Customer Reviews

October Road

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It's always presumptuous to write anything about great music...you need to listen to it to understand. But this latest effort by someone whose skills don't need too much explanation is worth the wait since "Hourglass".

Lots of the familiar in the work, but not formula riffs or chord progressions...not just old favorites remixed or rewritten. If you would like some deeper insight into some of the places and themes that you'll find in "October Road", then maybe you should read at least one biography of the artist...it's well worth the time.

You can sometimes hear the ocean or feel the movement of a ship in this music. You can detect the air getting a bit cooler as autumn approaches. Some of the tracks may stir feelings of sadness or longing, but there are other songs to lighten your heart as well.

The lyrics range from the roguishly clever to the outright nostalgic. Musically, you can expect the very fine production and sound quality that we've grown accustomed to when James Taylor shares his special gifts with us.

But aside from such "mundane" technical considerations, "October Road" is another wonderful work from an artist who pays particular attention to lyrical and musical excellence....and who understands a great deal about the fall of the year.

"October Road" is one of those typical JT albums like "Hourglass" that at first you go huh? You think to yourself when you first listen to the album that you don't hear a memorable song. But then as you are outside doing yardwork or maybe just walking along, one of the songs such as "September Grass" or "Whenever Your Ready" suddenly pops into your head and then you think to yourself that it's actually a pretty good song and/or album.
For those who have not heard "Sailing to Philadelphia" which he first sang with Mark Knopfler, formally of Dire Straits, on Knopfler's album of the same title, it is well worth buying the bonus cd, because this is the best song of the bunch. Not to say that "September Grass" and the other songs on the album aren't fine, but "Sailing to Philadelphia" is one of the most relaxing songs I know.
This is a cd that I found I could put the repeat button on and listen to it a few times over and not get sick of hearing the same songs over and over again. It offers a nice mix of James although there are no real stir you up songs like "Sweet Potato Pie" or "Steamroller" except for maybe "Belfast To Boston" which is in a way a stir you up song but it is done very mellowy. The album is more of the modern James, and you can hear the influences of his classical background on quite a few of the songs.
The only two songs I did not like were "Mean Old Man" which I found annoying, and pardon my Grinchness, but I am sick of hearing remakes of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" even if they are done by JT. Unlike "You've Got A Friend", or "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" which were remakes of someone else's songs that sounded very different then the originals, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is not very new sounding. Overall I found this album to be a nice addition to my JT collection. -Wesley Spahr

Let me first say I was a little leary about buying this CD. Despite all the hype and praise that was piled on his last effort 'Hourglass', I personally felt (with the exception of the song 'Another Day') that album was a misstep. It seemed like a very forced effort. For example, the single 'A Little More Time with you' seemed like a half-hearted attempt by JT to write a hit song to please his label. It was nice to see JT receive the praise he did, but I felt it was for the wrong album.

That being said...'October Road' is JT back to his true form. What a great collection of songs. Lyrically, melodically, and production wise this album really shines. This could be remembered as one of his best that gets better with every listen.

There's only two songs that seem a little out of place in the collection..'Mean Old Man', which sounds like something he would perform on one of his Symphonic Tours next to 'Paper Moon' or 'Getting To Know You' and the closer 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'...kind of an odd choice for the last track on an album released in August. (Maybe they should have put that track on the bonus disc in the limited edition package??)

The other 10 tracks on this album are fantastic. Producer Russ Titleman adds little touches to each song that really compliments them and sets them apart individually. From the slide guitar by Ry Cooder on 'October Road' to the vocal processing on 'Baby Buffalo'.

'October Road' was well worth the wait. Do yourself a favor..don't be leary. Definitely pick it up.

What makes this album one of his greatest since his "J.T." album is the colaborative effort between James and his Producer Russ Titelman. Russ, you'll remember, also was Co-Producer with Lenny Warronker on his best two albums "Gorilla" and "In The Pocket" in the mid 70's and hasn't sat in the Producer's chair since those days. We're glad he's back. Mainly because he's brought James' guitar back into the fore front of his songs and has also convinced him to sing backup harmonies on the majority of his songs - very reminiscent of his earlier albums (especially "Gorilla" and "In The Pocket").

Three classics right off the bat are "September Grass," "October Road," and "Traveling Song." All are solid melodies, with generous use of harmonies that weave in and out of James' sweet lead vocal and his backup band. Daughter Sally sounds great with James on "Traveling Song" which is one of my favorite tunes on the album. James' guitar arrangement of "September Grass" is vintage James Taylor work. It feels like a continuation of those classic albums. Dave Grusin (who wrote and played all the music from the movie "On Golden Pond") was brought in to create all the orchestral and string arrangements throughout the album. Dave does such an amazing job complementing James' songs its a wonder that he had never been tapped before this project to be a part of James' studio world.

"Mean Old Man" sounds like an old 40's standard and is a great message about change and that even the meanest old "cuss" can morph into a loveable "puppy dog." It seems to do a nice job preparing us for the great rendition he does to close the album with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

All in all, the "October Road" experience is a refreshing return to a familiar equation that worked so well in his early recording days - James's voice, his guitar and a few really talented family members and friends musically in the pocket on simple songs that comment on James' interesting life.

Definitely a must have!!!

