Tune Req: songs by James Taylor (tab)

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: emily rain
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:39 AM

i love james taylor. i love him.

and that is all i will say.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:37 AM

Thanks Mike......Very well thought out and clearly expressed. You're spot on about chord structures......I don't listen to Van Morrison either.

catspaw

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Metaphor Mike
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 01:28 AM

JT - An exponent of pentatonic scales using his voice in a way that sounds effortless but is almost impossible to reproduce faithfully.

His overlying melody lines are supported by chord structures that are actually quite intricate, and if you want to do the job properly you have to play them all if you want to do his songs justice.

Sure he's repetitive - but it's a vehicle that plenty of singer/songwriters use for effect - if you don't like repetition then don't listen to Van Morrison! (another one of my favourites)

Anyway there is a web site devoted to all his work and you can also get lyrics, chords and tablature at: http://www.james-taylor.com/JTalbums.shtml

Enjoy NZ Mike

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: The Shambles
Date: 10 Jun 99 - 02:27 PM

My favourite trick is to put the wrong key harp in the harness. In does tend to detract a little from the overall effect of the song when you have built up for the big harmonica break.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: annamill
Date: 10 Jun 99 - 10:15 AM

Rick,

I read an article explaining the song once. I don't know when or where I read it. Many, many years ago...

Being from the era I'm from, on the side I was on, knowing people who got back, and one who didn't, that song was a little special to me.

I just received your CD. Haven't had the chance to listen to it yet though. I'm looking forward to it.

annap

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 Jun 99 - 02:24 AM

Don, the best example to me of how many irreplaceable brain cells I'm dropping, is the number of times I start the next song, forgetting that I'm in DADGAD, or dropped D. Heather says I've got to make my spoken introductions shorter..or just play in one tuning.

Anna, are you sure that's the story from "Fire and Rain"? I heard something quite different, but it might be totally wrong.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Don Meixner
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 10:43 PM

Shambles,

I found my self doing that a few times too. Only I usually drop the capo, can't find the key I'm suppose to be in, and am probably doing the wrongsong anyway.

Thats why Taylor gets the big money.

Don

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 06:57 PM

He sang in the key that he was in, but not the one the band were in. He then just smiled to himself and moved the capo up and sang where the band was.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Bert
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 03:32 PM

Sham, did he sing it in the wrong key or transpose as he went?
Bert.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 03:18 PM

I had a brother-in-law who used to sit and listen to his wife and mother-in-law bitching about someone on the TV, usually female. He would then say very loudly "well I like her".

Well I like James Taylor.

I saw him on one of those New Years Eve TV programes from Scotland. I liked him all the more when he played the whole of the first verse of the song, with the capo on the wrong fret!

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: LEJ
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 03:11 PM

Rick and Cats...yes those were great Reagan songs, but in my book nothing matches his duet album with Ollie North, I Ran Contrary . Remember "I've Got a Loverly Bunch of Kooks and Nuts"?

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: annamill
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 02:27 PM

Hello,

Maybe we need a definition of "Folk" music again. I'm not a great James Taylor fan, but..."Fire and Rain" is the story of a young man who went to Vietnam and expected to come back to find the woman he loved. While he was on duty she was killed. He always thought that he'd see her again, just one more time again.

He experienced 'pieces on the ground', sunny days that wouldn't end, cold wind, fire and rain. She kept him sane. Then she died.

I think this is a hell of a story told well. That's all Utah Philips does.

Of course, I'm new to all this.

Love, Anna

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 02:25 PM

Rick, is that album still available? I think it's the one with "Hinckley Dinked Me,Pardon That's Rude" on it. I don't think it was on his other album, "Lullaby of Bombs Aweigh" but I could be wrong.

catspaw (Rantings? Me?)

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 02:11 PM

Hmmm, I knew I'd get involved in this sooner or later, and figured it might be because of Catspaw's rantings.
First of all, I don't have strong opinions on the work of either Neil or James. Neil's success (I feel) is the result of writing lyrics without a trace of intellectualism (therefore accessable to all, even young kids) and catchy tunes (he really does have several, guys) with haunting and memorable little guitar figures. He's also exceptionally cute, which counts for an AWFUL lot.
James was taken under Paul McCartney's wing and thus had huge instant distribution on his first album. Perhaps one in ten thousand singer songwriters get that lucky. His instrumental style uses constant suspensions, minor sevenths on the "2" chord, and in general, I think he's a pretty accomplished player in several keys. Like Dory Previn, and Kate Bush (two other pretty accomplished "depression singers") he's got his place, and I'm told is a very generous live performer.
The third person in the "most criticised" triumverate would be (to me) Cat Stevens. Cat could also be good background music to kill yourself by, but he's (was) one of my favourite musicians. He used simple chord progressions in a hugely inventive way, and his melodies were far less predictable than James'.
I shouldn't comment on the songs of Ronald Reagan, 'cause I'm not as familiar with them as I should be. I'm told that when he played the tipple he could make you cry. His song about nutrition for immigrant workers, "Wetbacks and Ketchup", from the album "I'm Not Bonzo!" was a classic.
I apologize in advance. I will now leave in disgrace.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 01:46 PM

No offence taken or intended CP, I just wanted to draw a line somewhere! I am sure I have offended Neil Young fans! As you said, we are just having fun. Hope you had a good birthday, and always glad that the plans they made didn't, etc.
Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 12:58 PM

Uh, Peter......Did I say "Fire and Rain" wasn't a good song? Taylor has a very distinctive style, as does Neil Young, or Ronald Reagan for that matter. Tastes are different, but people with something distinctive are a much easier target BECAUSE of it.

