The Essential James Taylor by James Taylor - DeepRiffs

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Volume 1

Volume 2

Though James Taylor defined the early-'70s singer/songwriter movement, he continued to write and record songs of great lyrical and melodic import for decades. His exquisite acoustic guitar skills turned songs such as “Fire and Rain,” “Sweet Baby James,” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” into standards for both radio and acoustic guitarists. (In fact, Taylor offers detailed lessons on how to play his songs at his website.) A number of greatest-hits collections aim to summarize his career; The Essential James Taylor, with 30 tracks, is among the best, as more is always better in Taylor’s case. The ‘70s hits are covered here, but so are his later efforts. “Copperline” has become another classic. “Her Town Too” pairs him with unofficial Eagles member J.D. Souther, and the set ends with live tracks of “My Traveling Star” and ”You Can Close Your Eyes,” which further illustrate how Taylor can hold an audience captive without dance routines or dry ice. Musical talent and well-crafted, understated songs sometimes get the job done, too.

Volume 1

1. Sweet Baby James

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Peter Asher; Production

2. Fire and Rain

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer

3. Long Ago and Far Away

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Peter Asher; Production

4. You've Got a Friend

by James Taylor

Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: Carole King; Composer

5. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Peter Asher; Production

6. Walking Man

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: David Spinozza; Production

7. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: Eddie Holland Jr.
Brian Holland
Lamont Dozier; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Lenny Waronker
Russ Titelman; Production

8. Mexico

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Lenny Waronker
Russ Titelman; Production

9. Shower the People

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Lenny Waronker
Russ Titelman; Production

10. Steamroller

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Lenny Waronker
Russ Titelman; Production

11. Something in the Way She Moves

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Lenny Waronker
Russ Titelman; Production

12. Carolina in My Mind

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: Lenny Waronker
Russ Titelman; Production

13. Handy Man

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Background Vocals: Leah Kunkel
James Taylor; Performer
Bass: Leland Sklar; Performer
Drums: Russell Kunkel; Performer
Guitar: Danny Kortchmar; Performer
Keyboard: Dr. Clarence Mcdonald; Performer
Percussion: Russell Kunkel; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Tambourine: Peter Asher; Performer
Vocals: James Taylor; Performer
Composer: Otis Blackwell
Jimmy Jones; Composer
Lyricist: Jimmy Jones
Otis Blackwell; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Doug Sax; Production
Producer: Peter Asher; Production
Recording: Val Garay; Production

14. Your Smiling Face

by James Taylor

Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Background Vocals: James Taylor; Performer
Bass: Leland Sklar; Performer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer
Conductor: David Campbell; Conductor
Drums: Russ Kunkel; Performer
Guitar: Danny Kortchmar; Performer
Keyboard: Clarence Mcdonald; Performer
Percussion: Russ Kunkel; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Arranger: David Campbell; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Val Garay; Production
Recording: Val Garay; Production
Vocals: James Taylor; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Producer: Peter Asher; Production

15. Honey Don't Leave L.A.

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Background Vocals: James Taylor; Performer
Bass: Leland Sklar; Performer
Drums: Russell Kunkel; Performer
Guitar: Danny Kortchmar; Performer
Keyboard: Dr. Clarence Mcdonald; Performer
Percussion: Russell Kunkel; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Saxophone: David Sanhorn; Performer
Vocals: James Taylor; Performer
Composer: D. Kortchmar; Composer
Lyricist: D. Kortchmar; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Doug Sax; Production
Producer: Peter Asher; Production
Recording: Val Garay; Production

Volume 2

1. Millworker

by James Taylor

Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Cello: Jesse Levy; Performer
Harmonium: Don Grolnick; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Piano: Don Grolnick; Performer
Viola: Louise Schulman; Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: George Ybarra
Michael O'reilly
Lincoln Clapp; Production
Mastering Engineer: Doug Sax; Production
Producer: Peter Asher; Production
Recording: Val Garay; Production

