The pioneer with all the classic songs…
When people use the term “singer/songwriter” (often modified by the word “sensitive”) in praise or in criticism, they’re thinking of James Taylor. In the early ’70s, when he appeared with his introspective songs, acoustic guitar, and calm, understated singing style, he mirrored a generation’s emotional exhaustion after tumultuous times Just as Bing Crosby’s reassuring voice brought the country out of the Depression and through World War II, Taylor’s eased the transition from ’60s activism and its attendant frustrations into the less political, more inward-looking ’70s. He was rewarded with a series of hit albums and singles (surprisingly, many of the latter were covers of old songs rather than his own compositions), and he managed to survive his initial fame to achieve lasting popularity. He continued to tour successfully for decades, and, starting with his 1970 breakthrough Sweet Baby James, all but one of his regular album releases for the rest of the century went gold or platinum, while his 1976 Greatest Hits album achieved a diamond certification reflecting sales of more than ten million copies.
Taylor was the son of Dr. Isaac and Gertrude Taylor. His three brothers Alex (1947-1993), Livingston, and Hugh – and his sister Kate – all became musicians and recorded albums of their own. In 1951, Dr. Taylor was appointed dean of the medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the family moved from New England to the South. Taylor studied cello as a child, but first took up the guitar in 1960. In 1963, he began attending Milton Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts. That summer, he met fellow guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar while staying on Martha’ s Vineyard, and the two formed a folk duo. Taylor dropped out of school at 16 and formed a band with his brother Alex. Having moved to New York, he suffered from depression and checked himself into McLean Psychiatric Hospital in Massachusetts, a stay that would inspire some of his early songs. While there, he earned a high school diploma. Upon release, he returned to New York in 1966 and formed a new group, the Flying Machine, with Kortchmar and Joel O’Brien. The band played in Greenwich Village and was signed to a fledgling record label, Rainy Day Records (the name taken from Taylor’ s song “Rainy Day Man”). It released one single, “Brighten Your Night with My Day” / “Night Owl,” both songs written by Taylor. The record was unsuccessful, and the band broke up in the spring of 1967.
By 1968, Taylor had become addicted to heroin. In an attempt to overcome his addiction, he moved to London, where he submitted a demo tape to Peter Asher, former member of Peter and Gordon, then working for the Beatles’ Apple Records label. As a result, Taylor was signed to Apple and recorded his debut solo album, James Taylor, released in the U.K. in December 1968 and in the U.S. in February 1969. Initially, it received little attention. A more pressing concern, however, was that Taylor had not been able to kick heroin. As a result, he returned to the U.S. and checked into the Austin Riggs Hospital in Massachusetts. By July 1969, he had recovered sufficiently to make his solo debut at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles, but soon after he was in a motorcycle accident and broke both of his hands, which put him out of commission for several months.
Freed of his Apple Records contract, Taylor signed to Warner Bros. Records, moved to California, and, retaining Asher as his manager and producer, recorded his second album, Sweet Baby James. It was released in February 1970 and became a major success during the course of the year, spurred by the single “Fire and Rain,” a song that reflected on his experiences in mental institutions, which peaked in the top five in October, the same month that Sweet Baby James achieved the same status on the LP charts. With that, interest in Taylor’s first album was re-stimulated, and it belatedly reached the charts along with the single “Carolina on My Mind,” as did James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine – 1967, a short collection of unfinished recordings made by his ’60s band. Sweet Baby James then spawned a second hit single, “Country Road,” which peaked in the Top 40 in March 1971. The same month, Taylor appeared on the cover of Time magazine, touted as the founder and leading proponent of the “singer/songwriter” trend in popular music.
Meanwhile, Taylor had acted in a feature film, Two-Lane Blacktop, co-starring with the Beach Boys’ Dennis Wilson. It was not successful, and Taylor never pursued an acting career, though it has been well-reviewed subsequently. Taylor also worked on a new album, returning to record stores in April 1971 with Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. As he toured the U.S., the LP spent the summer in the Top Ten, eventually peaking just below the top of the charts, paced by its first single, “You’ve Got a Friend,” written by Carole King, which hit number one in July and went gold. A second single, “Long Ago and Far Away,” reached the Top 40, and the album eventually sold more than two million copies. On March 14, 1972, Taylor won the 1971 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, for “You’ve Got a Friend.”
Taylor took what was then considered a long time – more than a year and a half – to come up with his next album, One Man Dog, released in November 1972. On November 3, 1972, during an appearance at Radio City Music Hall in New York, he announced to the crowd that he had married singer/songwriter Carly Simon earlier in the day. Simon was already well known for the hits “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” and “Anticipation,” and would soon top the charts with “You’re So Vain.” One Man Dog marked a fall-off in Taylor’s record sales, though it went gold, reached the top five, and spawned a top 20 single in “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.”
