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- Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!swrinde!gatech!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!garnet.acns.fsu.edu!jrisberg
- From: jrisberg@garnet.acns.fsu.edu (Joel David Risberg)
- Newsgroups: alt.music.james-taylor,rec.music.info,alt.answers,news.answers
- Subject: FAQ: alt.music.james-taylor
- Followup-To: alt.music.james-taylor
- Date: 22 Mar 1994 23:45:50 GMT
- Organization: Florida State University
- Lines: 1331
- Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
- Message-ID: <2mnvve$521@mailer.fsu.edu>
- NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.acns.fsu.edu
- Summary: This document is a compilation of info about singer James Taylor
- Keywords: FAQ JT Taylor
- Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu alt.music.james-taylor:463 rec.music.info:2942 alt.answers:2190 news.answers:16765
-
- Archive-name: music/james-taylor
- Last-modified: 1994/3/17
- Version: 2.21
-
-
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for alt.music.james-taylor
- Version 2.21
- March 17, 1994
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-
-
- C O N T E N T S:
-
- 1.0 INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Overview
- 1.2 New Since the Last Major Revision
- 2.0 WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION
- 2.1 This FAQ
- 2.2 Lyrics Text Files
- 2.3 JT World Wide Web Page
- 2.4 JT FTP Site
- 3.0 BIOGRAPHY/CHRONOLOGY
- 4.0 WORKS
- 4.1 Albums
- 4.1.1 U.S. Albums
- 4.1.2 Non-U.S. Albums
- 4.2 Singles
- 4.3 Work On Other Albums
- 4.3.1 Solos
- 4.3.2 Duets, Trios, and Backup
- 4.3.3 Other Compositions
- 4.4 Videos
- 4.4.1 Concert Videos
- 4.4.2 Single-Song Music Videos
- 4.4.3 Appearances In Other Videos
- 4.5 Bootlegs
- 5.0 APPEARANCES
- 5.1 "Saturday Night Live"
- 5.2 "Sesame Street"
- 5.3 Concerts on PBS
- 5.4 Radio
- 5.5 Major Live Performances
- 5.6 "The Simpsons"
- 6.0 TOUR INFORMATION
- 7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
- 7.1 Biographies
- 7.2 Major Articles/Interviews
- 7.3 Sheet Music and Music Books
- 8.0 TIDBITS
- 8.1 "Fire and Rain"
- 8.2 The Rock In Rio concerts
- 8.3 "Sweet Baby James"
- 8.4 "Mona"
- 8.5 "Suite for 20G"
- 8.6 Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"
- 8.7 "Mexico"
- 8.9 JT/Carly Simon breakup
- 9.0 RELATED ARTISTS
- 9.1 JT's Siblings
- 9.1.1 Alex
- 9.1.2 Livingston
- 9.1.3 Kate
- 9.1.4 Hugh
- 9.2 JT Alumni
- 9.2.1 Carly Simon
- 9.2.2 Carole King
- 9.2.3 Others
- 10.0 POINTERS
- 10.1 Where To Find JT's Albums
- 10.2 Fan Mail
- 11.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
-
-
- _________________________________________________________________________
-
-
- 1.0 I N T R O D U C T I O N
-
- 1.1 Overview
-
- This FAQ is an attempt to compile some useful information about James Taylor
- and his music. This FAQ is constantly being expanded, so you'll notice some
- holes. If you can fill in some of the missing information, please send it
- along to the address below. Also, if you find any errors, please let me
- know so I can correct it.
-
- Enjoy.
-
- -= Joel Risberg =-= jrisberg@garnet.acns.fsu.edu =-
-
-
- 1.2 New Since the Last Major Revision
-
- Section: Description:
- 5.3 - Added song lists for two videos and an "Evening at Pops" concert.
- 7.3 - Added info about JT's first music book.
- 8.0 - Added Tidbits entries for "Fire and Rain" and "Mexico."
- 3.0 - We now know JT's mother's name was Gertrude and can all rest easier.
- 3.0 - Fixed release date of "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine."
- 4.3.2 - Added JT's "Gonna Work Out Fine" duet with Linda Ronstadt
- 9.0 - Added reference numbers for several non-JT albums
- 4.1.2 - Added info on Australian version of "Classic Songs" compilation
- 5.6 - Added info on JT's appearance on "The Simpsons"
- 3.0 - Fixed date of 1985 Rock In Rio concert and subsequent "Live in Rio" album
- 3.0 - Added info on second marriage to Kathryn Walker
- 4.3.1 - Added info on "For Our Children" benefit album
- 5.2 - Added info on "Sing Yourself Silly" Sesame Street album
- 9.2.3 - Added Rosemary Butler to list of JT alumni
- 8.9 - Added Tidbit about JT/Carly breakup
- 3.0 - Many additions to biography
- 2.3 - Added pointer to JT World Wide Web Page
- 4.3.2 - Added JT's backup for George Jones on "Bartender's Blues"
- 4.3.2 - Added JT's duet with Carly Simon on "Devoted To You"
- 2.4 - Added reference to FTP site
-
-
-
- 2.0 W H E R E T O G E T M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N
-
- 2.1 This FAQ
-
- You can always find the most recent FAQ at rtfm.mit.edu in the directory
- pub/usenet/alt.music.james-taylor
-
-
- 2.2 Lyrics Text Files
-
- FTP to ftp.uwp.edu and look in pub/music/artists/taylor.james
-
-
- 2.3 JT World Wide Web Page
-
- Users with access to a World Wide Web browser such as Mosaic or Lynx can
- connect to the JT WWW Home Page for the current FAQ, archive of articles on
- the newsgroup, lyrics files, GIFs, and sound samples. The URL is:
-
- http://garnet.acns.fsu/~jrisberg/JT.html
-
-
- 2.4 JT FTP Site
-
- The current FAQ, graphics files, lyrics, and the amj-t newsgroup archive can
- all be found at the JT FTP site. Be sure to use binary mode for the graphics.
