Sydna Taylor, Lubbock

Here's an older post that I'm re-running after receiving additional information.


SYDNA TAYLOR - Sometimes I Love Him, Sometimes I Hate Him b/w It Doesn't Matter (Desire 20/21)

After collecting local records for 10+ years I've learned never to be surprised by what's in the grooves. It might be an early take on rap, crunching metal from high school kids, or a bordertown 'wall of sound' sound as heard on this record from Sydna Taylor. It's almost as if Phil Spector moved his operation to some shack down on in El Paso or Del Rio .

Little is known of Sydna Taylor within the local circles of former players, producers, and writers. Those that remember her vaguely remember the name, but have no other recollection. Others that might have known her have either passed away or just plain ol' disappeared. Sydna herself shows little interest in re-visiting her days as a singer.

I'm fairly certain Sydna was from the Lubbock area and it was there in the Hub City that Odessan Roland Pike became acquainted with her, possibly while he was in Lubbock himself attending Texas Tech during the late 1950s. Pike was probably introduced to Taylor via local musician David Box.

In the early 60s David began coming to Big Spring, Texas to record at Ben Hall's High Fidelity House studio which had become the popular recording hangout for locals like Mike Malone, Joe Melson, Ted Groebl (owner of Joed Records), Bob Osborn, Ray Roberts, Jack C. Smith, Jim Robinson, Mike Combest, and Roland.

It was here that Roland and David brought Sydna in early 1963 and split a session with another Texas Tech alum, Dow Patterson. David led the original session, playing guitar, and coming back later to add the strings. The remainder of the group included Ben Hall's Ramblers. Taylor recorded but three songs. "You Only Pass This Way One Time" and "Joy of Love" were pressed up for release on the Desire label. The 'left-over' cut was "Sometimes I Love Him, Sometimes I Hate Him", written by Roland Pike, found its way onto a second Desire 45. In addition to writing "You Only Pass This Way One Time" Roland also the session- Mike Malone was evidently not present. (Interesting to note that the publishing for "Sometimes..." goes to Big Bopper out of Southeast Texas. I'm not quite sure who controlled Big Bopper at this point.)

Though not musically inclined himself Roland was good with lyrics and seems to have had a penchant for the production and promotional ends of music managing a few acts including the Great Grannies (Corridor) and Sydna Taylor. The Pike name can be found on quite a few locally produced records, usually as a writer, from the early to mid-60s and often with co-writer Mike Malone. Their collaboration "Baby, The Magic Is Gone" was featured in a gorgeous arrangement as the A-side to the final Velvets single which was released by Monument in 1966, two years after the group's successes- however limited they were - had passed them by.

For whatever reason Pike then took Sydna to Ron Newdoll's Accurate Sound studio in San Angelo where Light Crust Doughboy and Major Bill Smith utility guy Marvin Montgomery arranged "It Doesn't Matter" by a Virginia Phelan. Pike had previously placed a song with the Doughboys and the Pike-Malone team also saw one of their songs released on one of Bill Smith's ubiquitous instrumental singles under the The Texans moniker on Charay.

Aside from Jack C. Smith playing guitar other session details aren't known, but the horn player lends the song a Mexican flavor. And like the David Box side from Big Spring strings are once again brought in giving the record a sound not too far off from a New York or Phil Spector production of the time.

Sydna would go on to record a 45 on Ron Newdoll's Askel label as well two releases on the Pepper label before moving on to religious music.

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Many, many thanks to John Davis-White for most of the details above regarding Sydna, David, and Roland. Much of John's information came from David and Roland's families and Dow Patterson.