Key facts
- Ed Sheeran discovered Allan Taylor's 1978 album "The Traveller" in a New York record store.
- Sheeran's public praise led to the album's first-time release on Spotify.
- Taylor, an 80-year-old folk artist, had been planning retirement.
- The album "The Traveller" won best folk album at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
- Taylor's song "It's Good To See You" has been covered over 100 times by various artists.
Ed Sheeran's recent discovery of Allan Taylor's 1978 album "The Traveller" in a New York second-hand store has brought unexpected attention to the veteran folk artist. Sheeran declared his love for the LP on social media, noting its rarity and calling it a "special vinyl in the collection."
This endorsement comes as Taylor, 80, was preparing to retire after health issues forced him to cancel farewell concerts. The unexpected recognition has led to "The Traveller" being released on Spotify for the first time, having previously only been unofficially available on YouTube.
Taylor, who has had a long but less commercially successful career than Sheeran, shared his life story with the pop star during phone conversations. He recounted his early days performing in pubs, his travels through Europe seeking adventure, and his experiences in the New York folk scene, even assisting Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Despite signing major record deals and performing at venues like the Royal Albert Hall, mainstream success eluded Taylor. He reflected on his career, stating that if the objective is money and fame, one can lose their identity, whereas sticking to one's beliefs leads to failing on one's own terms.
"The Traveller" album itself won best folk album at the Montreux Jazz Festival awards, and Taylor's song "It's Good To See You" has been covered by over 100 artists, including Don Williams and Nana Mouskouri, significantly boosting his profile in Northern Europe.