14 Below

Although the vast majority of Rolling Stones songs from the Mick Taylor era sported Jagger/Richard writing credits, there's no denying that Taylor provided an extra creative spark for the band -- as the Stones never truly scaled the same heights as Sticky Fingers or Exile on Main St. again. And the same (albeit less surprisingly) could be said for Taylor after he went his merry way from Stones land. But Taylor remains one heck of a blues-rock guitar player to this day, as evidenced by 2003's 14 Below. Originally issued in 1995 as Live at 14 Below: Coastin' Home, the re-release features the same exact track listing but a different album cover. No matter. Taylor's playing is still exceptional, especially on readings of the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" and Willie Dixon's "You Shook Me" (both of which are ten-minute-plus jam fests). If you've lost track of Taylor since the early '70s, 14 Below will prove that arguably the finest lead guitarist to pass through the Stones' ranks has still got what it takes. ~ Greg Prato|