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28 Nov 07 - 11:15 AM (#2203906) Subject: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Many times, at this forum, I have expressed profound disdain for James Taylor as a singer. Well, I finally have heard a JT song that was enjoyable, 'Baby It's Cold Outside' a Frank Loesser standard duetted with Natalie Cole. His voice is actually expressive! The only other Taylor song I've enjoyed was his duet, 'Mockingbird,' with then spouse, Carly Simon. Maybe I'm on to something, here; James Taylor should sing only duets. |
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28 Nov 07 - 11:26 AM (#2203917) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Beer And maybe your completely wrong. Beer (adrien) |
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28 Nov 07 - 12:05 PM (#2203948) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 The problem is that when he sings his own songs they ALL sound like "Fire and Rain." John.......If the feeling continues, remember that all 'Catters are treated free of charge at the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed and that of course includes all services of the James Taylor Catatonic Blandness Rehab Clinic in the new wing. Let us know........... Spaw |
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28 Nov 07 - 01:10 PM (#2203995) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Les in Chorlton I really like his voice |
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28 Nov 07 - 01:22 PM (#2204010) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk "Southern California brings me downnnnn....." (sing nasally, and with feeling) |
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28 Nov 07 - 01:44 PM (#2204024) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: open mike shower the people you love with love,,,,, tell them the way that you feel.. (this song was one from James Taylor) both he http://www.jamestaylor.com/ and his brother Livingston http://www.livtaylor.com/ were born in Boston and grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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28 Nov 07 - 01:59 PM (#2204039) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Rog Peek I enjoy listening to James Taylor, even when he's singing on his own. Having said that, one of my favourites is "Sailing to Philadelphia", a duet with Mark Knopfler on Mark's album by the same name. Rog |
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28 Nov 07 - 02:34 PM (#2204060) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Geordie-Peorgie Aah'm not even ganna grace this thread with a response! |
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28 Nov 07 - 03:01 PM (#2204092) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Wesley S His newest recording "One Man Band" is a solo record - just James and his guitar. |
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28 Nov 07 - 04:27 PM (#2204167) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Jack Campin I was in Pittsburgh when James Taylor's "Mexico" came out. I had a James Taylor fan for a flatmate. He played the bloody thing several times a day. I retaliated with Shostakovich symphonies, Elliott Carter chamber music and Patti Smith. The British version of "Mexico": Long ago Outside a chipshop in Walthamstow... Is there any more? |
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28 Nov 07 - 04:30 PM (#2204170) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Beer, do you mean he shouldn't even sing duets? You're even harsher than I am. |
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28 Nov 07 - 04:57 PM (#2204193) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Bee-dubya-ell James Taylor and I have a lot in common. I like James's guitar playing but barely tolerate his singing. I also like my own guitar playing and barely tolerate my singing. |
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28 Nov 07 - 05:01 PM (#2204195) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Big Al Whittle I think James Taylor is wonderful. |
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28 Nov 07 - 05:11 PM (#2204202) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: GUEST,Dani How could a person not like "Sweet Potato Pie"?! Some of his stuff was SO overplayed that I cannot listen to it ever again, but he is very well-rounded, and a live show is a REAL treat. I think his voice is lovely, and does indeed lend itself to harmonizing with others... including me! Dani |
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28 Nov 07 - 05:15 PM (#2204208) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Beer Lol John. Good come back. I just finished watching him on You Tube with his "X" doing mockingbird. Great clip. |