-
- ftp.vcu.edu in pub/misc/music/JT
-
- The URL is:
-
- ftp://ftp.vcu.edu/pub/misc/music/JT
-
-
-
- 3.0 B I O G R A P H Y / C H R O N O L O G Y
-
- James Vernon Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 12, 1948
- His mother's name is Gertrude. His father's is Issac.
- Brothers: Alex (1947-1992), Livingston (born 1950), and Hugh (b. 1952?)
- Sister: Kate (b. 1949)
- All the siblings have recorded albums.
- JT studied cello before giving it up for the guitar.
-
- 1952 - Family moves to Chapel Hill, NC
- - His father, Dr. Issac Taylor, was the dean of the University of North
- Carolina-Chapel Hill medical school.
-
- 1953 - JT begins attending Milton Academy outside Boston, but leaves during
- his junior year.
-
- 1963 - JT meets Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar on Martha's Vineyard.
- - JT and Kootch win a hootenanny contest.
- - JT and Kootch played folk gigs locally.
-
- 1964 - JT joins a band, The Fabulous Corsairs, with brother Alex
-
- 1965 - Moves to to New York City
- - 17-year-old JT spends ten months in McLean Psychiatric Hospital in
- Massachusetts as a result of depression. His song "Knocking 'Round
- the Zoo" was inspired by his stay there
-
- 1966 - Kootch and Joel O' Brien join JT to form The Flying Machine
- - Release one single: "Night Owl" / "Brighten Your Night With My Day"
- - The Flying Machine makes studio recordings. Songs weren't released
- until until 1970 under the title "James Taylor and the Original
- Flying Machine."
-
- 1967 - The Flying Machine breaks up
-
- 1968 - Began using heroin
- Probably stopped by the early 1980s
- - Went to London and recorded demos. Auditions them for record companies.
- - Introduced to Paul McCartney by Peter Asher and signed to the Beatles'
- record label, Apple Records.
- - JT was the first outside artist signed to that label.
- - "James Taylor" released in U.K. with little commercial success
-
- 1969 - Returns to U.S.
- - Enters Austin Riggs, another mental hospital in Massachusetts, partly
- due to his heroin addiction
- - "James Taylor" released in U.S.
- - Two singles, "Carolina In My Mind / Taking It In" and "Something's
- Wrong" released.
- - JT debuts at The Troubadour in Los Angeles.
- - Breaks both his hands in a motorcycle accident and is forced to stop
- playing for several months.
- - Signed to Warner Brothers label and moves to California with Asher.
-
- 1970 - "Sweet Baby James" released on Warner Brothers label.
- - Album went to number one and was a best-seller for two years.
- - Performs with Joni Mitchell on BBC radio show. Recordings of the show
- are often bootlegged under the titles "In Perfect Harmony" or "You Can
- Close Your Eyes."
- - "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine" released.
-
- 1971 - JT on the cover of _Time Magazine_, touted as originator of the
- "singer/songwriter era" (March 1 issue date).
- - Appears in film "Two Lane Blacktop", a film "only a whitewall could
- love," according to one critic
- - "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" released.
- - Plays to sold-out audiences in 27-city tour
-
- 1972 - Wins Grammy, "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male" for "You've Got A
- Friend." Song also earns Carole King the "Song of the Year" Grammy.
- - Marries Carly Simon -- son Ben and daughter Sarah from that marriage.
- Sarah is the subject of his song "Sarah Maria."
- - "One Man Dog" released
-
- 1974 - "Walking Man" released
- - "Mockingbird" duet with C. Simon released as a single (million-seller)
- and on Simon's "Hotcakes" album.
-
- 1975 - "Gorilla" released
-
- 1976 - "In the Pocket" released
- - "Greatest Hits" released (goes platinum)
- - Leaves Warner Brothers for Columbia Records
-
- 1977 - "JT" released on CBS label (goes platinum)
- - Produces and performs for Kate Taylor's single "It's In His Kiss."
-
- 1978 - Wins "Best Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy for "Handyman."
- - Peter Asher wins "Producer of the Year" Grammy
- - JT produces and performs on Kate Taylor's self-title album.
-
- 1979 - Wrote "Millworker," "Brother Trucker," and a the music for a third song
- for the Broadway musical "Working."
- - "Flag" released. Included recordings of "Millworker" and "Brother
- Trucker."
- - Performed at a series of 5 antinuclear concerts called "MUSE/No Nukes".
- See section 5.5 for more information.
-
- 1981 - "In Harmony" Sesame Street album wins "Best Children's Recording"
- Grammy.
- - "Dad Loves His Work" released
- - Live performance at Fox Theater in Atlanta broadcast nationally on
- radio.
- - Plays role of truck driver in PBS TV production of "Working."
- - Month-long tour of Far East with shows in ten cities.
-
- 1982 - Divorces Carly Simon
-
- 1985 - Performs at Rock in Rio concert in Brazil
- Song "Only a Dream In Rio" inspired by this visit
- - "That's Why I'm Here" released
- - "Live In Rio" released by Columbia Brasil
- - Performs at first Moscow Rock festival. Highlights shown on Showtime
- cable network.