Taylor was next heard from in January 1974, when he sang a duet with his wife of “Mockingbird,” a cover of the 1963 hit by Inez and Charlie Foxx, on her Hot Cakes album. Released as a single, the recording reached the Top Five and went gold. That spring, Taylor launched a major tour in anticipation of his next album, Walking Man, released in June. Though it reached the Top 20, the album was a commercial disappointment, failing to go gold or produce a chart single. But Taylor bounced back the following year with the May release of Gorilla. Again, he succeeded by reviving an old hit, this time Marvin Gaye’s 1964 song “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” which reached the Top Five, helping the album become a Top Ten, gold-selling hit.
In the Pocket, Taylor’s seventh album, was his third annual warm-weather release, appearing in June 1976. Its single was the singer’s own “Shower the People,” which reached the Top 40, while the album made the Top 20 and went gold. Nearing the end of his Warner Bros. contract, Taylor re-recorded a couple of his Apple songs for his Greatest Hits LP, released in November. It became a perennial seller. With that, in a major coup, he was signed by Columbia Records. His debut for the label, JT, was released in June 1977. Once again, a revival spurred its sales, as Taylor covered Jimmy James’ 1959 song “Handy Man” and took it into the top five, followed by a top 20 showing for his own “Your Smiling Face.” With such stimulation, JT reached the top five and sold over two million copies. On February 23, 1978, Taylor picked up a second Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, for “Handy Man.”
Along with Paul Simon, Taylor was a featured singer on Art Garfunkel’s cover of “(What A) Wonderful World,” previously a hit for Sam Cooke and Herman’s Hermits, which peaked in the Top 20 in March 1978. Taylor next became involved with the Broadway musical Working, based on Studs Terkel’s bestseller, writing three songs for it. The show ran a scant 25 performances after opening on May 14, 1978, but Taylor reclaimed “Millworker” and “Brother Trucker” for his next album. Meanwhile, his duet with Carly Simon on a revival of the Everly Brothers’ “Devoted to You” peaked in the Top 40 in September.
Flag, marking a nearly two-year break between albums, appeared in April 1979, its Top 40 hit single being a revival of the 1963 Drifters hit “Up on the Roof.” Despite the lack of a really big hit single, the LP reached the Top Ten and went platinum. That September, Taylor performed at Madison Square Garden in the No Nukes concerts, later being featured in the No Nukes triple-LP and in the No Nukes concert film.
Taylor embarked on a national tour in the summer of 1980, despite not having a current album to promote. From here on, recurrent touring became a regular part of his career and contributed to his longevity as an artist. That fall, he appeared on the children’s album In Harmony 2, singing “Jelly Man Kelly.” The album won the 1981 Grammy for Best Recording for Children. He toured extensively during 1981, releasing Dad Loves His Work in February. The album reached the Top Ten and went gold, spurred by the Top Ten success of the single “Her Town Too,” written by Taylor, J.D. Souther, and Waddy Wachtel, Taylor’s most successful original composition since “Fire and Rain.”
Taylor continued to tour frequently in the early 1980s, a period when his marriage to Carly Simon came to an end (they were divorced in 1983). Often, his performances took place overseas. In January 1985, he performed at the Rock in Rio concert in Brazil, a show that resulted in the Brazil-only release Live in Rio. His next studio album, following a gap of more than four years, was That’s Why I’m Here, released in October 1985. As usual, his record label issued a cover song as the single; in this case it was Buddy Holly’s “Everyday,” which didn’t get very far up the charts. Nevertheless, Taylor’s long career and constant touring had brought him a permanent audience ready to buy his records, and the album eventually went platinum. On December 14, 1985, he married for the second time, to Kathryn Walker; a month later, he was on tour in Australia.
Road work continued to be Taylor’s primary occupation in the mid-’80s, but he came off tour long enough to finish another album, Never Die Young, only a little more than two years after That’s Why I’m Here, released in January 1988. The title song, issued as a single, barely reached the charts, but Never Die Young was another million-seller. The late ’80s and early ’90s saw more extensive, worldwide touring. New Moon Shine, Taylor’s 13th regular album release, came in October 1991, the same month that he sold out six consecutive shows at the Paramount Theater in New York; the disc stayed in the charts nearly a year and sold a million copies.
Despite his consistent draw as a concert attraction, Taylor had never released a live album in the U.S. until the August 1993 appearance of (Live), a two-CD set that went platinum within months. Columbia Records, which had never had a Taylor compilation to promote, trimmed the album down to a single disc of hits for the 1994 release Best (Live). Taylor was divorced from his second wife in 1996. His next album, Hourglass, released in May 1997, demonstrated his continuing appeal by entering the charts in the Top Ten. On February 25, 1998, it won the 1997 Grammy for Best Pop Album. – William Ruhlmann – All Music Guide
Discography
American Standard
Fantasy Records 2020
Tracks: My Blue Heaven, Moon River, Teach Me Tonight, As Easy As Rolling Off A Log, Almost Like Being In Love, Sit Down You’re Rockin' The Boat, The Nearness Of You, You've Got To Be Carefully Taught, God Bless The Child, Pennies From Heaven, My Heart Stood Still, Ol’ Man River, It’s Only A Paper Moon & The Surrey With The Fringe On Top.
