James Taylor - James Taylor
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Free Music Notes for James Taylor
Free Music Review: A little immature, but a formidable first album...
Hit: 4 Stars
When 20 year old James Taylor managed to forward a demo tape to Paul McCartney in London, I doubt either of them knew where it would lead. But this very early James Taylor recording is a classic and an extraordinary album that any serious JT fan should own. From the haunting memento of his experience in Maclean Psychiatric Hospital, 'Knockin' around the Zoo', to a folky, quicker and more upbeat version of 'Carolina in my Mind', the album gives a blueprint of the easy, poignant style JT was later to develop on 'Sweet Baby James' and his later work.There are a few low points, such as the lyrics of 'Taking it in', which are somewhat trite (references to chicken and beans lying on a plate, for example) and also JT's over-reliance on day/night/sun/rain imagery. However, the appalling string accompaniments and links provided by producer Peter Asher take the cake for negligent interference and all but ruin the songs in places. Asher felt that JT's acoustic style would benefit from such creative ministrations. It did not.
That aside, this is an album of immense beauty and pathos, and shows a remarkable songwriting talent in its infancy. One of my favourite tracks is the pared-down version of 'Something In The Way She Moves' which is clean, simple and powerful. His mellow baritone and mastery of the fretboard combine to create a style both unique and accessible. An amazing first album which should be acquired by all lovers of acoustic folk music.
Free Music Review: Discovered Treasure
Hit: 4 Stars
I had long been interested in finding the original Apple version of "Carolina on My Mind." The version with which most are probably familiar is that which James rerecorded for his first greatest hits album. Since that album was on Warner, I guess there must have been copyright issues or something. Anyway, if memory serves, James' original album, not including his work with the Flying Machine, had long been out of print, at least in the US, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this album was available, for some time now it seems, on CD.In addition to "Carolina on My Mind," most James Taylor fans should also be familiar with "Something in the Way She Moves," as it was also rerecorded for the greatest hits album. However, I was impressed at the strength of the rest of the album as well. Keep in mind that, even though in this day and age, we think of James Taylor as somewhat of an icon, he was all of 19 or 20 years of age when he recorded this album. Yet, the quality of the songwriting is every bit what we have grown to expect from James Taylor.
Although I have been a fan of James Taylor for almost 30 years, ironically this album seems to me as though it were brand new.
Free Music Review: Nice debut: a concept album with instrumental interludes
Hit: 4 Stars
The king of mellow pop got his start here; it's a very good album to listen to as background to just about anything - communal dinners with your friends from the 60's/70's, whatever. And most of the songs are very good to listen to carefully, individually, when you take the time. He's very inventive - the feeling he conjures, even when sad, warms your guts (which can be very, very helpful). Between each two songs is an instrumental interlude; they are of all sorts, played by various players - there's even a harpsichordist.Taylor isn't about to bring high excitement to anyone, but as for relaxation and groove, he's got plenty. It's not that easy to put 'bite' into 'mellow' - here he does just that. Let's not forget a sense of humor, which inhabits some of the songs - always portrayed with a quiet, confident touch.
Here, his voice doesn't come off nearly so reedy as later on in his career; nor is there even a twinge of his later, more lukewarm and self-absorbed, almost jaded sound. At this early stage, everything was dovetailing together quite nicely. If you don't mind the understatement, it's very elegantly, and eloquently done.
Free Music Review: Foreshadows Greater Things To Come
Hit: 4 Stars
Often dismissed as a curio, James Taylor's debut album released in the spring of 1969 on The Beatles' own Apple Records contains 12 orginal songs by Taylor and the deft production touches of the inimitable Peter Asher. There are several bright spots here, in terms of Taylor's skills as a songwriter. Carolina On My Mind, Something In The Way She Moves and Rainy Day Man all demonstrate his ability to convey inner emotions with light hearted humor and joy. The string arrangements used to segue from song to song add a novel touch. However, at times they seem a bit over done and get in the way of the real music. None the less, this is an interesting view of a raw talent. As both a singer and songwriter, Taylor was to reach his zenith during the mid seventies at Warner Brothers. With albums like Sweet baby James, Mudslide Slim and One Man Dog, he established himself within the ranks of his generations finest tunesmiths. All things consider this first effort displays ample warmth and charm and foreshadows greater things to come.Free Music Review: Sweet Baby James Is Born
Hit: 4 Stars
There is nothing like the raw simplicity of a new artist's initial work, and this album is no exception. Little wonder that APPLE and Peter Asher saw the genius that is James Taylor back in London in '68. And thank God for that!
James' talent is attested to by his musical longevity and the respect he is given by other perhaps bigger-selling artists.
It is often said that genius comes from pain. James' debut solo effort whilst on heroin & coming to terms with an unfathomable world is ... well ... simply fabulous and the versions of 'Carolina In My Mind' and 'Something In The way she Moves', to my mind, are far superior here to the later slicker versions he did.
Sure, this talented musician went on to write several more great hits as he "matured" into the mellower performer & writer he is today, but for me, this beats the lot! A must-have!