- - Second marriage to Kathryn Walker in New York City.
- - Plays five Italian cities in 2-week tour.
-
- 1986 - Two-week tour of Australia.
- - Five-week tour of Europe.
- - Two-week tour of Brazil.
-
- 1988 - "Never Die Young" released
- - Two-week Australian tour.
-
- 1991 - "James Taylor" re-released on tape and CD by EMI
- - "New Moon Shine" released
-
- 1993 - "James Taylor (LIVE)" released
-
-
-
-
- 4.0 W O R K S
-
- 4.1 Albums
-
- 4.1.1 U.S. Albums
-
- "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine" -- Recorded 1966-67, released
- 1970 - Euphoria
- Reference #: Z4RS-1335 (vinyl)
- Not available on CD
- Songs:
- Rainy Day Man
- Knocking 'Round the Zoo (lead vocal by JT)
- Something's Wrong
- Night Owl
- Brighten Your Night With My Day
- Kootch's Song (Danny Kortchmar)
- Knocking 'Round the Zoo (lead by Kortchmar)
-
-
- "James Taylor" -- 1968 - Apple Records
- Remastered and re-released on CD and tape by EMI Records in 1991
- Reference #: CDP 7975772 (U.S.) / SAPCOR3 (U.K.)
- Songs:
- Don't Talk Now
- Something's Wrong
- Knocking 'Round the Zoo
- Sunshine Sunshine
- Taking It In
- Something In the Way She Moves
- Carolina In My Mind
- Brighten Your Night With My Day
- Night Owl (later recorded by Carly Simon)
- Rainy Day Man
- Circle Round the Sun
- The Blues Is Just a Bad Dream
-
-
- "Sweet Baby James" -- 1970 - Warner Brothers Records
- Reference #: 1843-2
- Songs:
- Sweet Baby James
- Lo and Behold
- Sunny Skies
- Steamroller
- Country Road
- Oh, Susannah
- Fire and Rain
- Blossom
- Anywhere Like Heaven
- Oh Baby, Don't You Loose Your Lip On Me
- Suite For 20G
-
-
- "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" -- 1971 - Warner Bros.
- Reference #: W2 2561
- Songs:
- Love Has Brought Me Around
- You've Got A Friend
- Places In My Past
- Riding On A Railroad
- Soldiers
- Mud Slide Slim (with Carole King, Kate Taylor, et al.)
- Hey Mister, That's Me Up On The Jukebox
- You Can Close Your Eyes
- Machine Gun Kelly (with Peter Asher)
- Long Ago and Far Away
- Let Me Ride (with Kate Taylor)
- Highway Song
- Isn't It Nice To Be Home Again
-
-
- "One Man Dog" -- 1972 - Warner Brothers
- Reference #: WAR 25933
- Songs:
- One Man Parade (with Carole King, Abigale Haness, and Carly Simon)
- Nobody But You
- Chili Dog
- Fool For You
- Instrumental I
- New Tune
- Back On the Street Again
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Woh, Don't You Know (with Alex and Hugh Taylor)
- One Morning In May (with Linda Ronstadt)
- Instrumental II
- Someone
- Hymn
- Fanfare (with Abigail Haness and Carole King)
- Little David
- Mescalito (with Carole King and Abigail Haness)
- Dance
- Jig
-
-
- "Walking Man" -- 1974 - Warner Brothers
- Reference #: WAR 2794
- Songs:
- Walking Man
- Rock 'n' Roll Is Music Now (with Paul and Linda McCartney, Carly
- Simon, and Rick Marotta)
- Let It All Fall Down (with McCartneys and Simon)
- Me and My Guitar (with Peter Asher and Simon)
- Daddy's Baby (with Carly Simon)
- Ain't No Song (with Carly Simon and Asher)
- Hello, Old Friend
- Migration
- The Promised Land
- Fading Away
-
-
- "Gorilla" -- 1975 - Warner Bros.
- Reference #: 2866-2
- Songs:
- Mexico (with Graham Nash and David Crosby)
- Music
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - (with Carly Simon)
- Wandering
- Gorilla
- You Make It Easy
- I Was a Fool To Care
- Lighthouse (with Nash and Crosby)
- Angry Blues
- Love Songs
- Sarah Maria
-
-
- "In the Pocket" -- 1976 - Warner Bros.
- Reference #: 2912-2
- Songs:
- Shower the People (with Carly Simon)
- A Junkie's Lament (with Art Garfunkel)
- Money Machine
- Slow Burning Love
- Everybody Has the Blues
- Daddy's All Gone
- Woman's Gotta Have It
- Captain Jim's Drunken Dream (with Garfunkel)
- Don't Be Sad 'Cause Your Sun Is Down (with Stevie Wonder)
- Nothing Like a Hundred Miles (with David Crosby and Graham Nash)
- Family Man
- Golden Moments
-
-
- "Greatest Hits" - 1976 - Warner Brothers
- Reference #: WAR3113
- Songs:
- Something In the Way She Moves (re-recording since debut album)
- Fire and Rain
- Carolina In My Mind (re-recording)
- Country Road
- You've Got A Friend
- Shower the People
- Mexico
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Sweet Baby James
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- Walkin' Man
- Steamroller Blues (live version)
-
-
- "JT" -- 1977 - CBS Records
- Reference #: CK 34811
- Also available in a new edition on a 24K gold CD with 20-bit recording
- Reference #: CBS 53787
- Songs:
- Your Smiling Face (supposedly written for JT's friend Judy Collins)
- There We Are
- Honey Don't Leave L.A.
