For a man who has gone through depression and drug addiction, divorce twice, serious personal injury (after a 1969 motorcycle accident in Martha's Vineyard) and family bereavement (with the loss of his brother Alex in 1993), it is astonishing that James Taylor's life in music has been largely an expression of sensitivity, hope and compassion - not of self-pity, anger or blind hostility. For these reasons alone, I appreciate James Taylor music so much.
I've loved James' voice ever since I can first recall hearing Handyman on UK national radio back in 1977 (I was unaware of him prior to then). It was no surprise that he received a Grammy that year for this record, in the category of Best Male Pop Vocal performance; his style was so natural, soulful and relaxed. His delivery appeared to epitomise the word 'effortless'.
Like some 20 million others since, my principal entry point into James' career came via his Greatest Hits album, first released back in 1976 and co-produced by none other than Peter Asher, who'd been at the helm of his first album for The Beatles' Apple label back in 1969. Prior to then, Peter had known Danny Kortchmar, an old friend of James' who'd collaborated on early live performances with him, back in New York, and it was Kortchmar who helped to facilitate a meeting with Asher for the fledgling star, once he'd reached London in the late 60's. When James subsequently left the somewhat chaotic Apple label and began recording for Warner Brothers, Asher became James' manager whilst continuing with his production duties. Fast forward six years or so and the Greatest Hits package appears, containing excellent re-recordings of songs such as Something In The Way She Moves and Carolina In My Mind. A myriad of session men also convened to add their various contributions to the project - luminaries such as David Crosby and Graham Nash, Michael Brecker and.....would you believe, Danny Kortchmar! The album should be an integral part of anyone's record collection.
From there I progressed to other long players such as Sweet Baby James - the title track being one of my all-time favourite songs - Gorilla and In The Pocket, the latter containing the perennially uplifting Shower The People. Deservedly inducted in to the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000, James' career is now as strong as it's ever been and his influence has been acknowledged by musicians as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Alison Krauss and Bonnie Raitt. A truly gifted individual.
I've loved James' voice ever since I can first recall hearing Handyman on UK national radio back in 1977 (I was unaware of him prior to then). It was no surprise that he received a Grammy that year for this record, in the category of Best Male Pop Vocal performance; his style was so natural, soulful and relaxed. His delivery appeared to epitomise the word 'effortless'.
Like some 20 million others since, my principal entry point into James' career came via his Greatest Hits album, first released back in 1976 and co-produced by none other than Peter Asher, who'd been at the helm of his first album for The Beatles' Apple label back in 1969. Prior to then, Peter had known Danny Kortchmar, an old friend of James' who'd collaborated on early live performances with him, back in New York, and it was Kortchmar who helped to facilitate a meeting with Asher for the fledgling star, once he'd reached London in the late 60's. When James subsequently left the somewhat chaotic Apple label and began recording for Warner Brothers, Asher became James' manager whilst continuing with his production duties. Fast forward six years or so and the Greatest Hits package appears, containing excellent re-recordings of songs such as Something In The Way She Moves and Carolina In My Mind. A myriad of session men also convened to add their various contributions to the project - luminaries such as David Crosby and Graham Nash, Michael Brecker and.....would you believe, Danny Kortchmar! The album should be an integral part of anyone's record collection.
From there I progressed to other long players such as Sweet Baby James - the title track being one of my all-time favourite songs - Gorilla and In The Pocket, the latter containing the perennially uplifting Shower The People. Deservedly inducted in to the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000, James' career is now as strong as it's ever been and his influence has been acknowledged by musicians as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Alison Krauss and Bonnie Raitt. A truly gifted individual.
There's a guy I've discovered lately, who shows many similarities in his material to James Taylor music. His name is James Henry, a UK artist. You can get a download of James' song Saturday Morning for nothing, by clicking the link below - he is definitely worth checking out.
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