Musicians to the American Standard album: James Taylor, John Pizzarelli, Steve Gadd, Luis Conte, Jimmy Johnson, Viktor Krauss, Lou Marini, Walt Fowler, Larry Goldings, Stuart Duncan, Jerry Douglas, Arnold McCuller, Kate Markowitz, Andrea Zonn, Dorian Holley & Caroline Taylor.
The Warner Bros Albums 1970-1976
Warner Bros 2019
Tracks: CD1 (Sweet Baby James): 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. CD2 (Mud Slide Slim): Love Has Brought Me Around, You’ve Got A Friend, Places In My Past, Riding On A Railroad, Soldiers, Mud Slide Slim, Hey Mister That’s Me Up On The Jukebox, You Can Close Your Eyes, Machine Gun Kelly, Long Ago and Far Away, Let Me Ride, Highway Song & Isn’t It Nice To Be Home Again. CD3 (One Man Dog): One Man Parade, 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, One Morning In May, Instrumental II, Someone, Hymn, Fanfare, Little David, Mescalito, Dance & Jig. CD4: (Walking Man): Walking Man, Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Music Now, Let It All Fall Down, Me and My Guitar, Daddy’s Baby, Ain’t No Song, Hello Old Friend, Migration, The Promised Land & Fading Away. CD5 (Gorilla): Mexico, Music, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Wandering, Gorilla, You Make It Easy, I Was a Fool To Care, Lighthouse, Angry Blues, Love Songs & Sarah Maria. CD6 (In The Pocket): Shower the People, A Junkie’s Lament, Money Machine, Slow Burning Love, Everybody Has the Blues, Daddy’s All Gone, Woman’s Gotta Have It, Captain Jim’s Drunken Dream, Don’t Be Sad ‘Cause Your Sun Is Down, Nothing Like a Hundred Miles, Family Man & Golden Moments.
Musicians on the Warner Bros Albums 1970-1976 album: James Taylor and others.
Before This World "Target Edition"
Concord Music Group 2015
Tracks: Today Today Today, You And I Again, Angels Of Fenway, Stretch Of The Highway, Montana, Watchin' Over Me, SnowTime, Before This World / Jolly Springtime, Far Afghanistan, Wild Mountain Thyme, Pretty Boy Floyd (Bonus Track), I Can´t Help It (If I´m Still In Love With You) (Bonus Track) & Diamond Joe (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the Before This World album: James Taylor and others.
Before This World "Box"
Concord Music Group 2015
Tracks: Disc 1: Today Today Today, You And I Again, Angels Of Fenway, Stretch Of The Highway, Montana, Watchin' Over Me, SnowTime, Before This World / Jolly Springtime, Far Afghanistan & Wild Mountain Thyme. Disc 2: 9lb Hammer, 6/4 Shuffle, Joshua Gone Barbedos, Whenever You´re Ready & SnowTimeLine. CD3: There We Were: The Recording Of James Taylor's Before This World.
Musicians on the Before This World album: James Taylor and others.
Before This World "Japanese Version"
Concord Music Group 2015
Tracks: Today Today Today, You And I Again, Angels Of Fenway, Stretch Of The Highway, Montana, Watchin' Over Me, SnowTime, Before This World / Jolly Springtime, Far Afghanistan, Wild Mountain Thyme, Pretty Boy Floyd (Bonus Track), I Can´t Help It (If I´m Still In Love With You) (Bonus Track) & Diamond Joe (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the Before This World album: James Taylor and others.
Before This World "Deluxe Edition"
Concord Music Group 2015
Tracks: CD: Today Today Today, You And I Again, Angels Of Fenway, Stretch Of The Highway, Montana, Watchin' Over Me, SnowTime, Before This World / Jolly Springtime, Far Afghanistan & Wild Mountain Thyme. DVD: There We Were: The Making of James Taylor's Before This World.
Musicians on the Before This World album: James Taylor and others.
Before This World
Concord Music Group 2015
Tracks: Today Today Today, You And I Again, Angels Of Fenway, Stretch Of The Highway, Montana, Watchin' Over Me, SnowTime, Before This World / Jolly Springtime, Far Afghanistan & Wild Mountain Thyme.
Musicians on the Before This World album: James Taylor and others.
The Essential James Taylor
Warner Bros 2015
Tracks: Disc: 1: Sweet Baby James, Fire And Rain, Long Ago And Far Away, You’ve Got A Friend, Don t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Walking Man, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Mexico, Shower The People, Steamroller, Something In The Way She Moves, Carolina In My Mind, Handy Man, Your Smiling Face & Honey Don’t Leave L.A. Disc: 2: Millworker, Her Town Too with J.D. Souther, Everyday, Only One, Never Die Young, Copperline, The Water Is Wide, Country Road (live), Secret O’ Life (live), Little More Time With You, Another Day, Hard Times Come Again No More (Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O Connor with James Taylor), Caroline I See You, My Traveling Star (live with The Tanglewood Festival Chorus) & You Can Close Your Eyes (live).