- Another Grey Morning
- Bartender's Blues (with Linda Ronstadt)
- Secret O' Life
- Handyman
- I Was Only Telling A Lie
- Looking For Love On Broadway
- Terra Nova (with Carly Simon)
- Traffic Jam
- If I Keep My Heart Out Of Sight
-
-
- "Flag" -- 1979 - CBS
- Reference #: CD 36058
- Songs:
- Company Man (with Graham Nash)
- Johnnie Comes Back
- Day Tripper
- I Will Not Lie For You
- Brother Trucker (with Alex Taylor)
- Is That the Way You Look?
- B. S. U. R. (with Carly Simon)
- Rainy Day Man
- Millworker
- Up On the Roof
- Chanson Francaise
- Sleep Come Free Me
-
-
- "Dad Loves His Work" -- 1981 - CBS
- Reference #: CBS 37009
- Songs:
- Hard Times (with David Lasley and Arnold McCuller)
- Her Town Too
- Hour That the Morning Comes
- I Will Follow (with Lasley and McCuller)
- Believe It Or Not
- Stand And Fight (with Lasley and McCuller)
- Only For Me (with Lasley and McCuller)
- Summer's Here
- Sugar Trade (co-written by Jimmy Buffett)
- London Town (with Lasley and McCuller)
- That Lonesome Road (with Peter Asher, Jim Gilstrap, Bernard Ighner,
- Lasley, McCuller, and Jennifer Warnes)
-
-
- "That's Why I'm Here" -- 1985 - CBS
- Reference #: CK 40052
- Songs:
- That's Why I'm Here
- Song For You Far Away
- Only A Dream In Rio
- Turn Away
- Going Around One More Time (written by Livingston Taylor)
- My Romance (only on CD version)
- Everyday
- Limousine Driver
- Only One (with Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, et al.)
- Mona
- The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (with Graham Nash)
- That's Why I'm Here (reprise)
-
-
- "Never Die Young" -- 1988 - CBS
- Reference #: CK 40851
- Songs:
- Never Die Young
- T-Bone
- Baby Boom Baby
- Runaway Boy
- Valentine's Day
- Sun On the Moon
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Home By Another Way
- Letter In the Mail
- First Of May
-
-
- "New Moon Shine" -- 1991 - Columbia
- Reference #: CK 46038
- Songs:
- Copperline
- Down In the Hole
- (I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' 'Bout That
- Shed a Little Light
- The Frozen Man
- Slap Leather
- Like Everyone She Knows
- One More Go Round
- Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha
- Native Son
- Oh Brother
- The Water Is Wide
-
-
- "James Taylor (LIVE)" -- 1993 - Columbia
- Reference #: C2K 47056
- Songs: (all new live versions recorded in concert)
- Disc 1:
- Sweet Baby James
- Traffic Jam
- Handy Man
- Your Smiling Face
- Secret O' Life
- Shed a Little Light
- Everybody Has the Blues
- Steamroller Blues
- Mexico
- Millworker
- Country Road
- Fire and Rain
- Shower the People
- How Sweet It Is
- New Hymn
-
- Disc 2:
- Walking Man
- Riding On A Railroad
- Something In the Way She Moves
- Sun On the Moon
- Up On the Roof
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- She Thinks I Still Care
- Copperline
- Slap Leather
- Only One
- You Make It Easy
- Carolina In My Mind
- I Will Follow
- You've Got A Friend
- That Lonesome Road
-
-
- 4.1.2 Non-U.S. Albums
-
- "Classic Songs" -- 1987 - CBS/WEA (Germany)
- Reference #: iMi10985 (Pastel colors with photo from "JT" album)
- Reference #: CBS 465643-2 (Australian version with a concert photo instead)
- Songs:
- Fire and Rain
- Mexico
- You've Got a Friend
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- Carolina In My Mind
- Something In the Way She Moves
- Shower the People
- Sweet Baby James
- That's Why I'm Here
- Everyday
- Up On the Roof
- Your Smiling Face
- Her Town Too
- Handyman
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Only a Dream In Rio
-
-
-
- "Best Classics" -- ? - ?
- Reference #: ?
- Songs:
- ?
-
-
- "Starbox" -- ? - Alex Imports (Greatest hits collection from Japan)
- Reference #: ALE 393
- Songs: (Note: no new material on this collection)
- ?
-
-
- "Live In Rio" -- 1985 - Columbia (Brasil)
- Reference #: 700.060
- Songs:
- Long Ago and Far Away
- Carolina In My Mind
- Up on the Roof
- You've Got A Friend
- Shower the People
- Fire and Rain
- Mexico
- Walking Man
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Knock on Wood
- How Sweet it Is
-
-
- 4.2 Singles
-
- Carolina In My Mind / Taking It In (3/69)
- Something's Wrong (7/69)
- Sweet Baby James / Suite For 20-G (4/70)
- Fire and Rain / Anywhere Like Heaven (8/70)
- Carolina In My Mind / Something's Wrong (11/70)
- Country Road / Sunny Skies (1/71)
- You've Got A Friend / You Can Close Your Eyes (5/71)
- Long Ago and Far Away / Let Me Ride (9/71)
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (10/72)
- One Man Parade / Hymn (2/73)
- Hymn / Fanfare (3/73)
- Daddy's Baby / Let It All Fall Down (7/74)
- Walkin' Man / Daddy's Baby (8/74)
- How Sweet It Is / Sarah Maria (5/75)
- Mexico / Gorilla (8/75)
- Shower the People / I Can Dream of You [written by Liv Taylor] (5/76)
- You Make It Easy / Woman's Got To Have It (10/76)
- Handy Man (4/77)
-
-
- 4.3 Work On Other Albums
-
- 4.3.1 Solos
-
- "A League Of Their Own Soundtrack"
- JT sang two songs: "Paper Moon" and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"
- Apparently neither song appeared in the movie.
