Customer Reviews

James Taylor And The Original Flying Machine

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

 

 

This first album of James Taylor's shows us exactly why his career has been so very successful. The work is raw--and that is a good thing. To listen to it is like being in the attic with James Taylor and The Original Flying Machine while they were recording it. You'll find that the CD is over far too quickly, and you'll listen to it again and again. "Knockin' Around the Zoo" is sung twice in its entirety by both James Taylor and producer Danny Kortchmar. "Night Owl" is a classic JT song which appears again on later LP's and was also later recorded by Carly Simon. This album is a MUST HAVE for any JT fan.

This historical artifact captures Taylor on the verge of his "dark period" which provided the foundation for his career. The good news is that it's now available on CD, but there's bad news as well. The first two tracks are re-recordings utilizing contemporary studio musicians, and they're just awful. Clearly, Taylor, nor mentor and producer, Peter Asher, had any involvement with this exercise in bad taste, and the results are beyond redemption. Also, as these demo tracks had been available in previous formats, additional tracks found on these releases have been left off. Considerations aside, the majority of "Flying Machine" finds Taylor and buddy, Kootch, having an audibly wonderful time, and stands as a bare-bones sidebar to Taylor's first release on Capitol.

Okay, it might not be the "highest quality" sound we've come to expect from modern day CD's, but this is the first works of JT. The first couple of tracks leave a lot to be desired since they've been redone with new "pop" sounding beats. They're okay, but luckily the originals are at the end of the CD.

If you truly are a JT afficiando, this MUST be in your library. Definitely buy it. It's raw and unedited in some instances, giving the listener a "backstage" feel, almost as if you're listening in on a rehearsal. This is more than just a CD. It's a brief look through a window into the past and the beginning of a music legend.

BUY IT!

Cheers,

Spencer!

The first line from the first song says it all "Hi Mom, Hi Dad, This is our first record". The album has a wide variety of songs, from classical JT blues/rock to instrumental ballads. Many or the songs are a bit rough, and there are several recording stumbles, retakes, directions to the band from the producer, and such. A couple of the songs have been re-recorded on later JT albums, but I always felt the first attempt was the best. Backups by Carole King on some songs (album was produced about the same time as Tapestry). If you're a JT fan, you'll love it.

Having owned the original 1971 Euphoria album, I was elated to see a reissue of one of James Taylors best efforts. Yes they were demo tapes of sorts, but they were really good demos, especially KOOTCH'S SONG. Listen to that cut and compare it to SHOWER THE PEOPLE or the remake of HANDY MAN.
These 1967 songs were serious. Also they had cool studio banter between cuts and great bass sound. KNOCKIN'AROUND THE ZOO on this album is way better than Peter Asher's clunky production that was redone for Apple Records in 1968. This is the gem.
Also the album, which was relatively short, was cut by RCA with their Dynagroove technology so it really made those demos really sound fantastic and big.
I couldnt wait till I got this Gadfly reissue in my hands because now I'm a step closer to the master tape.
First, there's a goofy remake with a stupid drum machine of NIGHT OWL. Why?????
Then the sound of the CD is as if it was taken from a cassette of the record. I dont know for sure, but that's how it comes off. But beyond that they decide to EDIT PARTS OUT of the studio banter so the CD is NOT a representation of the original vinyl. Why?????
The album was only 25 min. long or so to begin with. And then there is another goofy remake on there.
I actually wrote Gadfly a letter about it and they never answered. I know I'm not supposed to care in this MP3 world were in but I do. This reissue is a nice try and good enough for some but not for me.

The Flying Machne is JT's first release before he signed up to the Apple record label.

Comparing the album sound quality to other early recordings, this one is a bit below average unfortunately. However, you get an idea of the superstar voice that was to emerge years later.

A must have CD to start the JT journey...

The intro in Knocking 'Round The Zoo (Intro) rules, this beat and the guitar together makes this album unique. listen and have fun.

This is one of my favorite recordings, and I'm still mad the my former friend Stevie the Mooch "borrowed" it and never gave it back. There's a reason, though. This is one of those recordings that shows you the kernel of an artist's talent, including some goofy out-takes and the most relaxed studio-outtake laugh on record. "Knockin' Round the Zoo" shows that Taylor talent for taking a wrenching topic (being institutionalized) and juxtaposing it with an innocent melody that suggests he's really only talking about a trip to the zoo with Barney and friends. "Rainy Day Man" displays the silky voice that would later endear him to the soft-rock public, and become such a trademark that parody was inevitable. This record has that unpretentious freeform feel of a Tuesday night at the local coffeehouse, and a blissed-out atmosphere that may have been herbally or otherwise induced, and it's fun to pull out when people are over and see if they notice who the performer is. This almost-demo shows that in some primordial way, "JT" started out as the stoned-hippy counterpoint to Tom Waits' sardonic barfly persona. A fun, unassuming record, more edgy and much less cloying than some of his later work, which I can admire mostly from a distance.

If you like James Taylor, then you must buy this CD.