2. Her Town Too

by James Taylor, J.d. Souther

Composer: John David Souther
James Taylor
Robert "waddy" Wachtel
Jd Souther; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Waddy Wachtel; Performer
Bass: Leland Sklar; Performer
Drums: Rick Maretta
Rick Marotta; Performer
Electric Guitar: Dan Dugmore; Performer
Performer: James Taylor
J.d. Souther; Performer
Arranger: Gene Page; Composer
Lyricist: John David Souther
Robert "waddy" Wachtel
James Taylor
Jd Souther; Composer
Conductor: Gene Page; Conductor
Assistant Engineer: Niko Bolas; Production
Congas: Rick Marotta; Performer
Organ: Rick Marotta
Don Grolnick; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Mike Reese
Doug Sax; Production
Recording: Val Garay; Production
Vocals: John David Souther
James Taylor; Performer
Featured Artist: Jd Souther; Main Performer
Producer: Peter Asher; Production
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer

3. Everyday

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Bass: Leland Sklar; Performer
Drums: Rick Shlosser; Performer
Guitar: Dan Dugmore; Performer
Keyboard: Billy Payne; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Vocals: Rosemary Butler
Arnold Mcculler
James Taylor; Performer
Composer: Buddy Holly
C. Hardin
Norman Petty; Composer
Lyricist: Norman Petty
Buddy Holly
C. Hardin; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Renatta Blauer; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Moira Marquis
Billy Miranda
Frank Filipetti; Production
Producer: James Taylor
Peter Asher
Frank Filipetti; Production
Recording: Frank Filipetti; Production

4. Only One

by James Taylor

Bass: Tony Levin; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Drums: Russell Kunkel; Performer
Keyboard: Don Grolnick
Billy Payne; Performer
Percussion: Jim Maelen; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Vocals: Joni Mitchell
Don Henley
David Lasley; Performer
Composer: John Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: John Taylor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Moira Marquis
Billy Miranda; Production
Producer: James Taylor
Frank Filipetti; Production
Recording: Frank Filipetti; Production
Remastering: Ted Jensen; Production

5. Never Die Young

by James Taylor

Bass: Leland Sklar; Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Banjo: Dan Dugmore; Performer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer
A&r: Peter Stiglin
Oberman; Production
Assistant Engineer: Don Rodenbach; Production
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Vocals: Lani Groves
Arnold Mcculler
James Taylor
David Lasley
Rosemary Butler; Performer
Editor: Rhonda Schoen; Production
Guitar: James Taylor
Bob Mann; Performer
Keyboard: Don Grolnick; Performer
Percussion: Calos Vega; Performer
Engineer: Greg Calbi; Production
Mixing Engineer: James Farber; Production
Recording: James Farber; Production
Remastering: Greg Calbi; Production
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Producer: Don Grolnick; Production

6. Copperline

by James Taylor

Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Composer: James Taylor
R. Price; Composer
Bass: Jimmy Johnson; Performer
Dobro: Jerry Douglas; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Lyricist: R. Price
James Taylor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Nathaniel Kunkel
Katherine Miller
John "geetus" Aguto
Matthew Lamonica
Patrick Dillett
Rob Jazco; Production
Electric Guitar: Michael Landau; Performer
Organ: Don Grolnick; Performer
Percussion: Don Alias; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Piano: Don Grolnick; Performer
Mixing Engineer: James Farber; Production
Synthesizer: Don Grolnick
Clifford Carter; Performer
Recording: James Farber; Production
Violin: Mark O'connor; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Greg Calbi; Production
Vocals: Kate Markowitz
David Lasley
Arnold Mcculler
Valerie Carter; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Producer: Don Grolnick; Production

7. The Water Is Wide

by James Taylor

Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Dobro: Jerry Douglas; Performer
Arranger: D. Grolnick
James Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: Traditional; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Rob Jazco
Katherine Miller
John "geetus" Aguto
Matthew Lamonica
Nathaniel Kunkel
Patrick Dillett; Production
Bass: Jimmy Johnson; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Electric Guitar: Michael Landau; Performer
Organ: Don Grolnick; Performer
Percussion: Don Alias; Performer
Piano: Don Grolnick; Performer
Composer: Traditional; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Synthesizer: Clifford Carter
Don Grolnick; Performer
Violin: Mark O'connor; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Greg Calbi; Production
Mixing Engineer: James Farber; Production
Recording: James Farber; Production
Vocals: Kate Markowitz
David Lasley
Arnold Mcculler
Valerie Carter; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Producer: Don Grolnick; Production