-
- "Second Star To the Right" -- JT sang it on "Stay Awake," a collection of
- Disney songs (A&M records number 3918)
-
- "Jelly Man Kelly" -- Sang it on the 1979 Sesame Street album "In Harmony"
- Co-written by JT's daughter, Sarah.
-
- "Getting To Know You" -- Sang it on "For Our Children," a benefit album for
- pediatric AIDS research.
-
-
- 4.3.2 Duets, Trios, and Backup
-
- - "Perfect Love" -- Cohn/JT duet on Cohn's self-titled album
-
- - "Mockingbird" -- Duet with then-wife Carly Simon on her album, "Hotcakes,"
- and also on her Greatest Hits album.
- A live version appears on the 1979 "No Nukes" album.
-
- - "Song of Long Ago" -- Carole King/JT duet on her album, "Music" - 1971
-
- - "The Water is Wide" -- Duet with Karla Bonoff on her 1979 album "Restless
- Nights" (J. D. Souther sang backup)
- JT recorded it solo on "New Moon Shine."
-
- - "Old Blue" -- With violinist Mark O'Connor on his album "On the Mark" - 1987
-
- - "City Light" -- Duet with brother Livingston on his 1988 album "Life Is Good"
-
- - "Back In the High Life" -- JT sang backup for Steve Winwood on this song
-
- - Sang and played on Joni Mitchell's 1971 album, "Blue"
-
- - "Wonderful World" recorded with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in 1978
-
- - "It's In His Kiss" --Duet with sister Kate Taylor on her 1978 album, "Kate
- Taylor."
- See section 9.1 below.
-
- - "Crying In the Rain" -- Duet with Art Garfunkel on his 1994 album,
- "Up 'til Now."
-
- - "Gonna Work Out Fine" -- Duet with Linda Ronstadt on her album "Get Closer."
-
- - "Bartender's Blues" -- Sang backup for George Jones' 1977 cover of JT's
- own song.
-
- - "Devoted To You" -- duet with Carly Simon on her 1978 "Boys In the Trees"
- album.
-
-
-
- 4.3.3 Other Compositions
-
- - "Millworker," "Brother Trucker," and the music to a third song written for
- Broadway musical "Working" in 1979. First two songs recorded on his
- album "Flag."
-
- - "Slow and Steady" recorded on Kate Taylor's 1978 album "Kate Taylor"
-
-
- 4.4 Videos
-
- 4.4.1 Concert Videos
-
- "James Taylor in Concert" -- 1979 - Warner Bros.
- First JT video. Recorded Summer of 1979 at Blossom Music Festival during JT's
- "Flag" tour. Hard to find, but may still be available in video rental
- stores.
- Songs:
- Blossom
- Millworker
- Carolina in my Mind
- Handyman
- Brother Trucker
- Secret 'O Life
- Your Smiling Face
- Up on the Roof
- Steamroller Blues
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely
- Long Ago & Far Away
- I Will Not Lie
- Walking Man
- Mexico
- Honey Don't Leave LA
- Sweet Baby James
- How Sweet It Is
- Summertime Blues
- Fire and Rain
-
-
- "Ohne Filter Musik Pur" -- 1986
- Pioneer Laser Disc
- Not available on VHS
- Recording of 1986 appearance on German television program.
- Approx. 50 min.
- You Can Close Your Eyes
- Sweet Baby James
- Wandering
- That's Why I'm Here
- Only A Dream in Rio
- Handyman
- Your Smiling Face
- Traffic Jam
- Sea Cruise
- Everyday
- Only One
- Fire and Rain
- How Sweet It Is
-
-
- "James Taylor In Concert" -- 1988
- Recorded March 1988 at the Boston Colonial Theater in Boston, MA.
- Broadcast by PBS.
- Sony
- VHS, 69 minutes
- Songs:
- Something in the Way She Moves
- Fire and Rain
- Your Smiling Face
- Only One
- Shower the People
- How Sweet It Is
- Up On the Roof
- Everyday
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Never Die Young
- Steamroller
- Carolina in My Mind
- Sweet Baby James
-
-
- "Squibnocket" -- 1993
- Pre-1992 tour covering through "New Moon Shine"
- VHS, 65 minutes, stereo
- Songs:
- Secret Of Life
- Wandering
- Traffic Jam
- (I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' Bout That
- You've Got A Friend
- Fire and Rain
- Sun On the Moon
- Frozen Man
- Shed a Little Light
- Copperline
- Sweet Baby James
- Country Road
- Mexico
- Your Smiling Face
- You Can Close Your Eyes
- (and several interviews)
-
-
-
- 4.4.2 Single-Song Music Videos
-
- - Her Town Too
- - Everyday
- - Only One
- - Only A Dream In Rio
- - Never Die Young
- - Copperline
-
-
- 4.4.3 Appearances In Other Videos
-
- - "Nu Nukes"
- - "In Our Own Hands"
- - "Moscow Rock Festival"
- - "Sing Yourself Silly" -- Sesame Street Home Video - 1990
- JT performs "Jelly Man Kelly." See section 4.3.1.
