James Taylor - Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon CD

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon buy CD music Originally released on Ode (PE 34946). Additional Tracks Personnel: Carole King (vocals, piano, keyboards); James Taylor (acoustic guitar); Barry Socher (violin); David Campbell (viola); Terry King (cello); Curtis Amy (flute, soprano saxophone); Ralph Schuckett (electric piano); Charles Larkey, Perry Steinberg (bass instrument); Joel O'Brien, Russ Kunkel (drums); Julia Tillman, Joni Mitchell, Merry Clayton (background vocals). Liner Note Author: James Taylor .

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon CD music Crosby, Still, and Nash topped their enormously popular self-titled 1969 debut by adding Neil Young to their ranks and expanding their stylistic and sonic range. The result, released in 1970, was an artistic and commercial success, representing the talents of the four primary players to excellent effect. More ambitious and incisive than its CSN predecessor, DEJA VU brings together folk, psychedelia, jazz, African, and Middle Eastern flavors, Tin Pan Alley, and hard rock in a manner that captures the tenor of the era's counterculture without sounding dated. The group's distinctively lush harmonies are spread across the album, notably on the record's two centerpieces--"Carry On," which segues into a chugging, percussion-fueled groove halfway through, and "Woodstock," the band's hard rock re-working of the Joni Mitchell tune. Elsewhere, the songs are stamped by individual personalities, as on David Crosby's driving "Almost Cut My Hair," Graham Nash's quaint "Our House," and Stephen Stills dark, folky "4+20." Young's aching, plaintive "Helpless" is one of the highlights here, as is Crosby's complex title cut (with its intricate rhythms and vocal arrangements). Though their time together was tumultuous and short-lived, CSNY were one of the most successful acts of the era, and DEJA VU finds them at their peak. Recording information: Wally Heiders Studio III, Los Angeles, CA. Photographers: Henry Diltz; Tom Gundelfinger. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: David Crosby, Graham Nash, Neil Young, Stephen Stills (various instruments). Personnel: Neil Young (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards); Graham Nash, Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar, keyboards); David Crosby (vocals, guitar); Jerry Garcia (slide guitar, steel guitar); John Sebastian (harmonica); Dallas Taylor (drums, percussion); Greg Reeves (percussion). Additional personnel: John Sebastian (autoharp); Gregory Reeves (bass instrument); Dallas Taylor , Jerry Garcia.

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon songs Though James Taylor's self-titled debut introduced his mellow melodicism and affecting songcraft, SWEET BABY JAMES was the album that rocketed him to national recognition. With SWEET BABY JAMES, Taylor abandoned the slightly psychedelic structural ambition of his first record (the first side was composed as a suite), and settled fully into the folk and country styles to which he is best suited. The top ten hit "Fire and Rain," for instance, a deeply personal story-song based on the artist's experiences in mental hospitals and the suicide of a friend, is built around Taylor's gentle, understated voice, acoustic guitar, cello, piano, and drums. The plaintive, melancholic air of "Fire and Rain" resonated with millions of listeners, as did the rest of the album. Taylor's lyrics, which address personal identity, religion, and relationships lost and struggling, are highly confessional, yet associative and lyrical enough to reflect the lives of listeners. At times, he marries the plight of the sensitive soul to the myth of the cowboy in songs like the title track, a kind of campfire lullaby, or to country traditions, as in "Country Road." In all, these elements combine to make SWEET BABY JAMES, arguably, Taylor's definitive statement, and one of the most influential albums in the singer-songwriter genre. Live Recording

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon album for sale Though James Taylor wasn't a commercial success until SWEET BABY JAMES made him a star in 1971, one of his finest works is this 1968 debut album. Recorded shortly after Taylor was signed to The Beatles' Apple label by producer Peter Asher, it finds the singer-songwriter brimming with confidence and energy. Featuring elaborate orchestration and even a guest appearance from Paul McCartney, Taylor's debut is more produced than SWEET BABY JAMES. The ornate arrangements give the album a wonderfully late-'60s sound that perfectly complements Taylor's accomplished acoustic guitar work and warm, assured singing. In addition to containing such strong performances as the bluesy lament "Circle Round The Sun" and the concert favorite "Rainy Day Man," the album features the original high-spirited recordings of such Taylor classics as "Carolina In My Mind" and "Something In The Way She Moves," which are far superior to the more subdued versions that Taylor re-recorded (due to legal problems with Apple) for his greatest hits album in 1975. Includes liner notes by Steve Kolanjian. Live Recording Recorded at Trident Studios, London, England from July to October 1968. Personnel: James Taylor (vocals, guitar, hand claps, percussion, background vocals); Louis Cennamo (vocals, guitar); Peter Asher (vocals, tambourine, hand claps, percussion, background vocals); Mick Wayne (guitar); Skaila Kanga (harp, harmonica); Richard Hewson (strings, oboe, bassoon); Don Schinn (electric piano, harpsichord, organ, keyboards); Freddie Redd (organ, keyboards); Bishop O'Brien (drums). Liner Note Author: Steve Kolanjian. Recording information: Trident Studios, London, England. Arranger: Richard Hewson. Personnel includes: James Taylor (vocals, guitar, percussion, hand claps); Richard Hewson (conductor); Mick Wayne (guitar); Skaila Kanga (harp); Don Schinn (electric piano, harpsichord, organ); Freddie Redd (organ); Louis Cennamo, Paul McCartney (bass); Bishop O'Brien (drums, percussion); Peter Asher (tamborine, percussion, hand claps, background vocals); Aeolian String Quartet, Amici String Quartet.

