Taylor Dayne Album: “Tell It to My Heart”

Taylor Dayne has been one of the few artists that I always can't get enough of, though she hasn't been in the spotlight recently her music still lives on. I own her first two albums as well as her Greatest Hits and I'm planning to buy her "Soul Dancing" album soon this is due because Taylor has immense talent that goes ignored. With a range of vocals, Taylor's voice alone just gives you chills! Most people only know her hit "Tell It To My Heart" and forgive my friend for saying, "Isn't she a one hit wonder?" Oh my, if only she knew what hits pumped out of Taylor in the late 80's to early 90's. This is the perfect album to get you started into become a Dayne follower.

With a strong debut album you can do wonders and this album proves that Taylor, with her Chaka Khan, Tina Tuner-ish vocals and Expose-ish dance grooves, could put two and two together to make a one of a kind unforgettable debut album.

I think everybody has heard of the mega hit, "Tell It To My Heart" to get a gist of the drving force the song has, backed with synths and Taylor's strong vocals no wonder it was a hit!

Followed with the sing-songy, "In The Darkness" is cute then the tightest bass line in "Don't Rush Me" (my personal fave) follows, giving Taylor a gruff edge. The lush, sweet ballad of hit "I'll Always Love You" packs a pretty punch then into "Prove Your Love" which is pure 80's pop at it's best, no doubt! "Do You Want It Right Now" features Taylor trying her hand at some scat plus giving some spine-tingling yells. My fave ballad off of this has to be "Carry Your Heart" this song is not to be miss, why it wasn't a single is beyond me! Taylor, backed with lush snyths, really "carries" her voice through the song, sounded angelic, feels like your floating on a cloud...:) A remake on a debut, how risky! But Taylor pulls it off, making it sound (gasp!) better than the original! "Want Ads" is the name and 80's pop dance fun is it's game, not one to miss!

Now the last two songs, "Where Does That Boy Hang Out" and "Upon The Journey's End" didn't fare well with me too much..."WDTBHO" is a song to listen to once in awhile, Taylor again going for the sing-songy approach then "UTJE" is a nice ballad but doesn't measure up to the other ballads on the album. FYI: The man singing along with Taylor in "UTJE" is named Billy T. Scott, he was a backup singer for ta da! Mariah Carey in her early "Vision Of Love" days!

I recommend this album to anyone who either loves 80's (like myself :) or just likes to hear some good music by a great vocalist. A stellar debut from a songtress that should be remembered!

Taylor Dayne's first album came out on Jan. 19, 1988, though they printed 1987 on the album. Bur this was a dynamic debut! She had such a soulful voice here. At times, she sounds like Mariah Carey did on her 1990 album. But this album also was one of Ric Wake's first hits as a producer; the same guy that would later do Mariah, Celine, Jennifer, and dozens of other artists. I still love the title song and Prove Your Love. But I still love I'll Always Love You, which sounds like it could have been recorded in Atlanta. Don't Rush Me didn't hit until 1989, so it was another hit in its own right. But I like other numbers like the sassy Want Ads and Where Does That Boy Hang Out. She has such an R&B voice that reminds you of the soul singers of back when. Her next album was more rock driven, very Tina Turner-ish, than this pop debut, but this debut really was dynamite all the way through!

"Tell It To My Heart", Taylor Dayne's first album as a solo artist, begins with the same-named single, which is also one of my favorite tracks on here. My other two favorites are #3 ("Don't Rush Me") and #5 ("Prove Your Love"). This CD is full of similar great ballads--some fast (like #6: "Do You Want It Right Now"); some slow (like #4: "I'll Always Love You")--all with upbeat, catchy lyrics and distinctive vocals. If you're a fan of pop/dance music from the 80s, then you'll more than likely enjoy this CD.

Taylor Dayne came out with her first album while I was living in Japan. I actually discovered her music from Japanese friends. They loved it and so did I. When I returned to the US I looked for more of her music and ran out of choices fast. It seems that there were a lot of artists, and good ones at that, who got into the business to make their fortunes and get out. Wish she would have stuck around. She had some great music.

Taylor Dayne was one from my generation. This album has her hits like "Upon the Journey's End" where you hear her strong, vocal voice. Taylor Dayne's talent, voice, and contributions to music as a singer are somewhat forgotten.

Taylor's deep voice helps bring out "I'll Always Love You" which is another personal favorite. She sings a lot of love ballads and always with that rich voice. "Tell It To My heart" is another great hit song that gets better with time. Taylor's performance in her singing comes across as brilliant as it is and even more so today. "Don't Rush Me" is another hit song that displays her musical range.

Her voice is deep and her songs are love ballads from a woman's point of view without being feminine and delicate. Taylor Dayne is a tough but talented singer who deserves more respect and this debut album of hers was an instant success and it shouldn't be forgotten as one of the classic albums of that decade.