Ed Sheeran's endorsement revives Allan Taylor's 1978 album The Traveller

Pop star Ed Sheeran discovered Allan Taylor's 1978 LP 'The Traveller' in a Williamsburg record store and posted a rave review on Instagram in April 2024, calling it a 'special vinyl.' The endorsement led to the album's official release on Spotify for the first time. Taylor, an 80-year-old English folk singer, had just retired after 60 years in the music scene, canceling farewell concerts due to health issues. Sheeran and Taylor have spoken at length, with Taylor describing Sheeran as 'down-to-earth.' Taylor's career included supporting Fairport Convention at the Royal Albert Hall, hanging out with Bob Marley in New York, and signing major record deals, but mainstream success eluded him. 'The Traveller' won best folk album at the Montreux Jazz Festival's awards. Taylor's storytelling style, influenced by European folk and country, drew comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash. His song 'It's Good To See You' has been covered over 100 times by artists including Don Williams and Nana Mouskouri.