8. Country Road

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Bass: Jimmy Johnson; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Guitar: Michael Landau; Performer
Keyboard: Clifford Carter; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Piano: Don Grolnick; Performer
Vocals: David Lasley
Valerie Carter
Kate Markowitz
Arnold Mcculler; Performer
Composer: John Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: John Taylor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Rail Rogut; Production
Engineer: Michael White; Production
Mastering Engineer: Gavin Lurssen
Doug Sax; Production
Mixing Engineer: George Massenburg; Production
Producer: Don Grolnick
George Massenburg; Production
Recording: Nathaniel Kunkel
John Godenzi
Randy Hutson; Production

9. Secret O'Life

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Bass: Jimmy Johnson; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Guitar: Michael Landau; Performer
Keyboard: Clifford Carter; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Piano: Don Grolnick; Performer
Vocals: David Lasley
Valerie Carter
Kate Markowitz
Arnold Mcculler; Performer
Composer: John Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: John Taylor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Rail Rogut; Production
Engineer: Michael White; Production
Mastering Engineer: Gavin Lurssen
Doug Sax; Production
Mixing Engineer: George Massenburg; Production
Producer: Don Grolnick
George Massenburg; Production
Recording: Nathaniel Kunkel
John Godenzi
Randy Hutson; Production

10. Little More Time with You

by James Taylor

Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Bass: Jimmy Johnson; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Guitar: Bob Mann; Performer
Harmonica: Stevie Wonder; Performer
Keyboard: Clifford Carter; Performer
Percussion: Carlos Vega; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Peter Karam
Tim Gerron; Production
Assistant Producer: Ted Cammann; Production
Vocals: David Lasley
Kate Markowitz
Arnold Mcculler
Valerie Carter
James Taylor; Performer
Engineer: Frank Filipetti; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Peter Karam
Frank Filipetti; Production
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Producer: James Taylor
Frank Filipetti
Jill Dell'abate; Production

11. Another Day

by James Taylor

Acoustic Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Bass: Jimmy Johnson; Performer
Cello: Yo-yo Ma; Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Arranger: Stanley Silverman
Edgar Meyer; Composer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer
Assistant Producer: Ted Cammann; Production
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Guitar: Bob Mann; Performer
Keyboard: Clifford Carter; Performer
Percussion: Carlos Vega; Performer
Engineer: Frank Filipetti; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Pete Karam
Frank Filipetti; Production
Vocals: Kate Markowitz
David Lasley
Arnold Mcculler
Valerie Carter
James Taylor; Performer
Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Producer: Frank Filipetti
James Taylor
Jill Dell'abate; Production

12. Hard Times Come Again No More

by James Taylor, Yo-yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'connor

Primary Artist: Edgar Meyer
James Taylor
Mark O'connor
Yo-yo Ma; Main Performer
Bass: Edgar Meyer; Performer
Cello: Yo-yo Ma; Performer
Guitar: James Taylor; Performer
Performer: Mark O'connor
Edgar Meyer
James Taylor
Yo-yo Ma; Performer
Violin: Mark O'connor; Performer
Vocals: James Taylor; Performer
Arranger: Mark O'connor
Yo-yo Ma
James Taylor
Edgar Meyer; Composer
Composer: Stephen C. Foster; Composer
Lyricist: Stephen C. Foster; Composer
Executive Producer: Laura Mitgang; Production
Producer: Steven Epstein; Production

13. Caroline I See You

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Lyricist: James Taylor; Composer
Engineer: Dave O'donnell; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Russ Titleman
Dave O'donnell; Production
Producer: Russ Titelman; Production

14. My Traveling Star (Live)

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: James Taylor
Dave O'donnell; Production

15. You Can Close Your Eyes (Live)

by James Taylor

Primary Artist: James Taylor; Main Performer
Composer: James Taylor; Composer
Performer: James Taylor; Performer
Producer: James Taylor
Dave O'donnell; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

2 volumes in total

Tracks

30 tracks available

Type

LIVE

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 50 minutes and 46 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1416x1416 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

29/30 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

23/30 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Soft Rock, Singer & Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Folk-Rock

Label

Columbia/Legacy

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 10, 2015

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

886444216975