Greatest Hits - Taylor, James (Popular) (CD 1987)

This CD is a great collection of some classic songs from a great songwriter. So why did I give this CD only 4 stars? Essentially when it comes down to it, I just get bored by JT's style at times. He has a very slow and steady 70's type feel, that I just find very boring at times. However, the vast majority of the time, this is the kind of music that makes me want to sing along to it. I remember riding in the car with my Mom on the way to the daycare and back home every day and she always had it on the oldies radio station that would play this type of music. So a lot of this music brings back great memories for me of singing along with my Mom. This CD by the way is one of the most popular ever released by Warner Brothers, having sold 11 million copies already and more every day.

So what do I think of the tracks on this collection. My favorite song is probably the classic "You've Got A Friend" which Carole King does a great job with. This is the song you've heard a million times, but I still like it the lyrics are simple and yet so very hopeful. Of course "Carolina In My Mind" is another great song about a man who wants to be somewhere else badly. I've had this feeling many a time, and this song seems to relay that feeling better than any other song I can think of. "Sweet Baby James" is an elegant lullaby, originally written to JT's nephew, with some absolutely beautiful lyrics. "Mexico" is a great song that has also been sung by Jimmy Buffet and JT's version isn't much different, maybe a little slower than the way Buffet sings it.

If you like JT you might want to check out Appalachian Journey. A classical project by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O'Connor which combines Appalachian folk music with classical continental stylings. JT sings the classic "Hard Times Come Again No More" which is very reminiscent of some of the songs on this CD. And of course if you like the great songwriting ability of JT I'd also recommend anything by Simon and Garfunkel, I'd probably start with their Greatest Hits album as well, I think in many ways they are more complex and more interesting than James' work.

Overall this is a delightful CD that is sure to bring back memories for anyone who is over the age of 20. I highly recommend that you check it out.