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon CD music James Taylor's unique blend of well-crafted songs, meticulous production and heartfelt singing are all in abundance here on GORILLA. Featured are the Taylor originals "Mexico" and "Lighthouse" (both aided and abetted vocally by David Crosby and Graham Nash) and the uplifting, reflective "Music," which delightfully interweaves an orchestral harp in and around the melodic web of Taylor's crystalline guitar patterns. The lush mini-suite "Love Songs" opens with a guitar and clarinet duet and finds James moving ever so discreetly into Gershwin territory. Taylor's take on the Motown chestnut "How Sweet It Is" minted chart-topping gold and thrust the introspective balladeer into the role of hit-making cover artist. Recorded at Warner Bros. Recording Studios, North Hollywood, California from February to March, 1975. Personnel: James Taylor (vocals, acoustic guitar); David Crosby, Carly Simon, Graham Nash (vocals); Lowell George, Arthur Adams (guitar); Al Perkins (steel guitar); David Grisman (mandolin); Gayle Levant (harp); Jules Jacob (clarinet, oboe); Nick DeCaro (accordion); David Sanborn (saxophone); George Bohanon, Chuck Findley (horns); Clarence MacDonald (keyboards); Randy Newman (hornorgan); Victor Feldman (marimba, percussion); Andy Newmark (bass, drums); Willie Weeks (bass); Jim Keltner (drums); Milt Holland (percussion, wind chimes); Valerie Carter (background vocals).

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon buy CD music WALKING MAN marked James Taylor's 1974 return from the first of many sabbaticals that would dot his long recording career. Sweet Baby James had stepped up from blue jeans and work shirts; both Taylor's sound and songwriting had matured. The production is precise and manicured and always features Taylor's unique guitar style. In the center of each song, resting comfortably upon that trusty old guitar is Taylor's friendly, vulnerable voice. Taylor has an understated way with a lyric but always hits his mark, which is the listener's heart. WALKING MAN features the golden autumn melancholy of the title track and "Let It All Fall Down," a rumination on the rapid unraveling of both Richard Nixon's presidency and what was perhaps the last delicate layer of the country's innocence (the record was released in the spring of 1974, by late summer Nixon had resigned). Also included is the tender lullaby "Daddy's Baby," written in honor of Taylor's newly born daughter Sarah. Joining James on "Rock and Roll Is Music Now" is his then-wife, pop chanteuse Carly Simon and friends Paul and Linda McCartney. McCartney was reprising a guest appearance he made on Taylor's very first record, released in 1968 on the Beatles' Apple label. Composer: James Taylor . Personnel: James Taylor (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, background vocals); James Taylor ; Hugh McCracken (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica); George Marge (oboe); Kenny Ascher (piano, electric piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals); Andy Muson (bass instrument); Ralph MacDonald, Ralph McDonald (percussion); Peter Asher (background vocals); Linda McCartney, Carly Simon (vocals, background vocals); David Spinozza (guitar, electric guitar); Gene Orloff (strings); George Young (saxophone, alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kenny Berger (saxophone, baritone saxophone); Alan Rubin, Randy Brecker (trumpet); Peter Gordon (French horn, horns); Barry Rogers (trombone); Howard Johnson (tuba); Don Grolnick (piano, organ, keyboards); Ralph Schuckett (Clavinet, keyboards); Rick Marotta (drums, background vocals); Paul McCartney (background vocals). Recording information: HIt Factory (01/1974-04/1974). Unknown Contributor Roles: Paul McCartney; Linda McCartney; Carly Simon. Arrangers: James Taylor ; David Spinozza.