Musicians on the Essential James Taylor album: James Taylor and others.
Live Pittsburgh 1976
Plastic Soho 2014
Tracks: Lighthouse, Riding On A Railroad, Secret Of Life, Shower The People, Mexico, Anywhere Like Heaven, Walking Man, Family Man, Fire And Rain, Caroline In My Mind, Bartenders Blues, Dance, Everybody Has The Blues, I Was A Fool To Care, Hello Old Friend, Hey Mister That´s Me Up On The Jukebox, Rainy Day Man, Steamroller & Carolina In My Mind (Encore).
Musicians on the Live Pittsburgh 1976 album: James Taylor and others.
The Essential James Taylor
Sony Music 2013
Tracks:
Disc: 1: Sweet Baby James, Fire And Rain, Long Ago And Far Away, You've Got A Friend, Don t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Walking Man, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Mexico, Shower The People, Steamroller, Something In The Way She Moves, Carolina In My Mind, Handy Man, Your Smiling Face & Honey Don't Leave L.A. Disc: 2: Millworker, Her Town Too with J.D. Souther, Everyday, Only One, Never Die Young, Copperline, The Water Is Wide, Country Road (live), Secret O' Life (live), Little More Time With You, Another Day, Hard Times Come Again No More (Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O Connor with James Taylor), Caroline I See You, My Traveling Star (live with The Tanglewood Festival Chorus) & You Can Close Your Eyes (live).
Musicians on the Essential James Taylor album: James Taylor and others.
Live At The Troubadour
Hear Music 2010
Tracks: Blossom, So Far Away, Machine Gun Kelly, Carolina In My Mind, It's Too late, Smackwater Jack, Something In The Way She Moves, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Country Road, Fire And Rain, Sweet Baby James, I Feel The Earth Move, You've Got A Friend, Up On The Roof & You Can Close Your Eyes.
Musicians on the Live At The Troubadour album: James Taylor, Carole King, Russell Kunkel, Leland Sklar & Danny Korchmar.
Amchitka
Greenpeace 2009
Tracks: CD1: Phil Ochs: Intro Irving Stowe, Intro Phil Ochs, The Bells, Rhythms Of Revolution, Chords Of Fame, I Ain´t Marching Anymore, Joe Hill, Changes, I'm Gonna Say It Now, No More Song. James Taylor: Intro James Taylor, Something In The Way She Moves, Fire and Rain, Carolina In My Mind, Blossom, Riding On A Railroad, Sweet Baby James & You Can Close Your Eyes. CD2: Joni Mitchell: Intro Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi/Bony Maroney, Cactus Tree, The Gallery, Hunter, My Old man, For Free, Woodstock, Carey/Mr. Tambourine Man, A Case Of You & The Circle Game.
Musicians on the Amchitka album: James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs and others.
Sings Covers
Hear Music 2009
Tracks: It's Growing, (I'm A) Road Runner, Wichita Lineman, Why Baby Why, Some Days You Gotta Dance, Seminole Wind, Suzanne, Hound Dog, Sadie, On Broadway, In The Midnight Hour, Knock On Wood, Memphis, Summertime Blues, Not Fade Away, Wasn't That A Mighty Storm, Oh What A Beautiful Morning & Shiver Me Timbers.
Musicians on the Other Covers album: James Taylor and others.
Other Covers
Hear Music 2009
Tracks: Oh What A Beautiful Morning, Get A Job, Memphis, Shiver Me Timbers, Wasn't That A Mighty Storm, In The Midnight Hour & Knock On Wood.
Musicians on the Other Covers album: James Taylor and others.
Covers "Expanded"
Hear Music 2008
Tracks: Oh What A Beautiful Mornin´, It's Growing, (I'm A) Road Runner, Wichita Lineman, Why Baby Why, Some Days You Gotta Dance, Seminole Wind, Suzanna, Hound Dog, Sadie, On Broadway, Knock On Wood, Summertime Blues, Not Fade Away & Shiver Me Timbers.
Musicians on the Covers album: James Taylor and others.
Covers
Hear Music 2008
Tracks: It's Growing, (I'm A) Road Runner, Wichita Lineman, Why Baby Why, Some Days You Gotta Dance, Seminole Wind, Suzanna, Hound Dog, Sadie, On Broadway, Summertime Blues & Not Fade Away.
Musicians on the Covers album: James Taylor and others.
The Circle Game
Woodstock Tapes 2007
Tracks: That Song About The Midway, The Gallery, Rainy Day Man, Steamroller, The Priest, Carey, Carolina In My Mind, California, He Played Real Good For Free, The Circle Game & You Can Close Your Eyes.
Musicians on the Circle Game album: James Taylor & Joni Mitchell.
One Man Band
Hear Music 2007
Tracks: Something In The Way She Moves, Never Die Young, The Frozen Man, Mean Old Man, School Song, Country Road, Slap Leather, My Traveling Star, You’ve Got A Friend, Steamroller Blues, Secret O’ Life, Line ‘Em Up, Chili Dog, Shower The People, Sweet Baby James, Carolina In My Mind, Fire And Rain, Copperline & You Can Close Your Eyes.
