James Taylor - That's Why I'm Here
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.21 You Save: $5.77 (48%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.57 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for That's Why I'm Here
Free Music Review: A Terrific Albeit Lesser Known James Taylor Classic
Hit: 4 Stars
I was lucky enough to first see James Taylor live in a small outdoor venue called Avaloch in rural Lenox, Massachusetts in the summer of 1970, after this first album recorded by the Beatles in London had been released and just before the release of the fabulously successful "Sweet Baby James" album by Warner Brothers. He appeared alone on-stage with a full head of long, long hair in a simple denim shirt and cut-up jeans with his four or five acoustic guitars, and for two and a half hours proceeded to absolutely enchant the sprawling lawn-full of hundreds of audience members with a spellbinding performance of all of the work from both of those albums. Although virtually unknown at the time, word of mouth had spread so quickly in the Berkshires area (who still considers him one of their own) that many of us went out to get that album to play before he appeared. The rest, as they say, is history. This particular album, "That's Why I'm Here", is also a fantastic folk album, and shows a different aspect of his talents in that he is much more somber, reflective, and open about his own uncertainties and personal troubles in the songs he sings, and in the delivery as well. But a number of my James Taylor favorites are here, including a spare and lean version of "Only A Dream In Rio", a terrific cover of Buddy Holly's "Everyday", and a lovely cover of an old Gene Pitney hit, Liberty Valance". I also like the title cut of "That's Why I'm Here", along with a number of the other songs included here. His performance here is a brilliant indication of just how incredibly talented an interpretive artist Taylor really is, transforming these songs, which are always delivered in that distinct and unique James Taylor style, complete with indelible guitar accompaniments and haunting, suggestive vocals oozing with heartfelt sincerity. This is a lesser album only in the sense that many of the works are unusually spare and folksy, but it is certainly a terrific showcase for how well Taylor can deliver on a variety of original works and covers of traditional folk songs. Enjoy
Free Music Review: Oh, No, Yes!
Hit: 4 Stars
This album was my very first introduction to a musical love affair. My brother brought this home on vinyl and I never knew there was such a smoothness in the human voice. I tend to have attachments to records I listened to as a child, but this record stands up to even the most scrutinous James Taylor Fans or critics. It's a very good place to start if you're just discovering James, which if you haven't yet, you may want to venture out of the cave you're living in and check him out. Some of these tracks fall flat, but even those grow on you. I site "The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance", a Burt Bacharach tune that normally is bathetic, and retarded, But James takes it, and makes it his own, crafting a piece of crud into Gold. Another bright spot is "Mona", a paeon to what could only be a pet pig....
When you was just a football
At Your Momma's side
Reckon everyone figured you for a Barbecue when ya died
Classic. "Only One", "Limousine Driver", and The Title Track, all great tunes, but the key here is how James Taylor's voice remained so healthy after so long. The voice today remains in tact, but this album harkens back to a time when great singers were great singers... not great singers that tried to be politicians. Smooth Phunk
-Ben Bitter,
The Ben Bitter Music Express
Free Music Review: A few great songs
Hit: 4 Stars
I am a huge JT fan. This album is really very good. Not his best, but really really good. I wouldn't recommend it for first-time listeners, but for JT fans. "That's Why I'm Here", "Everyday", "Only One", "Only a Dream in Rio", and his cover of "My Romance" are incredibly great. The rest of the songs are pretty good, though he has a way of making almost anything sound good. The only song I don't like on this album is "Limousine Driver". It's a fun cd with a few great songs and because of those songs, it's worth getting.Free Music Review: Definitely soothing
Hit: 3 Stars
I am a huge James Taylor fan. "That's why I'm here" is another collection of similar sounding songs. The title track, song for you, only a dream, everyday, and only one are great songs. Musicianship is great on the album, a little overproduced, and a few covers. If you have a best of collection, you might want to overlook this CD, asside rfrom the tracks listed it gets boring. The remastered version is a slight improvement over the original. I enjoy putting this on wheni need some soothing.Free Music Review: Stephen Hurren from London (UK)
Hit: 3 Stars
I read in a music book that this album reached number 35 in theamerican charts. Although the first three tracks on it are good, plus "Everyday", the other favourites I like form it are "Only One" and "The Man Who Shot The Liberty Valance". "Mona" is about JT killing a pig. And I don't think that song could have made many people happy. I'm not overkeen on it either.