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28 Nov 07 - 06:23 PM (#2204254) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: PoppaGator I saw JT on the Today show a week or two ago, promoting his "One Man Band" tour with a live morning performance in Rockefeller Center. He was not performing solo: he had one accompanyist (on keyboard) and told the interviewer, "He's my One Man Band." Besides the two musicians, there was a large and complicated contraption that generated some kind of automated percussion ~ not an electronic drum machine, but some kind of fanciful mechanical gizmo with a certain weird/quaint visual appeal. (Somthing that my parents would have called a "Rube Goldberg machine.") The keyboard player and the big funnylooking machine will be on stage for the upcoming tour. One of the numbers he did was especially unusual and seemingly out-of-character: he spoke/sung a kind-of rap/hip-hop style lyric through a megaphone (or, more precisely, through a battery-powered bullhorn). Very unexpected, pretty interesting, less-than-compelling musically ~ but good entertainment. One such selection in the context of an entire evening's concert would be a welcome change of pace, but more than one would be a mistake; I trust that he won't be overdoing this gimmick... I really liked James Taylor when he first appeared on the scene, gradually got tired of his act over the years, and have come full circle to respect and enjoy him again now that we're all a little older. He really does have a great voice, and it has held up remarkably well for many years. |
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28 Nov 07 - 07:22 PM (#2204295) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk I think he's a pretty good live performer, and a pretty good songwriter. Yes, some of his material does verge a bit on the "bland" side from time to time, but he has a very nice touch for all that. |
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28 Nov 07 - 10:08 PM (#2204381) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Beer Hay John! O.K. you don't care for him as a singer. What is your opinion of him as a writer? |
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29 Nov 07 - 12:12 AM (#2204429) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Honestly, as I don't care for him as a singer, I don't know his lyrics...haven't listened enough, probably never will. |
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29 Nov 07 - 01:41 AM (#2204440) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Slag Man I KNEW I liked this site. I never knew, never guessed that other felt the same way I did about James Taylor! "All you got to do is crawl...." What an awful vapid voice! I can't say enough bad about it but to listen to PBS and certain radio stations you'd think he was Gabriel annnouncing the Second Coming. Thank you! Thank you. Thank you. |
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29 Nov 07 - 02:06 AM (#2204445) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 Geeziz.....I think John otSC may well get by without treatment and Slag is a man with his head on straight!
But I can see the James Taylor Catatonic Blandness Rehab Clinic will be having an influx of new patients soon. Some of you even need crisis intervention. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Others have been helped......YOU can be a survivor too. Call the NYCFTTS Insanevac Lifeflight chopper @ 1-800-SCREWED...........DO IT NOW! |
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29 Nov 07 - 04:58 AM (#2204495) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Leadfingers The old saying "Different Strokes for Different Folks" sprang to mind as soon as I saw this thread . |
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29 Nov 07 - 06:22 AM (#2204513) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Green Man I like JT's work, he is a great songwriter. Anyone here made as much money as him? There are obviously people out there that do like his work. |
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29 Nov 07 - 06:42 AM (#2204518) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Slag Yes and McDonald's has served billions! It doesn't necessarily make it good. The bell-shaped curve has a very broad middle. |
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29 Nov 07 - 06:51 AM (#2204522) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 I haven't made as much money as George Bush either and he's been elected (P)resident twice so someone must like his work too. So what? Just exactly what is this caste system you got set up here Man? They're just jokes......Try to relax........... Spaw |
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29 Nov 07 - 08:24 AM (#2204572) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: muppitz One of the albums I grew up listening to was James Taylor's Greatest Hits and I have never tired of listening to him. My teenage sisters also feel the same way, as Leadfingers said, different strokes....... muppitz x |
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29 Nov 07 - 08:34 AM (#2204575) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 JT has a sort of slow stroke count though. They say its the result of treatment for certain premature problems he once suffered. He had just written "Fire and Rain" and part of his therapy was to write 82 other songs which had different words and tunes and yet still sounded amazingly like "Fire and Rain." Spaw |
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29 Nov 07 - 08:40 AM (#2204578) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Beer I suggest that when you all have time go to his wed site and read the first and last paragraph of his biography. |
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29 Nov 07 - 10:02 AM (#2204643) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast wed site? I am not marrying James Taylor!!!!!! |
