Customer Reviews

Listen With James

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

 

 

Beware! If you're buying this CD to hear the three "rare" tracks (Everyday, The Letter and You're the One I Love) that don't appear on any other JT release, please note that these are NOT performed by James Taylor! The song Everyday is NOT JT's cover of the Buddy Holly tune, it is a different song, and these 3 tunes are performed by an unknown (mediocre) singer whom I cannot identify at all. The remaining 6 tracks can be found on the "Original Flying Machine" CD, rendering this CD release completely useless.

While visiting a store in British Columbia, I came across a JT album that I had never seen. I was so excited to think that I had run across some rare or unreleased songs by one of my favorite artists! The title of the CD I purchased is The Letter, but it has the exact same song list as Listen With James. I agree wholeheartedly with the previous reviewer who says to AVOID buying this CD. When the first song came on, I thought that there must be some mistake. By the time I had heard three songs, I was mad. The first three songs on this album are definitely NOT SUNG BY JAMES TAYLOR! This album was produced by Prestige Elite Records Ltd out of Holland in 2005 and distributed by United Audio Entertainment Ltd. It shows a modern-day photo of JT and the entire packaging is deceiving. How can they get away with this type of misrepresentation?

I knew there was something odd about this CD when I first listened to it. It wasn't until I had a conversation with my husband who definitely recognized James' guitar playing that I realized what was going on. I was really excited to learn that it was Kootch who was singing on the album and anyone who knows about James Taylor's beginnings and his relationship with Kootch would be excited too.

This CD is actually James Taylor's first recordings with The Original Flying Machine (original album on Euphoria Records pre-eponymous Apple record) way back in 1967. Some songs (strange sequencing being it is the first three tracks that are non-JT lead vocals) are sung and/or written by Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar (although JT's guitar is impossible to miss even on those cuts). Interestingly, it is those cuts that make this a collector's gem (for those who might care). The Kortchmar cuts were never included on the original album and were only later available on vinyl on some records that were of dubious origin. For those who would want them (collectors/complete-ists) some of these songs are actually pretty hard to find on CD. I myself would have preferred it was called James Taylor And The Original Flying Machine for clarity and to keep from upsetting the masses.

I likewise bought this CD thinking it was a new release from James Taylor, such given the release date on the back of the case (2005). Now I learn it is not only not new but most of the songs aren't even sung by Taylor. The mix on the individual songs is terrible. I'm just lucky I only spent $6 (USD) for the CD. Needless to say, I'm donating it to the local library.