-
-
- 4.5 Bootlegs
-
- - "In Perfect Harmony" -- Bootleg recording of 1970 BBC radio performance
- with Joni Mitchell. Also named "You Can Close Your Eyes."
- See section 5.4.
-
- - "Isn't It Nice To Be Home Again"
-
-
-
- 5.0 A P P E A R A N C E S
-
- 5.1 Saturday Night Live (NBC network - U.S.)
-
- Mid-October, 1976 - Sang "Shower the People" and "Sweet Baby James."
- Host: Lily Tomlin
-
- 1979 - Sang "Johnnie Comes Back" and "Up On the Roof"
- Also played small role in a skit as a ship's crewmember.
- Host: Eric Idle
-
- 100th episode special (1980?) - Sang with Paul Simon on "Sunny Skies,"
- "Take Me To the Mardi Gras" (a Simon song), and "Cathy's Clown" (made
- popular by the Everly Brothers).
-
- Spring 1988 - Performed "Never Die Young," "Sweet Potato Pie," and "That
- Lonesome Road." Host: Robin Williams
-
- December, 1991 - Performed "(I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' Bout That," "Shed a
- Little Light," and "Sweet Baby James." Host: Steve Martin
-
- November 13, 1993 - Sang "Memphis" (written by Chuck Berry, 1959), "Slap
- Leather, and "Secret 'O Life."
- Also played himself in a skit satirizing a Frank Sinatra duet
- compilation that had recently been released.
-
-
- 5.2 "Sesame Street" (PBS Network - U.S.)
-
- Several appearances on the daily children's television program.
-
- On one occasion he sang "Up On A Roof" while on the roof of a building.
-
-
- 5.3 Concerts on PBS
-
- "Evening at Pops" -- 1993
- With the Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by John Williams
- Songs:
- Secret 'O Life
- Carolina in My Mind
- The Water is Wide
- The Way You Look Tonight
- Copperline
- Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
- Steamroller Blues
-
-
- 5.4 Radio
-
- 1970 - Performed with Joni Mitchell on BBC radio show. See section 4.5.
-
- May 12, 1980 - Performed at anti-nuclear arms rally in Central Park, New York
- City. Broadcast nationally.
-
- 1981 - Performed for a live national radio broadcast from the Fox Theater in
- Atlanta.
-
-
- 5.5 Major Live Performances
-
- 1979 - MUSE/No Nukes concerts - 5 shows from Sept. 18-22
- Documentary film, also called "No Nukes, may be available on video.
- Highlights of the shows at New York's Madison Square Garden were
- released on a triple album (vinyl) and documentary film, both
- titled "No Nukes." The show was organized by Musicians United for Safe
- Energy, which was a founded by JT, Carly Simon, John Hall and Bonnie
- Raitt.
-
- 1984 - Rock in Rio concert
- Recorded for "Live in Rio" album. See sections 8.2.
-
- 1985 - Moscow Rock Festival
- Excerpts shown on Showtime cable network (U.S.)
-
- 5.6 "The Simpsons" - animated weekly series on Fox Network (U.S.)
-
- 2/24/94 - JT appeared as himself in an episode centering on Homer Simpson
- being chosen by NASA for a space mission. JT was called in to calm the
- frantic crew by singing a couple songs for them over the radio. He
- started with "You've Got A Friend" and later sang part of "Fire And
- Rain," at one point changing the lyrics to avoid saying "flying
- machines in pieces on the ground" since the rocket was expected to
- burn up on re-entry. Hilarious inside jokes were made in reference to
- JT's home on Martha's Vineyard and his friendship with Art Garfunkel.
- When JT suggested a way to save the astronauts and it failed miserably,
- the NASA head honchos turned on him angrily. His response: "Gotta go."
- And he did.
-
-
-
- 6.0 T O U R I N F O R M A T I O N
-
- None available for now.
-
-
-
- 7.0 B I B L I O G R A P H Y
-
- 7.1 Biographies
-
- None known.
-
-
- 7.2 Major Articles/Interviews
-
- _Guitar Player_
-
- 5/84 - Page 90 - "The instrumental side of James Taylor"
-
- _Life_
-
- 10/85 - Page 17 - "Pop's rainy day man is singing a sunnier tune"
-
- _New York Times_
-
- 4/8/81 - Page C24 - "Taylor: After the Turmoil and Wanderlust"
- 2/3/88 - Section C - "The Pop Life"
-
- _Newsweek_
-
- 11/4/85 - Page 79 - "Grown-up James, adult Joni" (JT and Joni Mitchell)
-
- _People_
-
- 10/6/80 - Page 104 - "No nukers Carly Simon and James Taylor have a
- new cause: stopping fission at home"
- 8/24/81 - Page 26 - "The five singing Taylors find smooth sailing in
- their first family concert"
-
- _Rolling Stone_
-
- 7/10/80 - Page 16 - JT's benefit concerts for the Anderson campaign
- 6/11/81 - Page 28 - "Fathers and Lovers" (interview)
-
- _Stereo Review_
-
- 1/78 - Page 62-67 - "A Talk With James Taylor"
-
- _Time Magazine_
-
- 1971 - JT was the subject of a cover story.
- 10/23/85 - Page 64 - JT's second marriage
-
-
-
- 7.3 Sheet Music and Music Books
-
- "James Taylor" -- 1971 - Amsco Music Publishing Co.