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29 Nov 07 - 10:12 AM (#2204655) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Big Al Whittle I think you're all crazy. he's one of the greats. Even if he were just a singer guitarist, he would be amazing. His readings of songs like Handyman and Up on the Roof are fabulous re-inventions of the songs. the interplay of acoustic guitar and voice is expemplary. Would that English guitarists even had access to studios capable of recording a guitar so well. The songwriting of later years is very different from the early stuff. I'm not a completist in the same way that I am with ralph McTell, but the high points of james taylors career are stunning. The first time I heard Fire and Rain was about 1970, I heard Roger Whittaker sing it on his radio programme one morning. Even now I can recall the impact it had on me. Sweet Baby James was one of the first albums I bought, when I got a job about a year later and could afford a record player. the song had stayed in my mind unbidden that long. |
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29 Nov 07 - 11:41 AM (#2204742) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Wee, wrong about Handyman etc. Sings them like funeral dirges. Probably the reason I've not listened to his other material much. |
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29 Nov 07 - 12:47 PM (#2204783) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: M.Ted No one has to like anything, but it is a mistake to underestimate talent and achievement, simply because an artist's work isn't interesting to you. Not a lot of artists have had JT's staying power--and that says more than anything else about how good an artist is. WLD is right, but not completely right: it's not the studio that makes the guitar sound good. |
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29 Nov 07 - 12:59 PM (#2204789) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 I think the reason they come out like funeral dirges is as JT has gotten older he looks like a mortician............I mean, I went to his web site like Beer asked and was thinking that he probably had a day job as either an undertaker or an insurance agent. Ya' gotta' admit he looks the part. Surprisingly no one has mentioned JT as an actor. No two ways about it, when you've seen Taylor in "Two Lane Blacktop," you've really seen something. No one knows what but gawd knows it sure is something. WLD, perhaps you'd like one of the suites available at the Rehab Clinic. I think the Arthur Godfrey Memorial Suite is vacant at the moment. Spaw |
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29 Nov 07 - 01:32 PM (#2204812) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: PoppaGator I neither love nor hate Mr. Taylor as much as so many others here. His talent and ~ especially ~ his staying power are quite admirable. I can't deny that he has a tendency to make everything he does sound and feel about the same as everything else he does; but I can't deny that he produces a pretty excellent sound and feel! I think he's trying to branch out and deliver a more varied repertoire. That strange rap-though-a-megaphone number he performed on national TV one morning last week represented such an effort. Count me among those who find JT's slowed-down reworkings of "Handy Man" and "Up on the Roof" to be far less appealing than the livlier originals. When I was a kid, that wildly manic falsetto "come-a-come-a-come-a" refrain of "Handyman" was a real revelation, and I've loved that recording ever since. (Anyone remember the artist's name? Jimmy Jones or something like that? I think he came out with a much-too-similar follow-up record and then faded back into obscurity.) James Taylor's toned-way-down version was certainly interesting to hear ~ once ~ but hardly qualifies as an improvement upon the original, nor even (to my mind) as an equally-valid reinterpretation. And the Coasters, of course, are even harder to improve upon. "Up On The Roof" is a great song, and fun to sing; I enjoy doing it myself. But then, I'm not trying to sell a record of my (solo vocal/no harmony) cover version. On the other hand, I do kinda like JT's recording of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)." It's not that much different from Marvin Gaye's original, but that's a good thing; it's a good vehicle for Taylor's voice and personality and stands up well enough next to Marvin's recording as an alternative take on the song. (Another reason I'm judging JT's cover of this song so leniently may be that I am pleased to have found some really good chords for it in a friend's James Taylor songbook...) |
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29 Nov 07 - 01:33 PM (#2204814) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: GUEST,Puck I like James Taylor's 'Fire and Rain; Sweet Baby James; Mocking Bird; You Gotta Friend'; and a few others. I do,however, find his voice lacks expression, and I can relate to certain of the comments above, as I have found his later stuff veering towards a jazz/modern soul influence, which, for me has the kiss of death about it as regards enjoyment of the melody and rhythym. It makes for an unpleasant overcomplication of the main musical theme, with no other obvious reason than to show off the prowess of the player or singer. It is similar to, but nowhere near as vulgar as, some modern day soul singers,listening to whom make me want to VOMIT!! Pee |
