Flag - James Taylor

Advantages: good songs to begin with
Disadvantages: disappointing versions

.... The track included here is of the single cut. [1 < 5] 3) Never Coming Back Again MATCHBOX 20 - I never liked this group's front man's soingin'(sic), and the only thing that made this one shot band to sell out so well is the charisma of their vocalist Rob Thomas to attract a lot of women and thus boost them sales. This version of a Fleetwood Mac classic is nearly equivalent to a blaspheme. [2 < 5] 4) Don't Stop ELTON JOHN - this is Elton's chance to render this Fleetwood Mac classic in a moment that fits so well with Elton's equally classic forte. However, sadly it is boiled down to the kind of no-juice delivery that is now prevalent in the works of the now aging-Elton; who among with James Taylor, Rod Stewart, and Eric Clapton should've rather retired than continue in their already flagging carreer which only puts them in lesser fondness... Read review

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Advantages: Driven by musical passion. Great Jazz structures (+ lack of)
Disadvantages: All tracks are very similar (no variation)

...A must have for all JTQ fans. This album incorporates acid jazz with the classic James Taylor quartet sound. Opening with Joe's Diversions, the hammond organ sound takes lead throughout the album. Vocals from new singer Yvonne Yanney bring new light to the quartet - the most prominent track being 'It's all over'. For all jazz, and especially acid jazz fans, this album provides complex melodies and harmonies, whilst capturing the unusally simple structures of acid. The album is well produced, and the selection of tracks (11 in total) are well chosen. I would recommend this album to all fans of JTQ and jazz, and to those who are willing to try something new in their musical tastes. Truly a great album, full of musical passion.... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning melodies, stunning lyrics, stunning voice and stunning guitars.
Disadvantages: There's not enough of it!

...James Taylor began to drift out of the mainstream music industry several years before I was even born, to be succeeded by artists like Joni Mitchell - with whom he played the Royal Albert Hall in 1970 - and John Denver. Taylor has long been considered unfashionable and outdated, if he is lucky enough to be remembered by the popular crowd at all. Be that as it may, the fact remains that it is to Taylor's Greatest Hits that I return over and over again. Taylor seems to have been forgotten as an individual artist - it's rare that you hear him played on the radio, these days - but he lives on as a legend, influencing much of modern folk-rock. James Taylor is, quite simply, one of the most talented musicians ever to be recorded. Like Mark Knopfler - another artist he has worked successfully alongside - he has a very distinctive... Read review

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Advantages: Great CD, new tunes which are just as great as the old ones!
Disadvantages: A couple of more boring tracks slipped in there.

...Where to start......... I am a big fan. James Taylor's music is all great! Though there are obviously going to be better albums than others. The best by far is Sweet Baby James, so if you're looking for where to start, start there. However, this is a contender. Just because he's not in the hight of youth does not stop James from producing a great album which is even better (in my opinion) than the highly acclaimed "Hourglass", the previous album. This album starts with the classic Jam"es Taylor fingerpicking technique and great songwrting of October Road" which has got to be the best song of the album. "September Grass" is not far off though the cover "Mean Old Man" is less of my cup of tea. I'd say that this album ranks around fifth in my Taylor Collection. Preceed by "Sweet Baby James", "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon", "JT... Read review

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