My apologies if I offended in some way, but hold onto it as a "Blanket Future Apology" as I can't seem to help myself.

catspaw

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 10:37 AM

I'm sorry, but "Fire and Rain" is a great, original song, and though James has written drivel and repeats himself too much, he should be allowed credit for that, at least. Most people don't even get close to one song that powerful. He can repeat it forever as far as I am concerned.
This repetition of a tune through similar tune colours is obviously a matter of taste, (and not overdoing it) but that shouldn't necessarily be a bad thing: it is called a style. If you listen to Joni Mitchell's Blue, there is really only one tune (if by tune you mean a style, a shape, a recurring sound). That doesn't mean it isn't one of the great albums of the century. I have been listening to Neil Young for years, and I have always assumed that his style was a lack of tunes, i.e. all tune colour and nothing like a note anywhere. Has anyone found a tune in Neil Young yet? The Tune with no name?
Yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 09:42 AM

Jaxon, try this.......You can sing "Fire and Rain" to almost every song!

catspaw

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Jaxon
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 08:47 AM

IMHO evrything after his first two albums sounded exactly the same. Listening to him is like listening to a recording of waves breaking on the beach - a constant sound that's just there.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 02:28 AM

James Taylor...you can't really knock him as a musician, fine picker and good voice. BAD ACTOR!!!!! But more to the point, especially as I read this thread, his style can be either pleasant or very irritating depending on your personal taste. Hey, Neil Young is truly a helluva' musician, but his "aura" (?) is hard for me to take, hence the "Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed." I'm sure a lot of you didn't know, but there's also the "James Taylor Rehab Clinic for the Semi-Catatonic." Fine facility.

Sometimes we're not all "dissin" them...just havin' a little fun.

catspaw

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 Jun 99 - 11:36 AM

Poor old James. No wonder he needed all that psychiatric treatment!

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Indy Lass
Date: 08 Jun 99 - 11:12 AM

James Taylor is to American music as white bread is to the American diet.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Ian Stephenson
Date: 08 Jun 99 - 07:40 AM

Hi again. Sorry To use this thread for my own use, but I need someones E-mail address. Bri -I wanted to send you a personal message using the mudcat, but I found that you aren't a proper member. Could you send me your E-mail address if you have one? Cheers, Ian My apologies again.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Ian Stephenson
Date: 08 Jun 99 - 05:05 AM

Here I stand, on the verge of controversy, about to admit to a ton of critics that I find James Taylors music relaxing, soothing, and down right "nice".
Am I mad?
Nope.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: GUY WOLFF
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 10:49 PM

I think I read somwhere that Mr. Taylor started his study of music as a cello player ...I find that interesting since he uses midrange runs and voicing like the cello.Because the guy has a personal derection I guess I would agree that he can get redundent but he has a wanderfull sence of meodey and can tell a story. I think he can be just great and has been an honest voice for getting past chemical dependency and an advocate for the 12 step side of life..Pritty brave ....Cheers to all Guy>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: John Hindsill
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 09:03 PM

o'hanrahan--

You should be thankful you haven't heard my songs (but of course you were being ironic since you read my message!) or you might say of me what I said of Taylor.

However, I have been listening seriously to folk music since 1957/8, and have a reasonably extensive collection of records, CDs, and books. Perhaps that gives me some right (if one needs a right) to comment on the performance of an artist or group. I gave a couple of concrete examples of my opinion...you may agree or disagree, as is your right.--John

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Bri
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 06:39 PM

I'm sorry Nielen...after searching for awhile, I still couldn't seem to find it. So sorry. Bye! Bri

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: o'hanrahan
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 03:48 PM

Gee wiz guys. James must have some talent after all he has been selling out concerts and producing records since the late sixties. He may not be the greatest, he is not traditional folk, he can't sing like Andrea Bocelli, but he's got something. Otherwise how do you account for his staying power. It's not like i can recall any John Hindsill songs that i thought were any good. John, no need to slam other folks art. Anyhow, I like his style, enjoy his songs and think one is sadly mistaken if they think his vocal range is minimal. Listen again. Plus as my friend Andy says " he's the coolest bald man on the stage."