Musicians on the One Man Band album: James Taylor & Larry Goldings.
One Man Band
Hear Music 2007
Tracks: Something In The Way She Moves, Never Die Young, The Frozen Man, Mean Old Man, School Song, Country Road, Slap Leather, My Traveling Star, You've Got A Friend, Steamroller Blues, Secret O' Life, Line 'Em Up, Chili Dog, Shower The People, Sweet Baby James, Carolina In My Mind, Fire And Rain, Copperline & You Can Close Your Eyes.
Musicians on the One Man Band album: James Taylor & Larry Goldings.
At Christmas
Sony BMG 2006
Tracks: Winter Wonderland, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells, Baby, It's Cold Outside, River, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song, Some Children See Him, Who Comes This Night, In the Bleak Midwinter & Auld Lang Syne.
Musicians on the At Christmas album: James Taylor and others.
The Letter
United Audio Entertainment 2005
Tracks: Everyday, The Letter, You´re The One I Love, Rainy Day Man, Knocking ´Round The Zoo, Something´s Wrong, Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day & Kootch´s Song.
Musicians on the The Letter album: James Taylor and others.
The Very Best Of James Taylor
Air Records 2004
Tracks are: Everyday, Letter in the Mail, You're the One I Love, Rainy Day Man, Knocking 'Round the Zoo, Something's Wrong, Night Owl, Brighten You Night with My Day & Kootch's Song
Musicians on the The Very Best Of James Taylor album album: James Taylor and others.
A Christmas Album
Hallmark 2004
Tracks: Winter Wonderland, Go Tell It On the Mountain, In the Bleak Midwinter, Baby, It's Cold Outside (duet with Natalie Cole), Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells, The Christmas Song, Deck the Halls, Some Children See Him, Who Comes This Night & Auld Lang Syne.
Musicians on the A Christmas album album: James Taylor Dave Grusin, Natalie Cole, Toots Theilemans, Luis Conte, Chris Botti, John Pizzarelli, Jimmy Johnson, Kate Markowitz, David Lasley, Arnold McCuller and others.
Everyday
Legacy Records 2003
Tracks: Everyday, The Letter, You´re The One I Love, Rainy Day Man, Knocking ´Round The Zoo, Something´s Wrong, Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day & Kootch´s Song.
Musicians on the Everyday album: James Taylor and others.
You Got A Friend
Warner Bros 2003
Tracks: Something In The Way She Moves, Sweet Baby James, Fire And Rain, Country Road, You’ve Got A Friend, You Can Close Your Eyes, Long Ago And Far Away, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Walking Man, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Mexico, Shower The People, Golden Moments, Steamroller, Carolina In My Mind, Handy Man, Your Smiling Face, Up On The Roof, Only A Dream In Rio & Bittersweet.
Musicians on the You Got A Friend album: James Taylor and others.
The Best Of James Taylor
Columbia Records 2003
Tracks: Something In The Way She Moves, Sweet Baby James, Fire And Rain, Country Road (single version), You’ve Got A Friend, You Can Close Your Eyes, Long Ago And Far Away, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Walking Man, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Mexico, Shower The People, Golden Moments, Steamroller (live, 1975), Carolina In My Mind (1976 version), Handy Man, Your Smiling Face, Up On The Roof, Only A Dream In Rio & Bittersweet.
Musicians on the The Best Of James Taylor album: James Taylor and others.
October Road "Limited Edition"
Columbia Records 2002
Tracks: September Grass, October Road, On The 4th Of July, Whenever You´re Ready, Belfast To Boston, Mean Old Man, My Traveling Star, Raised Up Family, Carre Me On My Way, Caroline I See You, Baby Buffalo & Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Bonus CD: Don´t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Sailing To Philadelphia & Benjamin.
Musicians on the October Road - Limited Edition album: James Taylor and others.
October Road
Columbia Records 2002
Tracks: September Grass, October Road, On The 4th Of July, Whenever You´re Ready, Belfast To Boston, Mean Old Man, My Traveling Star, Raised Up Family, Carre Me On My Way, Caroline I See You, Baby Buffalo & Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Musicians on the October Road album: James Taylor and others.
Everyday
Digimode Entertainment 2000
Tracks: Everyday, The Letter, You´re The One I Love, Rainy Day Man, Knocking ´Round The Zoo, Something's Wrong, Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day & Kootch´s Song.
Musicians on the Everyday album: James Taylor and others.
Listen With James
Dressed To Kill 2000
Tracks: Everyday, The Letter, You´re The One I Love, Rainy Day Man, Knocking ´Round The Zoo, Something's Wrong, Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day & Kootch´s Song.
Musicians on the Listen With James album: James Taylor and others.
Best Of James Taylor
Falcon Neue Medien 2000
Tracks: Rainy Day Man, Don´t Let Me Be Tonight, Back On The Street, Nobody But You, One Man Parade, Someone, Fanfare, Dance, Woh Don´t You Know, One Morning In May, Hymn, Fool For You, Chili Dog, New Tune & Handy Man.
