Jeannie Taylore

In 1987, Jeannie Taylore, an actress (most notably on the enormously popular show EastEnders) and singer, went into a studio in London for the all day recording session that became ROUGH DIAMOND. The backing musicians, led by Big band veteran Billy Amstell, laid down the music for songs ranging from Jazz ("What A Difference A Day Makes") to Country ("By The Time I Get To Phoenix""), Pub favorites ("I Wanna Go To Heaven" & "Let Me Call You Sweetheart") to Gospel ("The Old Rugged Cross") and the inspirational closer "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Jeannie was in school when her classmate built a crystal radio that captured the airwaves ("Pirate radio", she calls it) and she heard music from America - The Platters and Jerry Lee Lewis- stand out in her memory. Her Aunt, who sang in pubs, gave her records and encouraged Jeannie to sing. She says " my favorite was Dinah Washington - her voice was soft and kind but also strong"

Other favorites were Ketty Lester, Sarah Vaughan, Ella and Billy Eckstine. The LP she played over and over was by Timi Yuro and Jeannie turned it into her signature song bringing every audience to their feet with her rendition of "Hurt" which has "an appealing, wistful, slightly husky quality ''

In addition to Pubs, Jeannie sang in Jazz Clubs in London (The Esquire Club where she was made an honorary member, as a guest singer at Ronnie Scott's, at The Embassy Club and The A & R Club) as well as in venues in Ireland, Scotland & Spain. Today she sings for charitable organizations because "I love to help people" says this extraordinary vocalist.

As an extra in numerous movies filmed in England, Jeannie met American actors Jimmy Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Robert Mitchum, Jack Nicholson and James Garner. Jimmy Cagney was enthralled by Jeannie's Cockney voice, asking her "Are you a real Cockney?" In fact, she is really a Cockney and served as a technical advisor for Authentic Cockney Dialect and rhyming slang on many films and TV shows.

Rough Diamond has received radio airplay in The USA, Canada, England, The Netherlands, South Africa and Australia

Awards

Pub Entertainer Of The Year (London, England) 3 times

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