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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" =-