Customer Reviews

Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was lucky enough to first see James Taylor live in a small outdoor venue called Avaloch in rural Lenox, Massachusetts in the summer of 1970, after this first album recorded by the Beatles in London had been released and just before the release of the fabulously successful "Sweet Baby James" album by Warner Brothers. He appeared alone on-stage with a full head of long, long hair in a simple denim shirt and cut-up jeans with his four or five acoustic guitars, and for two and a half hours proceeded to absolutely enchant the sprawling lawn-full of hundreds of audience members with a spellbinding performance of all of the work from his first two albums. Although virtually unknown at the time, word of mouth had spread so quickly in the Berkshires area (who still considers him one of their own) that many of us went out to get this album to play before he appeared. The rest, as they say, is history.

This is his third time at bat, and this particular album showcases his truly amazing talents with a number of unforgettable songs like "You've Got A Friend', written by Carol King, "Mudslide Slim", and "Love Has Brought Me Around". It also shows a different aspect of his talents in that he has a wider selection of different types of songs, ranging all the way from a somber, reflective, and overtly political song like "Soldiers' to reflections about his newfound fame in "Hey Mister, That's Me Up On The Jukebox" to a lovely love song , "You Can Close Your Eyes". He has a number of short, sweet, and reflective songs like "Long Ago And Far Away", "Isn't It Nice to Be Home Again?", and "Places In My Past" that show just how durable and prolific an artist he had become. His performance on this third album is brilliant proof of just how incredibly talented an interpretive artist Taylor really is, suggesting the long, fabled ride in popularity he has enjoyed ever since. It is certainly a terrific showcase for how well Taylor can deliver on a variety of original works and covers of other contemporary folk songs. Enjoy

This is the first album I bought with my own hard-earned money (back in 1972) and I never grow tired of it. Once you've heard "Long Ago and Far Away" you'll never forget it. It's good to know I'm not the only one who turns to JT for comfort.

Mud Slide Slim is probably my favorite JT album, the one I consistently go back to -- like comfort food. I've listened to the album hundreds of times since I first discovered it in the early eighties, and I still don't think I'll ever tire of hearing it. My album favorites? I guess they'd have to be "You Can Close Your Eyes" and "Long Ago and Far Away." I've even learned to play them in rudimentary fashion on the guitar. Thank you, James, for nearly half a lifetime of musical nourishment for my soul!

A lot of people seem to mention Sweet Baby James as Taylor's finest hour. I disagree. This one is one of the finest albums I've ever heard by anyone. Taylor casts a slight overcast tinge throughout this album yet manages to inject bits of humor and optimism. It never sounds dated because the music is so strong and intelligent. My favorites are Long Ago & Far Away featuring Joni Mitchell, You Can Close Your Eyes, Riding On A Railroad, and Machine Gun Kelly. But you know what? Every song is a James Taylor masterpiece. If you're looking for excellence in the singer-soundwriter vein. This album is the one. It will always have a place in my collection as long as I'm around.

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon was one of those albums that shaped my teenage psyche when it was first released. It expressed through songs like Riding on a Railroad, Highway Song and Let Me Ride, the restlessness of looking for the soul's home. A haunting and delicate weaving of words and music in Long Ago and Far Away still sends chills down my spine, and reminds me how consoling Taylor's songs were and are. No other James Taylor album touches my soul as much as this one, where he articulates a yearning for something not yet known. An absolute must for any music lover's library.

One of my favorite albums of all times. One of the best albums that JT ever made. It's strong. He speaks from the soul. I've listened to it so many times I have it completely memorized. I tend to like his older music much better than his newer tunes. I can't recommend this album strongly enough. Enjoy.

This is James Taylor's best album; I can't believe anyone would give this disc less than 10 stars!

This album is a gestalt: it's a complete, seamless work: each track runs into the next--virtually without a break--not to tell a complete story, exactly, but rather to create a idealist image--an impression: it's the poet Mud Slide Slim thinking about places in his past, long ago and far away; he's also thinking of riding away on a railroad or the highway; but he's got a loving friend to whom he can return again home, and beside whom he can close his eyes with complete comfort. Isn't it nice?

Do you get it?

Others say James Taylor's third album, Mud Slide Slim, surpasses the excellent and more popular Sweet Baby James, and I fully agree. Mud Slide Slim is loaded with depth, creativity, and beauty.... James gives his audience every penny's worth on this classic recording. Taylor's voice and guitar work are tremendous on this effort, plus the accompanying musicians do a fine job.

My favorite songs include You Can Close Your Eyes, Mud Slide Slim, Highway Song, and Long Ago and Far Away, and Hey, Mister, That's me up on the Jukebox. The reality is, however, they're all great tracks on this one.

On Mud Slide Slim, James Taylor speaks to people who have suffered, feel the difficulty of living, and willingly confront the bittersweet quality of existence. He touches and consoles the listener with his songwriting and musical talent. This album showcases his considerable artistic capacity a young man, but the content is still relevant now (30 years later). Mud Slide Slim is worthy of a special place in your c.d. collection.

It really doesn't matter what your musical preferences are - James Taylor is one of the most tasteful and influential artists of our time. Anyone who has ever listened to one of James' recordings can "feel" his music and in my opinion "Mud Slide Slim" embodies his life's work. This soulful album introduced me (seriously) to his work and I have listened to it literally at least a hundred times. Regardless of your mood - happy or sad - "You Can Close Your Eyes" will speak to you - and from then on as many of us have - you will come to love James Taylor!

This is one of the most amazing albums ever made. Some songs teach you about different expierences of life and others tell you a good story and leave it to you to find the moral behind it.