Do you like James Taylor?

shack
shack Posts: 11,154
edited September 2009 in Music & Movies
I was going to post this in the "What are you listening to?" thread, but decided it needed it's own thread. Every now and then you hear something that makes you go...wow! This album fits the bill. I am generally not a fan of compilation albums, but this one is worth mentioning.

James Taylor - The Best of James Taylor
Warner Bros. R2 73837
2003

e6a5024128a03205f0a9e010.L.jpg

I'm not sure where or when I purchased this CD, but it has been in the rack for quite a while. I have several of JT's albums on vinyl including the James Taylor - Greatest Hits album from 1976, which is considered to be a very good compilation...but nothing on CD.

I decided to open this one up and give it a listen tonight. I took off the shrink wrap and sealing tape...popped it in the CDP and sat down to listen. It started playing and I immediately looked up to see if the green SACD light was lit up. It wasn't. The first track was "Something in the Way She Moves" and it sounded awesome! "Sweet Baby James" was next and more of the same sweet sound. I listened to all 20 tracks...(all of them very recognizable since they are truly some of his biggest hits) and was not disappointed in any of them. Whenever you get a "best of" album it may be a bit of hit or miss. Often they are merely a group of tracks quickly put together with little or no care as to the flow or mastering. Not the case here! There has been some excellent re-mastering of these tracks. Balance, soundstage, clarity, position of the voices vs instruments, etc were spot on. Afterwards I put the Greatest Hits LP on for a spin and this CD sounds better IMO.

The live version of Steamroller Blues alone is worth the price of admission.

Here are the tracks:

1 - Something in the Way She Moves
2 - Sweet Baby James
3 - Fire and Rain
4 - Country Road [Single Version]
5 - You've Got a Friend
6 - You Can Close Your Eyes
7 - Long Ago and Far Away
8 - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
9 - Walking Man
10 - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
11 - Mexico
12 - Shower the People
13 - Golden Moments
14 - Steamroller Blues [live]
15 - Carolina in My Mind [1976 Version]
16 - Handy Man
17 - Your Smiling Face
18 - Up on the Roof
19 - Only a Dream in Rio
20 - Bittersweet


All in all this CD has most of James Taylor's best known "hits" and excellent SQ. If you are interested in picking up a James Taylor "best of" that won't disappoint...this is one to consider.
"Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
Post edited by shack on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,130
    edited September 2009
    I have that one and love it. Track 1 rules.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited September 2009
    I like JT. I heard him live in 1976 and I was really impressed. His LP on the Beatles "Apple" label is outstanding. All Apple label recordings were very good. JT's had a lot of brass, strings, spectacular fidelity. "Something In the Way She Moves", "Going to Carolina in my Mind" were originally on that LP. Good stuff. I may pick this CD. Thanks for posting Steve!
    Carl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited September 2009
    I'm glad this CD doesn't have "Mockingbird" with his ex Carly Simon. I hate that ****!
    Carl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited September 2009
    Yep! one of my favorite Music DVDs is James Taylor Live at the Beacon theatre.:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited September 2009
    I have the Greatest Hits (1976) on CD and was expecting more. Perhaps I'll hunt down the Best of... CD. Thanks Steve.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited September 2009
    nope, can't say I do
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited September 2009
    I really enjoy the live album "One Man Band" too. Check it out if you're a fan.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2009
    I have one man band and it is excellent.

    Regards,
    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Barefoot
    Barefoot Posts: 149
    edited September 2009
    Yep. Good stuff. I have the October Road SACD and it's pretty good as well.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2009
    schwarcw wrote:
    I'm glad this CD doesn't have "Mockingbird" with his ex Carly Simon. I hate that ****!

    Me Too...way too sappy.
    hoosier21 wrote:
    nope, can't say I do

    Doesn't suprise me.

    Say...are you still groovin' to that Deee-Lite album Bruce turned you on to? ;)
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2009
    Now why would like an artist with musicality, well recorded, and a guy that sings on key?????

    The track Gaia has bass hits that will move your bollocks so far over your taint those well endowed can please themselves.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited September 2009
    shack wrote: »
    Say...are you still groovin' to that Deee-Lite album Bruce turned you on to? ;)

    he promised to make a copy, but never did :mad:
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2009
    as reported the tropical island Bruce was spotted on has no electricity to copy cd's, however, it is filled with young slightly clad native girls whose **** tilt slightly upward, he has trained them to whisper dee-lite in their native tongue softly to him each night as he sips his colada and eats the pineapples they have peeled for him...........

    I am not sure if the word about MJ has reached him.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2009
    reeltrouble1 wrote:
    as reported the tropical island Bruce was spotted on has no electricity to copy cd's, however, it is filled with young slightly clad native girls whose **** tilt slightly upward, he has trained them to whisper dee-lite in their native tongue softly to him each night as he sips his colada and eats the pineapples they have peeled for him...........

    I am not sure if the word about MJ has reached him.

    RT1

    How odd. He sent me an email a couple of weeks ago and said he was in Houston. Did not say a word about any pineapples...peeled or otherwise. :confused:
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2009
    you were phished.........hope you did not give up anything......Tour smells like fish so an easy mistake to make.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited September 2009
    Yes, definitely a good CD!
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
    edited September 2009
    I picked this one up this afternoon so we will see. :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2009
    reeltrouble1 wrote:
    you were phished.........hope you did not give up anything......Tour smells like fish so an easy mistake to make.

    RT1

    All he wanted was your email address, street address and telephone #. I didn't see any harm so I gave the info to him.

    Funny though...since then I don't seem to be getting as many viagra spams as I used to...Maybe just a coincidence.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2009
    Thanks for the tip Shack. I have his greatest hits. I'll have to look for this one as well.

    BTW Ted, I have Mockingbird. Carly included it as well as Devoted To You, on her Anthology album. 2 outstanding duets!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited September 2009
    cfrizz wrote: »
    BTW Ted, I have Mockingbird. Carly included it as well as Devoted To You, on her Anthology album. 2 outstanding duets!

    Eeeeeewwwwwwwww!
    Carl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2009
    Get over it. I love good harmonization & those 2 had it in spades!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited September 2009
    Hah nice coincidence, literally just through this cd in and started reading CP.

    Great album, sounds sweet on the new speakers.


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • POIDOG
    POIDOG Posts: 391
    edited September 2009
    I have this one & must say it's excellent. I went to see JT many years ago with Carole King ( yes I'm old so what) It was an excellent night, I think :confused: It was the early 70's with the ususal herb in the air.

    Anyhow, Best of JT, for years I would not buy this album. Literally would pick it up & put back. Too "uncool". However, as fate has it, I was able to get it thru Amazon, & retained my level of "chic". Best damn "Best of " in my collection. Country Road & Walking Man, 2 of my faves. Say what you will about "Mudslide Jim", the man is a stylist & makes good music. :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,520
    edited September 2009
    Do you like James Taylor?
    Nope.
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter