James Taylor - One Man Band [CD + DVD]
![One Man Band [CD + DVD]](/images/One-Man-Band-CD-DVD-B000V4ZY2Y-L.jpg)
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Free Music Notes for One Man Band [CD + DVD]
Free Music Review: A Relaxing Evening Proves an Unobtrusive Showcase for a True Troubadour
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to admit my interest in James Taylor's latest offering was piqued by Sheila Weller's recently published book, Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--And the Journey of a Generation. Taylor was a pivotal figure in the lives of all three women - he platonically befriended King (and turned her epochal song, "You've Got a Friend" into a Grammy Award-winning hit), had a romantic relationship with Mitchell and eventually married Simon for eleven turbulent, drug-filled years. Recorded in July 2007 at the Berkshires' intimate Colonial Theater, the almost sixty-year-old musician looks and especially sounds great with still a glint in his eye when he talks rather economically about those times. Naturally, he sings King's gentle anthem paying tribute to her generosity in giving the song to him and refers to Mitchell jokingly with the b-word. Sadly, there is no mention of Simon, the mother of his two grown children both managing their own musical careers. Regardless, the CD-DVD combo set is a genuine treat for all us longtime Taylor fans.
Stripping the arrangements down to his own fretwork and piano accompaniment by Larry Goldings, Taylor is such a comforting performer that it's easy to take his prodigious musical talent for granted. As a more avuncular, Garrison Keillor-type presence forty years after his recording debut, he still has the crystal-clear voice that enthralled us all those years ago. The CD is a straightforward recording of his concert performance, while the DVD adds a beautiful travelogue introduction of the Berkshires and Taylor's relaxing stage banter between songs. It's no accident that his two-hour set opens with "Something in the Way She Moves", the song that first motivated Apple Records to sign him in 1968 as the first-non-Beatles act on the label. Later in his set, he also sings the equally classic "Carolina in My Mind" from his debut album. Throughout the evening, Taylor jumps back and forth fluidly through his extensive discography, as the title track from 1998's Never Die Young remains a lovely paean to the wonderment of childhood and how essential it is not to lose touch with it.
1991's New Moon Shine provides two of his more idiosyncratic songs - "Frozen Man", a sea chantey-like song about an unlikely subject, a century-old, cryogenically preserved man found in the Arctic; and the plain-strange "Slap Leather", which has an elaborate drum machine accompany Taylor singing through a megaphone. The same album is the source of the evocative "Copperline" filled with vivid images from his North Carolina youth. "Mean Old Man" sounds like a Tin Pan Alley tune with Goldings showcased with his swinging piano accompaniment. Goldings also solos on the tranquil instrumental track, "School Song". There is a generous sampling from his breakthrough 1970 album, Sweet Baby James - "Country Road", the bluesy "Steamroller Blues", his still-moving signature song "Fire and Rain" and the title track, a "cowboy lullaby" written for his nephew's birth.
The Tanglewood Festival Chorus joins in on the lush "My Traveling Star" from 2002's October Road and the love-thy neighbor anthem, "Shower the People", from 1976's In the Pocket. One of my favorites is also included, the openly winsome "Secret o' Life" from 1977's JT. Of all things, Richard Nixon's 1974 resignation is the inspiration for his gently sauntering "Line `Em Up" from 1997's Hourglass, and instead of his classic "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" from 1972's One Man Dog, he chose to include the quirky "Chili Dog", a tribute to the still-thriving Pink's Hot Dog Stand in LA. The closing track is the appropriately elegiac "You Can Close Your Eyes" from 1971's Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. What once again becomes clear from this performance is the impeccable craftsmanship of Taylor's music and the open heart of his lyrics. While a lot of favorites are inevitably missing, this is a worthy summation of a true artist embarking unbelievably on his fifth decade.
Free Music Review: A Must Have
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a great collection of James Taylor recorded in an intimate setting. No big instrumental group or backup vocalists. It's pure James Taylor, without anyone to hide behind. You have the CD if you just want to listen, or a separate DVD if you want to watch the concert. I love having two discs, because I put double-sided discs in upside down all the time. A "must have" if you like James Taylor.Free Music Review: Really enjoying the CD.
Hit: 5 Stars
I've played the CD numerous times-love it
Haven't watched the DVD yet but I saw the concert on PBS and really enjoyed it.
Free Music Review: Great Nostalgia
Hit: 4 Stars
James Taylor still sounds the same. Some great nostalgic tunes to remember years gone by. He has a great sense of humor and really loves entertaining. I saw the One Man Band show on PBS and really enjoyed it. This is great value for the money the music on CD and the DVD to watch the concert. Overall a great CD. Free Music Review: No Disappointments
Hit: 5 Stars
James Taylor is never diappointing, but this video far exceeded anything I expected and I would highly recommend it to any JT fan. He continues to get better and I loved hearing the history behind these songs.