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29 Nov 07 - 02:28 PM (#2204866) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: lefthanded guitar He wrote a few catchy tunes about 30 + years ago that I can entirely live without 30+ years hence; not bad guitar playing; the remakes he did- like the classic Mockingbird - sound like Pat Boone trying to remake Otis Redding. Blander than mayo on white bread. And why can't he pronounce the word: 'the'? I like the idea about having him do duets tho - as long as he doesn't sing. |
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29 Nov 07 - 02:39 PM (#2204879) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: open mike that mechanical drum and bull horn number is called Slap Leather and is on his web site at the One man Band link. |
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29 Nov 07 - 04:07 PM (#2204988) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Slag Ok. Let's put Taylor, Boone (of the Pat persuasion) and Manilow in a blender... taro! Tapioca! Cod liver oil! Odd thing is they all manage to hang around the correct key. That's kind of weird because none of it sounds like music! On a more serious note (A minor) I suppose it's true: In matters of taste and beauty, there is no argument. |
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29 Nov 07 - 04:53 PM (#2205028) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk Har! Har! (snort) By God, this subject always seems to bring out the vicious side in certain people... Well, Spaw...Slag...I hate to tell you this, guys, but James Taylor privately says stuff about you two sorry f*ckers that simply can't even be printed on this site. Yup, it's that bad. It's not bland at all! I'm certainly not going to repeat any of it here. He goes on and on about you guys. He vilifies your every facet and personal characteristic. He considers you both to be lower than dog crap. You should hear the stuff he says about you. It would curl your hair. He's not nearly as kind as Mr Shatner when it comes to that...but Shatner is known for having a compassionate side and overlooking slights from those less gifted than himself. James Taylor is less forgiving, it seems. |
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29 Nov 07 - 05:24 PM (#2205054) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Slag Well Geee Whizz LH! I'm sure glad YOU don't share any of the ferocious Mr. Taylor's feelings! I kinda thought that, apart from his caterwauling, he was a pretty nice, thoughtful sort of person! I'm glad you set me straight about him. |
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29 Nov 07 - 07:13 PM (#2205131) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 "Shatner is known for having a compassionate side and overlooking slights from those less gifted than himself." Well shitfire Hawk.....What's the big deal about that? Geeziz Man, there ain't nary a soul less gifted than Shatner so of course he's magnanimous. Also I know you're bull shittin' about JT. I don't think JT would do that since he's probably busy trying to sell somebody a prepaid send-off. Spaw |
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30 Nov 07 - 12:24 AM (#2205279) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Well, I don't care what anyone says about James Taylor--even me--but I still think 'Baby It's Cold Outside' is pretty good. That's all I believe of him. |
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30 Nov 07 - 01:43 AM (#2205296) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk The real tragedy is that Shatner and James Taylor have never collaborated and done an album together. I can't figure it. It would be incredible. |
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30 Nov 07 - 03:20 AM (#2205319) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 Yeah.....I can see it now. They can call it Blah on Bland. Can you imagine what a great cover they could do on "Space Oddity?" Spaw |
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30 Nov 07 - 08:12 AM (#2205431) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: GUEST,Tunesmith There are certain singers who would appear to tick all the right boxes for what I require in an artist BUT, for some reason, still haven't caught my attention fully. I bought "Sweet Baby James" when it came out and I thought it contained some superior singing/songwriting. I bought the follow-up album "Mudslide Slim", which disappointed me somewhat, and I haven't bought another James Taylor album since. Indeed, I only have the entire recording catalogue of one artist: Jackson Browne. |
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30 Nov 07 - 10:48 AM (#2205526) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Unbeknownst to me, Carole King and James Taylor, concerted at the Troubadour (40 years ago the premier folk venue) in Los Angeles (thats the OTSC in my handle) on Wednesday night. This morning's review in the 'LA Times Calendar' section is positively glowing, as were cited audience comments. Perhaps I will seek out copies of some Taylor songs and re-listen to them. None will be R&B redos, just his original stuff. I don't promise to like them, but I will try some. JohnOTSC (w/ a smidge of humble pie in his throat) |
