Stop Messin' Round

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin Joanne Shaw Taylor’s blistering track “Stop Messin’ Round” from her 2021 release The Blues Album. This song, a cover of Peter Green’s classic from Fleetwood Mac’s 1968 album Mr. Wonderful, kicks off the record with an electrifying shuffle that sets the tone for Taylor’s soulful reinterpretation of blues classics. In an interview with Reverb, Taylor shared that she chose this track for its fun, uptempo vibe, perfect for opening the album with a bang. She noted, “It’s fun to sing, and I wanted an uptempo shuffle to kick the album off with,” highlighting her love for the song’s infectious energy. The track’s raw, guitar-driven sound captures the spirit of the late ’60s British blues boom, and Taylor’s version adds her signature husky vocals and fiery guitar chops, making it a standout for blues-rock fans.

Another tidbit about “Stop Messin’ Round” comes from Taylor’s comments on RAMzine, where she explained her selection process for The Blues Album. She said, “Most of my decisions on the songs for this album were very basic. Do I really like it? Am I going to enjoy performing it?” Her choice of this Peter Green gem reflects her deep appreciation for the era’s blues pioneers, particularly Green’s emotive style. The song’s production, helmed by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, amplifies Taylor’s vocal prowess, with Bonamassa emphasizing in a Blues Magazine interview that the goal was to push her as a singer. The result is a track that’s both a tribute to its roots and a fresh showcase of Taylor’s dynamic range, as noted by Bluesdoodles, which praised her ability to capture Green’s feel while making it her own.

Joanne Shaw Taylor’s journey to blues-rock stardom began in her teens in Wednesbury, West Midlands, England, where she was born in 1985. Inspired by legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, and Jimi Hendrix, she honed her guitar skills in Solihull. Her big break came at 16 when Dave Stewart of Eurythmics discovered her playing and invited her to join his supergroup D.U.P. for a European tour in 2002, as detailed on her Wikipedia page. This experience launched her career, leading to her debut album White Sugar in 2009 on Ruf Records, which showcased her soulful voice and songwriting talent. Since then, she’s released seven acclaimed albums, with The Blues Album hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, cementing her status as a leading figure in British blues-rock.

Stay connected with Joanne Shaw Taylor through her official website, where you can find tour dates and music updates. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Fans can also join the vibrant community at the Joanne Shaw Taylor Fan Club on Facebook, a hub for Zoo Freaks and blues lovers to share their passion for her music. Keep the vinyl spinning, and let’s keep messin’ round with the blues!