- It contains the entirety of the 1st two albums ("James Taylor" and "Sweet
- Baby James") in piano/vocal format, and (unusually for its day)
- contained a separate section for guitarists featuring some performance notes
- and guitar tabulature (a means of writing music for guitar that has becpme
- very popular only in the last 4-5 yrs.) The tabulature parts were written by
- Happy Traum, himself a recording folk musician, and now head of Homespun Tapes
- in Woodstock, which offers music instruction tapes by well known musicians,
- including one by Livingston. The book also contained the original Apple
- release, an interview with James, a letter he wrote about himself, and a
- reprinted review of a 1970 Carnegie Hall concert. It is easily recognizable by
- its black & white cover photo of a rather severe looking JT. This book was de
- rigeur for folk guitarists in the 70s. A great many copies were once in
- print, which means it may be easier to locate at used book shops for those
- interested.
-
-
-
- 8.0 T I D B I T S (Gossip, stories, etc.)
-
- 8.1 "Fire and Rain"
-
- From William Palmer (wpalmer@oasys.dt.navy.mil):
-
- Something I heard about this line goes like this: JT had a girlfriend
- that he was really focusing on. Some friends decided that she was a
- bad influence on him, and convinced her to go away for awhile. They
- bought her a plane ticket, she got on the plane, and en route, it crashed
- and she was killed in the accident. She was the 'sweet dream', and the
- plane was the 'flying machine'.
-
- From Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu):
-
- "Fire and Rain" was written about a friend of JT's, Suzanne. They met
- when they were in Austin Riggs for heroin addition. They became very
- close *friends*. After JT was released, they spoke on the phone alot,
- helping each other out ("hours of time on the telephone line"). Suzanne was
- supposed to be released, but committed suicide very close to her release
- date.
-
- The line "Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground" refers
- to JT's past--and the breakup of his first band (Flying Machine).
-
-
-
- 8.2 The Rock in Rio concerts in January 1985
-
- From Andre Valente (andre@lri.jur.uva.nl):
-
- I was present in JT's concerts and almost all days from the festival
- (10 days total) because I lived in Rio by that time.
-
- - It started with JT alone in the guitar for a few songs, then with
- the addition of two wonderful back-vocals (one male one female, both
- black). This was the part I liked most. I prefer the slow songs (Long
- Ago and Far Away, You Can Close Your Eyes, etc.) generally, and their
- performance for so many people created an incredible effect: can you
- imagine 200.000 people in a rock festival almost completely silent,
- sitting on the ground? It was this magic mood that made the experience
- incredible, and the origin of the magic was JT's music.
-
- - The other instruments entered slowly, up to the moment where the group
- was complete. Then followed "You've Got a Friend", "Fire and Rain",
- "Mexico", etc. All the big hits, everything I wanted to hear. I think
- he finished with "Up on a Roof", but I am not certain.
-
- The fact that the audience was so big (the biggest from the 10 days of
- the festival) was due to a large extent to JT. He was (is) very famous
- in Brazil, especially for the generation that lived the 70s.
-
-
- 8.3 "Sweet Baby James"
-
- The song is most likely about JT's brother Alex's son, James, though people
- often associate the title with JT himself.
-
-
- 8.4 "Mona"
-
- From Ethan Harvey (sunking@inca.gate.net):
-
- He told the story at a concert I went to years ago, but I don't remember all
- of it. He did own a pig named Mona, but he didn't shoot her. I think he left
- rat poison out to kill the rats on his farm. Instead, Mona got to the poison,
- and that was the end of Mona. But the shooting made for a better song, I guess.
-
-
- 8.5 "Suite for 20G"
-
- From Ken Kwartler (kmklegal@corp.sgi.com):
-
- JT & the gang had purportedly written and recorded all the other songs for
- Sweet Baby James, but needed one more. JT strung together a few different
- pieces he was working on into one song, and named it Suite for 20G, as once
- they recorded it and gave the record company the finished project, they got
- a $20G advance.
-
-
- 8.6 Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"
-
- People often suggest that the song is about JT, but according to Carly
- herself, it was about Warren Beatty. Other theories survive, though.
-
-
- From JD Delorme (jdd9642@ritvax.isc.rit.edu):
-
- The rumor going 'round when I was but a lad was that "You're
- So Vain" was about Mick Jaggar - whom she dated for awhile - and who heard
- it and knew it was for him. Then he begged to be allowed to do background
- vocals - a little twisted humor - sort of the ultimate irony for the whole
- idea that "you probably thing this song is about you". Of course - it may
- well have been more urban folklore, too.
-
-
- From Charles R. Center (CENTERCR%DFL@pcmail.usafa.af.mil):
-
- Saw an interview once, and she said it was about Beatty, and acknowledged
- that alot of people mistakenly attributed it to JT.
-
- 8.7 "Mexico"
-
- From Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu):
-
- JT's song "Mexico" refers to a trip he took with his family
- to this country. JT came down with the craps and a fever and didn't leave
- his hotel room for the entire trip, hence, the line: "I've never really
- been so I don't really know."
-
- 8.9 JT/Carly Simon breakup
-
- From Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu):
-
- The reason Carly and James broke up was because James was spending alot of
- time on the road, totally concentrating on his music (and we really don't
- mind). Carly now had 2 kids by JT, and gave him a bit of an ultimatum:
- Quit spending so much time on your music and more time with your kids or
- I'll divorce you.
- James' answer lies in the title of his next album: "Dad Loves His Work."
-
-
-
- 9.0 R E L A T E D A R T I S T S
-
- 9.1 JT's Siblings
-
- 9.1.1 Alex
-
- "With Friends and Neighbors" -- 1971
- "Dinnertime" -- 1972
- "Dancing With the Devil" -- ?