Musicians on the Best Of James Taylor album: James Taylor and others.
Steamroller
Vono Disc 2000
Tracks: Something In The Way She Moves, Carolina On My Mind, Fire And Rain, Sweet Baby James, Country Road, You´ve Got A Frien, Don´t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Walking Man, How Sweet It Is, Mexico, Shower The People, The Letter In The Mail, Everyday & Steamroller.
Musicians on the Steamroller album: James Taylor and others.
Greatest Hits Volume Two
Sony Music 2000
Tracks: Secret O' Life, Handy Man, Your Smiling Face, Up On the Roof, Her Town Too, That's Why I'm Here, Only A Dream In Rio, Everyday, Song For You Far Away, Never Die Young, (I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' 'Bout That, Shed a Little Light, Copperline, Another Day, Little More Time With You & Enough To Be On Your Way.
Musicians on the Greatest Hits Volume Two album: James Taylor and others.
James Taylor and The Flying Machine
Gadfly Records 1997
Tracks: Rainy Day Man, Knocking' Round the Zoo, Something's Wrong, Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day (Intro), Brighten Your Night With My Day, Kootch's Song & Knocking' Round the Zoo (Danny Kortchmar Lead Vocal).
Musicians on the James Taylor and The Flying Machine album: James Taylor and others.
Hourglass
Sony Music 1997
Tracks: Line 'Em Up, Enough To Be On Your Way, Little More Time With You, Gaia, Ananas, Jump Up Behind Me, Another Day, Up Er Mei, Up From Your Life, Yellow And Rose, Boatman, Walking My Baby Back Home & Hangnail (hidden track).
Musicians on the Hourglass album: James Taylor, Edgar Meyer, Shawn Colvin, Sting, Michael Brecker, David Lasley, Rob Mounsey, Ross Traut, Valerie Carter, Jill Dell'Abate, Dan Dugmore, Bob Mann, Branford Marsalis, Kate Markowitz, Mark O'Connor, Stanley Silverman, Carlos Vega, Stevie Wonder, Arnold McCuller, Clifford Carter, Jimmy Johnson & Yo-Yo Mac.
He´s Got A Friend Called Joni
ARR Records 1994
Tracks: Mexico, Up On The Roof, Never Die Young, Not Fade Away, Wandering, Memphis Tennessee, Frozen Man, Lo And Behold, Gotta Step Thinkin´, Promised Land, Carolina On My Mind, Your Smiling Face, How Sweet It Is, Sweet Baby James, You´ve Got A Friend. Bonus Tracks: The Circle Game (With Joni Mitchell & You Can Close Your Eyes (With Jonu Mitchell).
Musicians on the Best Live album: James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and others.
(Best Live)
Columbia Records 1994
Tracks: Country Road, Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Fire and Rain, Handy Man, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Mexico, Shed a Little Light, Shower the People, Steamroller Blues, Sweet Baby James, Walking Man & Your Smiling Face.
Musicians on the Best Live album: James Taylor, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Valerie Carter, Michael Landau, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller, Carlos Vega, Clifford Carter & Jimmy Johnson.
Five (5) Live
Columbia Records 1993
Tracks: You've Got A Friend, Handy Man, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight & Walking Man.
Musicians on the Live album: James Taylor, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Valerie Carter, Michael Landau, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller, Carlos Vega, Clifford Carter & Jimmy Johnson.
(Live)
Columbia Records 1993
Tracks: Disc 1: Sweet Baby James, Traffic Jam, Handy Man, Your Smiling Face, Secret O' Life, Shed a Little Light, Everybody Has the Blues, Steamroller, Mexico, Millworker, Country Road, Fire and Rain, Shower the People, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) & 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.
Musicians on the Live album: James Taylor, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Valerie Carter, Michael Landau, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller, Carlos Vega, Clifford Carter & Jimmy Johnson.
Star Box
Sony Music 1993
Tracks: Your Smiling Face, Only One, Copperline, There We Are, Only A Dream In Rio, Stand And Fight, Down In the Hole, Up On the Roof, Summer's Here, Millworker, B. S. U. R., Bartender's Blues, Handyman, Never Die Young, Hard Times, Terra Nova, Valentine's Day, That's Why I'm Here, I Will Follow & That Lonesome Road.
Musicians on the Star Box album: James Taylor and others.
Live In Rio
Columbia Records 1991
Tracks: 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 (To Be Loved by You).
Musicians on the Live In Rio album: James Taylor, Peter Asher, Rosemary Butler, Dan Dugmore, Bill Payne, Rick Shlosser, Lee Sklar, Arnold McCuller.
New Moon Shine
CBS Records 1991
Tracks: 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.
