That's Why I'm Here [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

James Taylor

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 1985
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004SVKC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,033 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Albeit Lesser Known James Taylor Classic, November 4, 2000

By	Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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 both of those 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 that album to play before he appeared. The rest, as they say, is history.

This particular album, "That's Why I'm Here", is also a fantastic folk album, and shows a different aspect of his talents in that he is much more somber, reflective, and open about his own uncertainties and personal troubles in the songs he sings, and in the delivery as well. But a number of my James Taylor favorites are here, including a spare and lean version of "Only A Dream In Rio", a terrific cover of Buddy Holly's "Everyday", and a lovely cover of an old Gene Pitney hit, Liberty Valance". I also like the title cut of "That's Why I'm Here", along with a number of the other songs included here. His performance here is a brilliant indication of just how incredibly talented an interpretive artist Taylor really is, transforming these songs, which are always delivered in that distinct and unique James Taylor style, complete with indelible guitar accompaniments and haunting, suggestive vocals oozing with heartfelt sincerity. This is a lesser album only in the sense that many of the works are unusually spare and folksy, but it is certainly a terrific showcase for how well Taylor can deliver on a variety of original works and covers of traditional folk songs. Enjoy

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine, April 15, 2003

By	Mercy Bell - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fine, enjoyable album that is, regarding the songs, consistently very high quality. Taylor's songwriting on this is mainly relaxed, melodic, and generally comforting; a lot of generally upbeat, genuinely down to earth, and lyrically creative ballads that reflect on [his] life.

I have to say I love all the songs on this album except for "Mona" and "Limousine Driver". Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with it on a road trip from San Diego to the Bay Area as a kid and still love it, and I suppose that's the perfect description of what this album is. It doesn't contain any songs as powerful as "Fire and Rain" or of the same touching quality as "Sweet Baby James", but it's a wonderfully crafted and grown up album that is quintessentially James Taylor.

Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps That's Why We Are All Here, May 22, 2006

By	Katherine Graham "Katherine Graham" (Sparta, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It was almost 15 years ago, that I first heard this 'album' on audio cassette tape, & was completely blown away. Everyone has their favorite JT Audio CDs for different reasons and I repect that. But for me, I had just given birth to a newborn son. As I listened to this album's first track, I picked up my infant son and sang this album to him from beginning to end. Tracks like "That's Why I'm Here" (thinking 'yes, my son, that's why I am here') & "Only One" ('yes, my son, you are my only one'). Even "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" (brilliantly arranged & produced) helped me to believe that this tiny "creature" might one day turn out to be a testament of truth & courage (on his part, certainly, not mine). Of course, you need not be a parent to buy this Masterpiece CD - just OPEN to the idea of being there for another and willing to give it your all-in-all. Bottomline - this is an Audio CD everyone should own especially if you need a lift, so to speak, out of fear, despair, depression, and surrender. JT shows you how via spectacular music alone. I don't believe it gets any better than this.