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Personnel: James Taylor (vocals, guitar); Danny Kortchmar (guitar); Red Rhodes (steel guitar); Chris Darrow (fiddle); Jack Bielan (brass); Carole King (piano); Randy Meisner, John London, Bobby West (bass instrument); Russ Kunkel (drums). Recording ... Full Descriptioninformation: Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, California (12/1969).
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.Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.120) - Ranked #103 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "[A] model of folk-pop healing music." Hide Description James Taylor Sweet Baby James Songs Purchase Sweet Baby James CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart
Sweet Baby James Music Review Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)   Classic JT
This early album by James Taylor is sweet. Fire and Rain is the star of the album but many other early gems are there too.
Submitted by Ray (San Francisco, CA USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Awesome
This is possibly my favorite album. Ever. I have been listening to JT for eight years. The country-folk rock acoustic music just plays on my emotions like nothing else.
Submitted by Paul (Hampden, ME)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Beautiful music!
That simple. This is just a really harmonic, well done, and beautiful album!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO)
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