From the Vault...

02/13/2011
#1242

info
James Taylor
"Classic Songs"


© CBS/WEA Records

Year of Release: 1987
Rating:

track listing
  • Fire And Rain
  • Mexico
  • You've Got A Friend
  • How Sweet Is
    (To Be Loved
    By You)
  • Carolina In My Mind
  • Something In The Way She Moves
  • Shower The People
  • Sweet Baby James
  • That's Why I'm Here
  • Everyday
  • Up On The Roof
  • Your Smiling Face
  • Her Town Too
  • Handyman
  • Don't Let Me Be
    Lonely Tonight
  • Only A Dream In Rio

  • WSVNRadio Archives
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M
    N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    James Taylor related sites:
    James Taylor Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1241
    Steven Curtis Chapman--All About Love
    Next Review: #1243
    Michael W. Smith--Worship Again
    James Taylor
    "Classic Songs"



    Some years back, I was looking for a good "best of" collection of James Taylor's music. With all the great songs he has, it was hard to find one with ALL the songs I was thinking of. I came across an import CD, Classic Songs, and it had virtually every song of Taylor's that I enjoyed. (One of the songs I was looking for, was "Her Town Too," which I couldn't find anywhere.) Oh yes, I could have dipped a few more dollars in finding every original album of his, with the songs from Classic Songs on them -- but having a "best of" of James Taylor, with all the memorable hits is a treat.


    Of course, there are the standard classics: "Fire And Rain," "You've Got A Friend," (Taylor's only #1 hit; imagine that!), "How Sweet It Is (To Be In Love By You")," "Your Smiling Face," "Handyman." The other rare classics are "Mexico," a song you really don't hear enough of, "Her Town Too" (a duet with J.D. Souther), "Up On The Roof," and Buddy Holly's "Everyday."


    For the not-so-familiar tunes, "Carolina In My Mind," "Something In The Way She Moves" (not the George Harrison tune), "Shower The People" (which I remembered while I was listening to it...), "Sweet Baby James," "That's Why I'm Here," "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "Only A Dream In Rio" -- All great songs in their own rights, just as the popular "classics" we're familiar with, of James Taylor's incredible music career.


    As I was looking up the recent information on JT, I did notice one song missing from this collection... "Mockingbird" by James Taylor & Carly Simon.) Maybe because this song was not released on Classic Songs was that this duet was originally from the Carly Simon album Hotcakes, likewise on The Best Of Carly Simion. This song could have easily been included on Classic Songs. After all, the duet with J.D. Souther, "Her Town Too" is here, why not "Mockingbird" ?


    Now as I listen to these great classics, I'm curious about James Taylor's original albums, from where these songs were from, and even his most recent releases. No doubt, James Taylor has great material, whether they be the songs on Classic Songs and more. The critics received high reviews of his album Sweet Baby James, and for any die-hard JT fan, they were recommend each and every one of them.


    All of his albums are available on CD:
    AlbumTrack
    James Taylor (1968) "Something In The Way She Moves"
    "Carolina In My Mind"
    Sweet Baby James (1970) "Sweet Baby James"
    "Fire And Rain"
    Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon (1971) "You've Got A Friend"
    One Man Dog (1972) "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight"
    Walking Man (1974) n/a
    Gorilla (1975) "Mexico"
    "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)"
    In The Pocket (1976) "Shower The People"
    JT (1977) "Your Smiling Face"
    "Handyman"
    Flag (1979) "Up On The Roof"
    Dad Loves His Work (1981) "Her Town Too"
    That's Why I'm Here (1985) "That's Why I'm Here"
    "Only A Dream In Rio"
    "Everyday"



    Classic Songs is a "classic" assortment of James Taylor's most popular songs, most specific from his popular years from the Seventies and mid-Eighties. Their all packed in this 16-song collection. This is a great collection to introduce those who have never heard of James Taylor. (Who hasn't?) JT still records albums. Since 1985, he has released five studio albums. His latest is a live album with Carole King - Live At The Troubadour. His most recent studio album was released in 2008, Covers, an album of cover tunes.


    UPDATE: James Taylor's 2015 release, Before This World, has become his first career #1 album, on Billboard's Hot 200 Albums chart.


    © WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of CBS/WEA Records and is used for reference purposes only.


    Previous Review: #1241
    Steven Curtis Chapman--All About Love
    Next Review: #1243
    Michael W. Smith--Worship Again