Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits (Rpkg)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this CD since it had 2 songs I wanted not on last year's Best Of (the 1976 version of Something in the Way She Moves and the album version of Country Roads). Since this was just released last month I assumed it was remastered (they had already remastered most of these songs for the Best Of). Well, it was not remastered - what a rip-off. Shame on you Warner Bros. Stick with last year's Best Of, and stay away from all those other recently released Greatest by Warner, like Doobie Bros, Carly Simon, etc (I bet they're not remastered either).

When James Taylor wrapped up his years with Warner Brothers records in 1976, that label promptly issued a greatest hits CD that remains one of the label's biggest sellers. Issued one of the RIAA's earliest "Diamond" certifications, this album has sold over ten million copies and remains available to this day. It's a time-capsule of Taylor's early work, spotlighting the years of sensitive singer-songwriters and his calm, soothing voice.

Staring with re-recorded versions of his Apple Records songs "Carolina In My Mind" and "Something In The Way She Moves" and a previously unreleased live version of "Steamroller Blues," this was Taylor before he became a staple on the summer festival circuit and a cover-er of oldies (although his version of "How Sweet It Is" is included here). There's a lot to be said for the simple pleasures of this collection, be it the warm reading of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend" (with Joni Mitchell on back-up vocals, it won Taylor his first Grammy) or the confessional "Fire and Rain."

After this, Taylor would be come more the studious professional that intimate singer-songwriter, continuing to make solid, if predictable soft-rock albums for CBS. There are two best of's since this one, a Columbia round-up on James Taylor's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 and a full on retrospective on The Best of James Taylor (both labels represented, but heavy on the Warners years). The biggest gripe is that this CD has yet to receive a proper remastering, but for the money, it's James Taylor at his best.

Not much more to say about this collection other than classic. The white album cover has always spoke snow white simplistic art to me. I've enjoyed this music in various venues: Concert halls, riding in the car, cleaning house, sitting in a cafe or restaurant, and helping to pass the time at work. I don't know anyone who wouldn't recive this as a gift and not feel loved and blessed. Fire and Rain is deep and emotional, Country Road will transport you on a familiar gravel path walking amongst the birds and trees. Walking Man is fun to sing as a lullabye. Steam Roller rocks to the 'blues' core. Carolina In My Mind weaves a sensory memory...with a holy host of others standin' 'round me, still I'm on the dark side of the moon...and it seems like it goes on like this forever...you must forgive me...if I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind. That line is a nice reference to a verse in Hebrews describing a communion of saints. James Taylor shares musical poetry and we benefit.

Yes, it has some remakes and not. It's classic James Taylor! I love the quality of the MP3 download, and, as with all downloads, it's easy to download, store, organize, and transport. Many years have passed since I had listen to this set of musical pieces, and I am very happy that I have now heard it. I recommend this for all of us who've grown up listening to James Taylor. I give everything a grade, and I give this a solid "A".

A must for James Taylor music lovers...second time I've purchased this one, wore the first one out!

It's hard not to feel your muscles relax listening to this "greatest hits" CD. James Taylor's voice is so well matched to his music, it's like the epitome of the easy listening genre. It's great to have all this excellent music collected onto a single inexpensive album, too!

The sound quality is excellent, but there are only 12 songs, and not all of them should be included as greatest hits. I would have left off "Walking Man" and "Something in the Way She Moves", neither of which were singles hits. And I would have included songs like "Long Ago and Far Away" and "Mockingbird", both top 40 singles hits.

Be advised that "Steamroller" is a live version, albeit a good one.

For a 2004 issue, this CD should have "Volume One" included in the title.

FYI: I'm a record collector of 55 years and a sometimes deejay.

I like James Taylor and here are all his hits. I really enjoyed this CD.
A good value.

I bought this CD because of "Carolina In My Mind" but was pleasantly surprised that I remember most of the other songs as well. When going gets tough, it's fun to play music from another, perhaps more romantic, time. James Taylor's voice, to me, is very soothing.

I remember listening to James Taylor as a teenager, sitting in the back seat of my 1965 GTO. I always knew that once he started to sing a kiss wasn't far behind. I received my three CDs, placed them in my car player and sure enough within a short time everyone of those sweet moments came rushing back. James Taylor is almost as great as those first few kisses. I would recomend all of the CDs to anyone wanting to remember those great times in their life.