![]() Records were either Gold or Platinum, confirming him as one of the key players in the 1970s thanks to Sweet Baby James and Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. Ironically, moving back to America Taylor hit a purple streak and five of his six albums for Warner Bros. ![]() All three bear the stamp of publicist and hype-master extraordinaire Derek Taylor (no relation) the esteemed press officer at Apple Corps’ Baker Street HQ.ĭespite the big build-up, his debut album was a critical favourite, but a commercial flop. The leadoff single, ‘Carolina In My Mind’ (Apple 32) was trailed on a Fresh From Apple leaflet: ‘By special demand A Rush release on Apple’. One advert for the album featured a smiling hippy chick under the slogan ‘I’m looking forward to November 15th when I get James Taylor’s new LP’ (she must have got it a week before everyone else). At the start of his career, when Apple A&R man cum talent scout Peter Asher – brother of Paul McCartney’s then-girlfriend Jane Asher – pulled out the young American’s demonstration tape and signed him to the label, that concept was an anachronism.Īpple thought sufficiently highly of their just turned 20-year old that they allowed him to become the first non-British artist to record for them and he was given studio time at Trident in Soho during off-peak moments when the big boys were also around, notably finalising “Hey Jude”, “Dear Prudence”, “Honey Pie”, “Savoy Truffle” and “Martha My Dear” for The Beatles double (aka ‘The White Album’) that was released precisely two weeks before the self-titled James Taylor came out in a stunning gatefold sleeve depicting JT in a rough wool suit, sporting braces and a paisley tie and a pair of totally shot work boots. Along with his great friend Carole King – his cover of her song “You’ve Got a Friend” is iconic – and one-time wife Carly Simon, Taylor established the bed-sit folk-blues. The song became the title track for Knopfler’s sophomore solo release and appeared on Taylor’s 2002 October Road.The American singer-songwriter James Taylor has been making beautiful music across six decades. In 2000, James Taylor and Mark Knopfler recorded a duet together called ‘Sailing to Philadelphia’. In December of 2016 Taylor received the Kennedy Center Honors, which are presented annually to individuals who have enriched American culture by distinguished achievement in the performing arts. Both medals are their Nation’s highest honors for artistic excellence recognizing “outstanding achievements and support of the arts.” In November 2015, Taylor was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2012, he was awarded the distinguished Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government and in 2011, was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. In 2011, Taylor was honored with a Carnegie Hall Perspectives series, which consisted of four concert evenings presented by Carnegie Hall and featuring Taylor and personally selected musical guests. In a career marked by artistic triumphs, the past few years for Taylor have been notable for both creative virtuosity and recognition of exceptional achievement. Recorded at his home studio TheBarn, in Washington, MA, Before This World explores many of the themes that have absorbed Taylor throughout his career. In the summer of 2015 Taylor released Before This World, his first new studio album in thirteen years, which earned him his first ever #1 album on the Billboard Charts and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. His songs have had a profound influence on songwriters and music lovers from all walks of life: “Fire and Rain,” “Country Road,” “Something in the Way She Moves,” “Mexico,” “Shower the People,” “Your Smiling Face,” “Carolina In My Mind,” “Sweet Baby James,” “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” “You Can Close Your Eyes,” “Walking Man,” “Never Die Young,” “Shed a Little Light,” “Copperline,” “Enough to be On Your Way,” “Caroline I See You,” and many more. He has sold over 100 million albums throughout his career and has earned 40 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, multiple Grammy Awards and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame. ![]() ![]() Over four decades later his warm baritone, introspective lyrics and unique guitar playing still blaze a path to which young musicians aspire. In 1971, Taylor was on the cover of Time magazine, heralded as the harbinger of the singer-songwriter era. He is a master at describing specific, even autobiographical situations in a way that resonates with people everywhere. James Taylor’s music embodies the art of songwriting in its most personal and universal forms.
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