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From:
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 03:28 PM

Try this for some J.Taylor music Great music

http://www.dreamscape.com/esmith/dansm/acoustic/songs.

sutnumin

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 12:21 PM

Rose

This will explain Singer-songwriters a Defence.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: nielen
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 12:11 PM

Thank´s Bri

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From:
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 04:00 AM

This (on good days) singer/composer thinks you're -all- right. JT's vocal range is... um.... unventuresome. He has not only turned some songs into dirges, in recent years he has written some of the most SMARMY, sickly-sweet pretentious new-age/pop swill I've ever heard. But he's written and covered some treasure as well... so he's uneven!

I wish I could be as bad a S/S as JT.

And Don is right: he's the sort of virtuoso guitarist that makes it all look and sound so simple and obvious that the untrained ear thinks it IS simple and obvious. James has forgotten more about the guitar than most of us (especially his detractors) have ever learned

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Jun 99 - 01:09 AM

James Taylor, humm, not fond of him, don't even really care for anything he does/did. It's just a personal preference & a matter of personal taste to me not a complaint about him.
As for the singer/songwritter issue/complaint (oh no, here we go again, please hit me now) for me that's another matter of personal taste. I believe that there are far more less than good or great s/s's out there but I'm not going there this time, Goodnight, Barry

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 11:48 PM

My daughter hates James Taylor because she thinks he ripped off Buddy Holly, who is one of her favorites, when he recorded "Everyday." Personally, he's not my favorite although I like "Mexico" and Lion is mad for "Jelly Man Kelly". My daughter also thinks James Taylor is "corny and sleezy"!!! My daughter typed that last line

LEJ

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Don Meixner
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 11:17 PM

I like a lot of what James Taylor has written and I have enjoyed his concerts as well. Is he my favorite ? No. I think he is at best vocally adequate and tends toward non dimensional in his singing. But so was Phil Ochs, Leonard Cohen, Malvina Reynolds, Shel Silverstein.... If ability to sing was all that mattered there would be a lot more folks out there recording.

James Taylor is a very good guitar player. His simple style is very deceptive and much more complicated than it sounds at first hear. I 'd not pass the chance to play as well as he.

Don

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Rosebrook
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 08:34 PM

Shambles,

I still don't get it - what is the reaction about?

Rose

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Bri
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 06:25 PM

Nielen, I happen to LIKE James Taylor and I have gotten quite a few songs in tabulature in the past, but I have lost the site...I'll look for it and get back to you..bye! Bri:o)

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 02:48 PM

rosebrook

I'm sorry, I meant if the singer-songwriter referred to was female and under the age of 50.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Rosebrook
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 02:38 PM

As a female person under the age of 50 who has used the term "singer/songwriter", I don't understand the negative connotation.

When I use the term, I'm referring to someone who writes original music and performs it.

What am I missing?

Rose

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: campfire
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 02:26 PM

I'm with you, Shambles and Mark/Bark. James Taylor may not be one of my favorites, but I listen to him sometimes and I certainly wouldn't slam the guy or anyone who wanted to learn one of his songs. It does seem that "singer/songwriter" is sometimes a bad word around here - I don't get it. But then, they guy I used to date, who was a rather prominent singer/songwriter himself, didn't like to listen to any OTHER s/s's. I never could figure that one out, either.

campfire (leaning with the s/s crowd)

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: John Hindsill
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 11:58 AM

Am I jealous or envious of James Taylor? I think not! True I neither sing or play, nor do I pretend to...in that respect I am perhaps more honest than he.

To recap my thoughts, earlier stated on a thread i started about the Biggest Waste of Vinyl...etc.
1) He turned a great R&B song, Handyman, into a funeral dirge
2) He turned a great Sam Cooke song into a funeral dirge
3) His vocal range is...what vocal range?

He has his following, and apparently is very successful. Sei Gesundt!

John

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 07:29 AM

It is an easy target for some here. Unfortunately for someone to take a swipe at anyone who tries to produce something original is a faily regular thing. Just useing the term singer-songwrter is usually enough to provoke this response and if that person is female and under the age of 50, it is even worse.

It is very tiresome.

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 06 Jun 99 - 03:25 AM

Ever since I've joined this site, I've read anti-James Taylor postings. Why? I haven't heard any of his new stuff, but I liked what he did on his first album or two; both his writing and his singing. And his guitar playing.

His brother Livingston's first album was also exceptional, although I haven't heard anything newer than that.

The other brother, Alexis, was more electrified. I think he may have died. Anyone know?

And the sister, Kate...I've never heard her music. Pretty musical family though.

But I can't figure what James Taylor seems so disliked on the 'Cat. Is it simply jealousy? Or is he too commercial? Like I said, I haven't heard the new stuff -- is that what isn't liked? Fill me in, here, ok?

Bark Woof

Subject: RE: James Taylor
From: John Hindsill
Date: 05 Jun 99 - 05:28 PM

WHY?

Subject: James Taylor
From: Nielen
Date: 05 Jun 99 - 03:31 PM

Does anyone know a good link for guitar tabulature to James Taylors music...?

Nielen