural…like Lyle Lovett…a very soulful storyteller…and if the bastard ever goes out on tour without asking me, I'll smash that Gibson 335 over his head, with or without that damn hat."
-- Todd Wolfe
Former writing partner
Lead guitarist for Sheryl Crow


"...What a voice…moving blues…Karp is a very talented guy…writes funny…intelligent…great songs…so he should forget the music business…"
-- Joey Reynolds
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame DJ
Host of WOR-AM’s nationally syndicated
"Joey Reynolds Show"


"…Karp’s lyrically driven blues and ballads take you through a lyrical journey across the scenic span of America's highways and byways…"
-- Boston Phoenix


"...Outstanding songs...with a sound reminiscent of the Bijou...with a mixture of Blues and Folk...put them all together and you have Geechee Geechee Wawa or Peter Karp and The Roadshow...I think he's great..."
--Lee Leonard
Host of "Jersey's Talking"
Channel 12

 

"…Karp’s unusual style enables him to effortlessly merge folk, funk, blues and rock into a steamy mixture of American music styles…Fans of JJ Cale, Freddie King and Bob Dylan will love him…"
-- Steppin’ Out Magazine



"I usually run when a band takes the stage…not this one…nice vocals…great songs…great keyboard/accordion…tasty drums and bass...great stuff…"
-- Roy Bookbinder
Acoustic blues Artist listed in The Big Book of Blues, The Blues Who's Who and The Rolling Stone's Guide to Blues and Jazz



"It’s a thrill and a surprise to happen across great talent. Someone who really has what they say "Everything" Peter Karp has it all…and them some…and it’s good to know he ain’t "giving it away." Hold on to what you got…it’s REAL."
-- Kim Carmel
Singer / Songwriting partner of Bobby Whitlock – Delaney Bramlett