James Taylor - The Best of James Taylor
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Free Music Notes for The Best of James Taylor
Free Music Review: Can't Go Wrong with 20 of James Taylor's Greatest
Hit: 5 Stars
Nobody would dispute that James Taylor is one of the most pre-eminent singer-songwriters of our day. You only need to see him perform live to realize the depth of this man's talent. Forget all the pre-fab, manufactured pop "icons" mass marketed by record companies today - James Taylor is nothing of the sort. When James gained his fame back in the late 60's and 70's, it was based on nothing less than exceptional musical talent. James Taylor writes moving songs, and he can pick a guitar with the best of them. His tenor voice is unmistakable, one of the smoothest crooners in popular music. It takes an extraordinary musician to remain in the limelight over the course of four decades, as James has done - he deserves all the accolades and recognition he's received over the years.
This greatest hits album is a wonderful collection of some of James Taylor's best tunes. It's marvelous to be able to hear songs like "Sweet Baby James," "You've Got a Friend," or "Carolina In My Mind" played under the technological gift of digitally remastered recording - these tunes have NEVER sounded better!
I don't blame you for holding onto your old James Taylor recordings - whether they're 8-track, vinyl, or cassette. You've probably got lots of memories tied up in those recordings! But I urge you to take advantage of the digital sound offered in this new release. This quality digital recording finally does justice to twenty timeless tunes from one of the best singer-songwriters ever.
Free Music Review: The sweet sounds of Sweet Baby James
Hit: 5 Stars
Yes, Virginia, there was a time when quiet, reflective acoustic music was the rage. And not just in supermarkets and elevators, and not all that long ago. James Taylor's music exemplified the best of the folk and folk-rock traditions that grew out of the 1960s and early 70s. Some of his tunes are classics. "Fire and Rain," telling of the death of one of the singer's friends, perfectly captures the wistful reaction of youth when faced with untimely death. "Carolina on my Mind" is a soulful elegy to the peace and harmony of rural life. "Sweet Baby James" combines allusions to the lonely quiet of cowboy life and modern highway driving with marvelous poetry. The line, "Now the first of December was covered with snow; so were the Berkshires from Stockbridge to Boston" never fails to conjure an image of silent, snow-girt, ribbons of highway undulating over forested New England hills.
I confess that I am partial to Taylor's earlier work. Later works, like "Handyman" and "Shower the People," lack the subtlety, musicality and introspective charm of masterpieces like "Something in the Way She Walks." But that's me. "The Best of James Taylor" is worth listening to, by old fans but especially by younger listeners who hear so little serious reflective, unironic, lyrical music. Music that everyone needs to hear often, or at least once.
Free Music Review: Twenty-five years late. Right on time.
Hit: 5 Stars
There is very little on this album that couldn't have been released on a James Taylor "best-of" in 1978. Up On The Roof appears to be the most recent track, if you can call 1979 recent.Unfortunately, this was about the time that Ol' JT switched record labels (Columbia to WEA) and so it was not possible to get a Greatest Hits package that actually contained all his greatest hits.
It still isn't. Not quite. Missing in action are his duets with his ex, Carly Simon (Mockingbird & Devoted To You), his duet with JD Souther (Her Town Too), What A Wonderful World (recorded with Art Garfunkel & Paul Simon) and the lovely remake of Buddy Holly's "Everyday". Or anything he's recorded during, say, Britney Spears' lifetime.
But what is here more than makes up for what's missing. Classic gentle songs, that warm you like brandy on a winter's night. And like brandy, age does not harm the contents.
At this year's Grammies, James was part of a singer-songwriter performance. Alongside "young whipper-snappers" like John Mayer and Vanessa Carleton, JT performed the 30-year old "Sweet Baby James", a track than never even sniffed at the charts.
One has to question whether Mayer or Carleton will be able to strike similar memory chords in 2038.
Free Music Review: Great mastering of great songs
Hit: 5 Stars
As a sampler of the anticipated upcoming remastering of James Taylor's Warner Bros. catalog, this is a fantastic teaser. All these tracks have been available for a long time on CD, except for the rare Apple recording of "Something in the Way She Moves," yet the WB tracks (everything up to "Handy Man") have never sounded so warm and clear. The Joni Mitchell harmonies on "You've Got A Friend" and "Long Ago and Far Away" are a revelation, as are the lovely multi-tracked JT harmonies "Golden Moments" and the strings on "Walking Man." The few tracks on the end of the disc from his early/mid Columbia years have been remastered recently, both on their original albums, and the "Greatest Hits Vol. II," which is also a nice overview of Taylor's post WB years up until his great 2002 studio album "October Road." (The exception is, the new song "Bittersweet" which is amiable, but not resonant like Taylor's other recent work.) It might have been better to draw upon some more choice album cuts from the WB years, but this is merely subjective. What's here is poignant, passionate, sublime and sounding better than it ever has.Free Music Review: Best of Sweet James!
Hit: 5 Stars
I grew up listening to James Taylor. I loved his gentle voice. It sounds as if he can heal any sad situation the way he easily rock you softly. During the folk rock generation of the late 60s and 70s, Taylor along with others like Carole King brought to listeners a kind of enjoyment and comforting solace. The lyrics gathered on his life of loneliness, longing, dreams, hopes and gentle passion. The way he handles himself is in a way terse and optimistic all at the same time.
There was a rare concert appearance with Carole King. They both did 'You've Got A Friend.' They both share it's sentiment. Not only has he recorded and performed it, but Carole King has recorded it from her album, "Tapestry." This is a very special album for me because all the favorite hits are here in one album. From the pleasant, bluesy 'How Sweet It Is' and moody 'Fire and Rain' to the musing 'Handy Man' and the magic in 'Sweet Baby James.' Who makes music like this anymore? It's hard to realize that all the bygone years have gone by so fast that we only have great memories of what some of the great stuff use to be. That's my sweet baby James :).