-
- 9.1.2 Livingston:
-
- "Livingston Taylor" -- 1970 - Capricorn/Atco - Reference #: SD 33-334
- "Liv" -- 1971 - Capricorn - Reference #: SD 863
- "Over the Rainbow" -- 1973 - Capricorn - Reference #: CP 0114
- "3-Way Mirror -- 1978 - Epic/Legacy (released on CD 1/94)
- "Echoes" (compilation) -- 1979 - Capricorn - Reference #: CPN 0220
- "Man's Best Friend" -- 1981 - Epic - Reference #: JE 36153
- "Life Is Good" -- 1988 - Atco/Critique - Reference #: 90941-2
- "Good Friends" -- 1993
- "Our Turn to Dance" -- 1993
-
- 9.1.3 Kate
-
- "Sister Kate" -- 1971
- "Kate Taylor" -- 1978 - Columbia - Reference #: JC 35089
-
- 9.1.4 Hugh:
-
- No specifics known.
-
-
- 9.2 JT Alumni
-
- 9.2.1 Carly Simon
-
- - Ex-wife and frequent collaborator
- - Successful recording artist
- Albums:
- "Another Passenger" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1064
- "Anticipation" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 75016
- "Boys In the Trees" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE128
- "Carly Simon" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 74082
- "Come Upstairs" -- Alex (import) - Reference #: ALE 3520
- "Coming Around Again" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8443
- "Have You Seen Me Lately?" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8650
- "Hello Big Man" -- Warner Bros. - Reference #: WAR 23886
- "Hotcakes" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1002
- "My Romance" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8582
- "No Secrets" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 75049
- "Playing Possum" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1033
- "Spoiled Girl" -- Warner Bros. - Reference #: CBS 39970
- "Best of Carly Simon" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 109
- "Greatest Hits Live" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8526
- "You're So Vain/Nobody Does It Better" (single) -- Elektra
- Reference #: ELE 65929
-
-
- 9.2.2 Carole King
-
- - Wrote JT's major hit "You've Got A Friend" and many other songs
- - Frequent collaborator and band member
- - Successful artist
- Albums:
- "One To One" -- 1982 - ?
- "Speeding Time" -- 1984 - ?
- "City Streets" -- 1989 - Capitol - Reference #: CAP 90885
- "Colour of Your Dreams" -- 1993 - Scarface - Reference #: SCA 57197
- "Fantasy" -- 1973 - CBS - Reference #: CBS 34962
- "Music" -- CBS - Reference #: CBS 34949
- "Plus" -- Collectables - Reference #: COL 5414
- "Rhymes and Reasons" -- CBS - Reference #: CBS 34950
- "Tapestry" -- CBS - Reference #: 34946
- "Thoroughbred" -- 1976 - CBS - Reference #: CBS 34963
- "Wrap Around Joy" -- CBS - Reference #: 34953
- "Writer" -- CBS - Reference #: CBS 34944
- "Greatest Hits" -- CBS - Reference #: 34967
-
- 9.2.3 Others
-
- Don Grolnick
-
- - Produced JT's last two studio albums
- - Member of JT's band
- - Has recorded solo albums
-
- Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar
-
- - Friend since childhood and longtime member of JT's band
-
- Leland Sklar
-
- - Member of band
-
- Peter Asher
-
- - JT's manager and a musician
-
- Joni Mitchell
-
- - Frequent collaborator and successful artist
-
- Arnold McCuller
-
- - Frequent backup singer for JT
-
- David Lasley
-
- - Frequent backup singer
-
- George Massenburg
-
- - Co-produced and mixed JT's latest live album
- - Lurks in alt.music.james-taylor
-
- Russ Kunkel
-
- - Plays in JT's band
-
- Rosemary Butler
-
- - Band member
-
- David Crosby and Graham Nash
-
- - Frequently sang backup for JT
- - Members of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
-
- Paul McCartney
-
- - Signed JT to the Beatles' Apple Records
- - Played bass on several songs for "James Taylor"
- - Sang with his wife Linda on "Walking Man"
-
- Linda Ronstadt
-
- - Frequent collaborator and successful artist
-
-
-
- 10.0 P O I N T E R S
-
- 10.1 Where To Find JT's Albums
-
- All the U.S. albums are available on tape and CD in the U.S.
- Most of the CDs, including the non-U.S. ones, are for sale online.
- telnet zen.holonet.net and login: cdc
-
- Vinyl albums are harder to find, of course. If you can't find what
- you're looking for locally, someone suggested Acoustic Sounds
- at 1-800-525-1630.
-
-
- 10.2 Fan Mail
-
- Try reaching JT through his manager, Peter Asher:
-
- James Taylor
- c/o Peter Asher Management
- 644 North Doheny Drive
- Los Angeles, CA 90069
-
- No, he probably doesn't have an E-mail address, but George Massenburg, who
- co-produced JT's latest live album, does read this group and has said JT
- will hear about.
-
-
- 11.0 A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S:
-
- A special thanks to Ken Kwartler (kmklegal@corp.sgi.com), the quintessential
- JT guru.
-
- Many others have also contributed to this FAQ, including:
-
- Norma Pincus (norma@hpcllmr.cup.hp.com)
- Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu)
- Jonathan Schilling (jls@summit.novell.com)
- ... and many others.
-
-
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-
-
- Please email any corrections, additions, or suggestions to the address below:
-
-
- --
- Joel Risberg -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- jrisberg@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
- "Me? I'm a fingersmith. I'm a professional fingersmith."
- -= Roald Dahl -=- "The Hitchhiker" =-
-