At his concerts, JT often pokes fun at the fact that his fans hate new songs. He'll say, "Here's a new one," and when there is an audible signal of disappointment, such as an "Awwww," JT will respond, "I know -- I hate new songs too, but they sound just like all the old ones."

So it is always hard to put a new James Taylor cd in the stereo for the first time since you're so used to all of the classics. But this one only took a couple of listenings before I added it to my permanent cd repertoire. I play it nearly every day. My favorite tracks are "September Grass" and "Traveling Star." The only one that I am not too crazy about is "Belfast to Boston," but it is growing on me, so we'll see...

As the producer of the album states, James is at the height of his powers. His voice has NEVER been better than it is right now. And this album has more of a guitar focus than other more recent ones, so he also displays his formidable guitar skills. This cd is an instant classic for people of all generations.

Now how do we convince the man to record and release a Christmas album?

Like a fine wine, James Taylor just gets better and better as the years go by. "October Road" finds JT in top form here both musically and vocally. In the past 15 years it seems as though each recording he has released is better than the last. And I didn't think there was any way he could ever top "Hourglass", one of my favorite recordings of all time. But once again James Taylor proves me wrong. "October Road" is a feast for the ears, and definitely worth the wait. The acoustic guitar is featured prominently throughout the songs on this CD (just the way true JT fans like it) and along with his signature voice is as beautiful as ever. "September Grass", "October Road", and "On The 4th Of July", the first 3 songs on the CD, show what James Taylor, with little more than an acoustic guitar, bass, and percussion can do with a song. And that is prove that this singer-songwriter is back and better than ever. "Whenever You're Ready" then takes over and is the kind of song that JT fans love get up in concert and dance to. To make a long review short, I believe the next 8 songs are also destined to become JT "classics". I also highly recomend the "Limited Edition" CD with 3 extra tracks and multimedia for the computer. Can't wait for the tour and thank you James Taylor for another round of great music.

Like most of those taking the time to read this, I am a huge JT fan and have every one of his albums. I'm such a fan I have the tendency to lie and say this album is awesome but its not. Its just nice. Just hearing JT's voice is like hearing from an old friend (especially since he has become famous with his shyness and disinterest in having us hear about him through the spoken word), but none of these songs moved me in a way that Fire and Rain or Secret of Life or Like Everyone She Knows (or so many others) did. It's a nice CD. I'll listen to it for a week and then probably go back to his earlier CD's that moved me more. I would never wish him ill, but if he weren't so darn content with his life maybe his songs would be more full of the emotional color that attracted many of us to him in the first place.

Over 35 years have passed since I first heard the warm, vibrant, smooth sound of James Taylor's voice and acoustic guitar. This artist just keeps getting better. Like a fine wine he mellows with age. After a five year hiatus from recording, Taylor is back with this extraordinary CD, "October Road." After listening to this fantastic album I can assure you it has been well worth the wait.

The album's first cut, the wonderfully romantic "On The 4th Of July," tells the story of how he and his new wife met and fell in love during that Independence Day a few summers ago: "And the smell of the smoke/And the lay of the land/And the feeling of finding one's heart in one's hand/And the tiny tin voice/Of the radio band/Singing "Love must stand"/Love forever and ever must stand." "September Grass" is another great song, about love and the changing seasons, and is one of my favorite cuts. Not all the selections are love songs, however. "Belfast To Boston" addresses the age-old strife in Ireland - a haunting prayer for peace and forgiveness. "Whenever You're Ready" is upbeat jazzy with a Brazilian touch, terrific background horns and the sound of Taylor whistling at the song's close. "Raised Up Family" showcases Taylor's love for vintage soul and "Caroline I See You" is a deeply moving ballad. Taylor's daughter Sally sings background vocals on "Traveling Star" and "Baby Buffalo." "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," a melancholy, unusual arrangement with Larry Goldings on piano, John Pizzarelli on guitar, and Harry Allen on tenor sax, was recorded right after 9/11 and it is the most beautiful version I have ever heard.

James Taylor is one of my favorite musicians of all time. If you like/love/enjoy his music, you will find this CD well worth the price. It's GREAT!
JANA

The new James Taylor CD, October Road, is bound to be a classic. Songs like "Whenever You're Ready" and "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are bound to get a lot of air-play on the radio, but long-time fans will go for the more subtle stuff, like "4th of July" or "Carry Me On My Way". But the quirkier personal songs, like "Baby Buffalo" and "My Traveling Star" are the ones stuck in my head. If you're a die-hard JT fan, you'll love every note. If you vaguely remember "Fire & Rain", you'll still find this to be an amazing work. Lots of variety, intelligent lyrics and, as always, beautiful music. Good job, JT.

Being a very big James Taylor fan, I was looking forward to this new release. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold up to his previous work. Sure, the classic JT days are gone, but "Hourglass" was an incredible album, from beginning to end. There are only 4 or 5 noteworthy songs on the "October Road" cd, but the 3 bonus songs that are contained on the 2nd disc of the "Limited Edition" are worth it, especially the awesome tune "Sailing To Philadelphia" a duet with Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler. "October Road" starts out strong, but in the middle it can put you to sleep. "Whenever You're Ready" just flat out annoys me and "Mean Old Man" is a bit [weak]. But hey, I did buy it :) I'm a fan so it's still worth having.