Musicians on the New Moon Shine album: James Taylor, Jerry Douglas, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Bob Mintzer, Valerie Carter, Don Alias, Phillip Ballou, Dave Bargeron, Randy Brecker, Clifford Carter, Steve Gadd, Jimmy Johnson, Danny Kortchmar, Michael Landau, Tony Levin, Branford Marsalis, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller, Mark O'Connor, Dan Stein, Carlos Vega & Steve Jordan.
Never Die Young
CBS Records 1988
Tracks: 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.
Musicians on the Never Die Young album: James Taylor, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Rosemary Butler, Dan Dugmore, Lani Groves, Jay Leonhart, Bob Mann, Jeff Mironov, Mark O'Connor, Bill Payne, Lee Sklar, Greg "Fingers" Taylor & Carlos Vega.
Classic Songs
CBS Records 1987
Tracks: Fire and Rain, Mexico, You've Got a Friend, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Carolina In My Mind (alternate mix), Something In the Way She Moves (alternate mix), 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.
Musicians on the Classic Songs album: James Taylor and others.
Live In Rio
Columbia Records 1985
Tracks: 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 (To Be Loved By You).
Musicians on the Live In Rio album: James Taylor, Peter Asher, Rosemary Butler, Dan Dugmore, Bill Payne, Rick Shlosser, Lee Sklar & Arnold McCuller.
That´s Why I´m Here
CBS Records 1985
Tracks: That's Why I'm Here, Song For You Far Away, Only A Dream In Rio, Turn Away, Going Around One More Time, My Romance, Everyday, Limousine Driver, Only One (with Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, et al.), Mona (with Graham Nash), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (with Graham Nash) & That's Why I'm Here (reprise).
Musicians on the That´s Why I´m Here album: James Taylor, Deniece Williams, Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, David Sanborn, Jimmy Maelen, Airto Moreira, Peter Asher, Randy Brecker, Rosemary Butler, Clifford Carter, Kenny Kosek, Rory Dodd, Dan Dugmore, Frank Filipetti, Russ Kunkel, Tony Levin, Bill Payne, Jeff Pevar, Barry Rogers, Rick Schlosser, Lee Sklar, Greg "Fingers" Taylor, Eric Troye, Starz Vander Lockett, Zbeto, Arnold McCuller, Elaine Eliaf, Kenia Gould & Billy Payne.
Dad Loves His Work
CBS Records 1981
Tracks: Hard Times, Her Town Too, Hour That the Morning Comes, I Will Follow, Believe It Or Not, Stand And Fight, Only For Me, Summer's Here, Sugar Trade, London Town & That Lonesome Road.
Musicians on the Dad Loves His Work album: James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Jennifer Warnes, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, Gene Page, Peter Asher, Bill Cuomo, Dan Dugmore, Jim Gilstrap, Bernard Ighner, Rick Marotta, Lee Sklar, J.D. Souther, Greg "Fingers" Taylor, Arnold McCuller, Waddy Wachtel & Lee Sklar.
Flag
Warner Bros 1979
Tracks: Company Man, Johnnie Comes Back, Day Tripper, I Will Not Lie For You, Brother Trucker, Is That the Way You Look?, B. S. U. R., Rainy Day Man, Millworker, Up On the Roof, Chanson Francaise & Sleep Come Free Me.
Musicians on the Flag album: James Taylor, Graham Nash, Carly Simon, Don Grolnick, David Lasley, David Sanborn, Alex Taylor, Peter Asher, Dan Dugmore, Steve Forman, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Jesse Levy, Arif Mardin, Arnold McCuller, Ralph Schuckett, Louise Schulmann, Lee Sklar, David Spinoza, Richard Wachtel & Waddy Wachtel.
JT
Warner Bros 1977
Tracks: Your Smiling Face, There We Are, Honey Don't Leave L.A., Another Grey Morning, Bartender's Blues, Secret O' Life, Handy Man, I Was Only Telling A Lie, Looking For Love On Broadway, Terra Nova, Traffic Jam & If I Keep My Heart Out Of Sight.
Musicians on the JT album: James Taylor, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, David Sanborn, Leah Kunkel, Peter Asher, Red Callender, David Campbell, Dan Dugmore, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Clarence McDonald & Lee Sklar.
Greatest Hits
Warner Bros 1976
Tracks: 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), Walking Man & Steamroller (live version).
Musicians on the Greatest Hits album: James Taylor, Carole King, Randy Meisner, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, Carly Simon, Michael Brecker, Victor Feldman, David Sanborn, Andrew Gold, Ralph MacDonald, Red Rhodes, Jim Keltner, Kenny Ascher, Byron Berline, David Crosby, Nick DeCaro, Craig Doerge, Dan Dugmore, Milt Holland, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, John London, Clarence McDonald, Rick Marotta, Andy Muson, Gene Orloff, Herb Pedersen, Lee Sklar, David Spinoza & Gayle Levant.
In The Pocket
Warner Bros 1976
Tracks: Shower the People, A Junkie's Lament, Money Machine, Slow Burning Love, Everybody Has the Blues, Daddy's All Gone, Woman's Gotta Have It, Captain Jim's Drunken Dream, Don't Be Sad 'Cause Your Sun Is Down, Nothing Like a Hundred Miles, Family Man & Golden Moments.