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30 Nov 07 - 02:03 PM (#2205680) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: lefthanded guitar Too late smarty pants hawkmeister. My hair's already curly. btw, the Shatman can outsing James. |
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30 Nov 07 - 06:13 PM (#2205846) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk Well, the Shatman is pretty well unmatched in everything he does, isn't he? ;-) I hadn't actually gotten around to what JT says about YOU, lefthanded guitar. It's even worse. He turns white with fury when your name comes up and utters a string of curses that would reduce Blackbeard the Pirate to stunned silence. He has a picture of you on the barn wall at his country place and he uses it for target practice. He has burned you in effigy in his backyard. I know for a fact that he would be willing to walk 500 miles just for the chance to be the first to pee on your gravestone. |
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30 Nov 07 - 06:46 PM (#2205876) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 Hawkster, this anger and aggression you see from JT is the result of the work done at the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed which precipitated Taylor's generous gift to build the new wing which houses the James Taylor Catatonic Blandness Rehab Clinic. Dr. Cojones, medical director, at first thought Taylor was beyond help but massive electro-shocks coupled with Dopamine in huge doses set James on the path to simple blandness without being catatonic. Sadly, he occasionally goes batshit as you have witnessed. This happens when he overdoses on the Dopamine combined with a night of Thai food. It isn't so much that the overdose screws him up but he gets the flaming projectile shits from the Pad Thai and Me Grob, a sort of fire and rain combination shootin' out his ass. JOHN otSC.........I fear you may have regressed a bit. We'll hold the Arthur Godfrey Suite open should you decide that therapy might be useful. Or would you prefer the even blander Gordon Bok Primitive Roomette? Spaw |
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30 Nov 07 - 07:00 PM (#2205880) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: John on the Sunset Coast Who is arthur godfrey and what makes him so sweet? I don't think Julius La Rosa agrees he's sweet. Just funnin'. |
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30 Nov 07 - 07:22 PM (#2205886) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Slag Well Spaw, you've certainly dated yourself. Godfrey, the original insipid talk-show host, among other talents (didn't he used to try to sing? I mean, you know, between binges?)! If only Taylor smoked a hookah and could enunciate "A,E,I,O & U" with as much enthusiasm and tonal quality as the original Disney animation, why, with Carly's Cheshire smile.... New albumin! The Queen of Hearts! A little flat, you might say but certainly something to be dealt with! |
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30 Nov 07 - 09:35 PM (#2205970) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk You guys are just jealous, because Carly Simon has never shown even a flicker of interest in any of you and she never would. You don't fool me. And, Spaw, at least spell the good doctor's name right! It's "Doctor Cojones". Porfirio Estancia De Los Gran Cojones. He was kicked out of the famed Pinche Cabron Clinic in Mexico City for his unorthodox procedures, but happily he found a new home at the NYCFTTS and the JTCFCB or whatever the hell the acronym is. |
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01 Dec 07 - 01:09 PM (#2206345) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: catspaw49 Ah get real Hawk.......Who the hell would want Carly Simon? She looks like Mick Jagger in drag. Actually, she looks more like Mick Jagger than Mick does himself. Funny how that works......Like how Winona Ryder is a bad looking copy with shorter hair of the lead singer for Crash Test Dummies. Spaw |
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01 Dec 07 - 03:19 PM (#2206415) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: Little Hawk I have known some sick bastards, Spaw, but none of them could hold a candle to you! ;-) And they wouldn't want to either. It might cause the biggest explosion since the great Halifax disaster. The Great Halifax Explosion The main problem with Mick Jagger is that he isn't Carly Simon. If he was, he'd be 100% better and more delectable in every way. Same goes for what's-his-name and Winona Ryder, only more so. |
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01 Dec 07 - 07:25 PM (#2206527) Subject: RE: James Taylor convert? From: GUEST,Dani Wow, just goes to show you, eh? I went to the website and was reminded of all the wonderful lyrics he's written that we DON'T get to hear on the radio, and how lovely his voice is... to me, anyway! Mortician?! I think he looks like a real man who's lived a little, and has some stories to tell. I am horribly paraphrasing here, but someone (Muhammad Ali?) said that if a man doesn't see the world differently at 50 than he did at 20, he's wasted 30 years. Dani |