Customer Reviews

3-Way Mirror

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Livingston Taylor is an original, and his CD "Three-Way Mirror" shows why. He's been accused of imitating his famous brother when singing and playing the guitar; however, this is more an accident of genetics and shared influences than it is a conscious effort (...). Both Liv and James have that, as Liv describes it, "buttery Tayloresque voice." Liv particularly shines on the hit single "I Will Be In Love With You" and "Going Round One More Time" (which JT covered on his "Hourglass" CD). He's his own man. This is not "Fire and Rain" played sideways; this is Livingston Taylor.

Incidentally, just to REALLY clear things up, Liv is alive and well. Alex Taylor, James and Liv's older brother, tragically passed away a few years back, and his passing is alluded to in "Enough To Be On our Way" on JT's "Hourglass."

James Talylor's brother, Livingston, demonstrates many of the musical styles that his brother expresses in his music. For those new to Liv's music this is a good CD to start with. His songs are personal, fresh and draw upon his life in a "soft" rather than harsh way. His brother James often assists in Liv's productions and his influence and assistance is noticeable on this CD. The title "Going 'round one more time" is a JT cover done in Liv's unique style. I knew Liv many years ago and his maturation of musical style has been very interesting. Contrast this CD with Carolna Day and you can understand what I mean. A wonderful CD for hanging around the house on a rainy day.

This CD is a good one to start with if you are not familiar with his work. The music is not flowery or too sappy. He definitely has his own "sound" If you like Dan Fogelberg or Seals & Crofts you will like this one too. Liv's tales are never boring.

The reviewer who said "LT should be a Las Vegas Lounge Singer" is WAY off the mark. By the way, there are some GREAT musicians playing in lounges in LV. Let me speak up for a fellow recording artist. First, just because his brother is the legendary James Taylor does not mean that LT's music should be comparable or similar. It isn't JT but is still great in its own right. The compositions and performances are first rate, I find LT's vocals to be full of human feeling and emotion as are his compositions whether joyous ("I Will Be In Love With You" and "LA Serenade") or melancholy ("Train Off The Track"). Other stand out tunes include "Going Round One More Time". The recording and production by Nick DeCaro are first rate. As a composer and recording artist (Epic/Sony and Polydor), I find this analog recording a refreshing change from modern digital, computer enhanced, record company micromanaged productions. If you want to hear what a good analog recording sounds like, this is a prime example. The sound is big and warm and is centered around a great artist performing great songs. It sounds as good in 2008 as it did in 1978, maybe even better.

The review below says that Livingston Taylor "sadly is no longer here..." which implies the man has departed? I can tell you he is still alive and well. He was just on The View on January 20th...was he a ghost? hmmm.... At any rate, buying a record because you think the artist will sound like someone else, just because they share similar DNA, doesn't seem like a solid reason to explore new music. The guy's got his own sound, and the songwriting is good. He's not James Taylor, and you shouldn't buy this if you want a new James Taylor record. [But, from what I hear, James' son sounds a lot like him, so you may want to look into that.]

Sorry folks, but this album sounds like 1) a pale imitation of his brother James and 2) a lounge singer straining to stay in tune. The song writing is insipid and bland. I am a James Taylor fan and thought I'd give this a try. Doesn't work - found most of the songs unimaginative and trite and often LT sounds out of key. Save your money and buy something else.