Musicians on the In The Pocket album: James Taylor, Art Garfunkel, David Lindley, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Michael Brecker, Victor Feldman, Valerie Carter, Alex Taylor, Jim Keltner, Bobbye Hall, Peter Asher, George Bohannon, Oscar Brashear, Red Callender, Malcolm Cecil, David Crosby, Nick DeCaro, Craig Doerge, David Grisman, Milt Holland, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Gayle LaVant, Clarence McDonald, Steve Madaio, Herb Pedersen, Lee Sklar, Russ Titelman, Richard Wachtel, Ernie Watts, Ken Watson, Willie Weeks, Stevie Wonder, Gayle Levant & Waddy Wachtel.
Gorilla
Warner Bros 1975
Tracks: Mexico, Music, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Wandering, Gorilla, You Make It Easy, I Was a Fool To Care, Lighthouse, Angry Blues, Love Songs & Sarah Maria.
Musicians on the Gorilla album: James Taylor, Graham Nash, Randy Newman, Carly Simon, Victor Feldman, David Sanborn, Arthur Adams, Valerie Carter, Lowell George, Jim Keltner, George Bohannon, David Crosby, Nick DeCaro, Chuck Findley, David Grisman, Milt Holland, Jules Jacob, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Gayle LaVant, Clarence McDonald, Andy Newmark, Al Perkins, Lee Sklar & Willie Weeks.
This Is James Taylor
Springboard Metronome Records 1975
Tracks: Nightowl, Brighten Your Night, Kootch´s Song, Knockin´ Round The Zoo I, Rainy Day Man, Knockin´ Round The Zoo II & Something´s Wrong.
Musicians on the This Is James Taylor album: James Taylor and others.
Walking Man
Warner Bros 1974
Tracks: Walking Man, Rock 'n' Roll Is Music Now, Let It All Fall Down, Me and My Guitar, Daddy's Baby, Ain't No Song, Hello Old Friend, Migration, The Promised Land & Fading Away.
Musicians on the One Man Dog album: James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, George Young, Howard Johnson, Ralph MacDonald, Kenny Ascher. Kenny Berger, Randy Brecker, George Marge, Rick Marotta. Linda McCartney, Hugh McCracken, Andy Muso, Gene Orloff, Barry Rogers, Alan Rubin, Ralph Schuckett, David Spinoza & Peter Gordon.
One Man Dog
Warner Bros 1972
Tracks: One Man Parade, 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, One Morning In May, Instrumental II, Someone, Hymn, Fanfare, Little David, Mescalito, Dance & Jig.
Musicians on the One Man Dog album: James Taylor, John Hartford, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Michael Brecker, John McLaughlin, Red Rhodes, Alex Taylor, Kate Taylor, Bobbye Hall, Peter Asher, Arthur Baron, George Bohannon, Randy Brecker, Dash Crofts, Craig Doerge, Abigale Haness, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Barry Rogers, Lee Sklar, Hugh Taylor, Art Baran & Mark Paletier.
Mud Slide Slim
Warner Bros 1971
Tracks: Love Has Brought Me Around, You've Got A Friend, Places In My Past, Riding On A Railroad, Soldiers, Mud Slide Slim, Hey Mister That's Me Up On The Jukebox, You Can Close Your Eyes, Machine Gun Kelly, Long Ago and Far Away, Let Me Ride, Highway Song & Isn't It Nice To Be Home Again.
Musicians on the Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon album: JJames Taylor, John Hartford, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Richard Greene, The Memphis Horns, Kate Taylor, Peter Asher, Gail Haness, Wayne Jackson, Kevin Kelly, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Andrew Love & Lee Sklar.
Sweet Baby James
Warner Bros 1970
Tracks: 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.
Musicians on the Sweet Baby James album: James Taylor, Carole King, Randy Meisner, Chris Darrow, Red Rhodes, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, John London, Jack Bielan & Bobby West.
James Taylor and The Flying Machine
Springboard Records 1970
Tracks: Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day, Kootch's Song, Knocking' Round the Zoo, Rainy Day Man & Something's Wrong.
Musicians on the James Taylor and The Flying Machine album: James Taylor and others.
James Taylor
Apple Records 1968
Tracks: 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, Rainy Day Man, Circle Round the Sun, The Blues Is Just a Bad Dream.
Musicians on the James Taylor album: James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Freddie Redd, Peter Asher, Louis Cennamo, Richard Hewson, Skaila Kanga, Bishop O'Brien, Don Schinn & Mick Wayne.
James Taylor and The Original Flying Machine
Euphoria Records 1967
Tracks: Night Owl, Brighten Your Night With My Day, Kootch's Song, Knocking' Round the Zoo, Rainy Day Man & Something's Wrong.
Musicians on the James Taylor and The Original Flying Machine album: James Taylor, Jerry Burnham, Al Gorgoni, Danny Kortchmar, Joel O´Brien, Zachary Wiesner.