Archive-name: music/james-taylor Last-modified: 1994/4/19 Version: 2.4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for alt.music.james-taylor Version 2.4 April 19, 1994 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= C O N T E N T S: 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview 1.2 New Since the Last Major Revision 2.0 WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION 2.1 JT World Wide Web Page 2.2 JT FTP Site 3.0 BIOGRAPHY/CHRONOLOGY 4.0 WORKS 4.1 Albums 4.1.1 U.S. Albums 4.1.2 Non-U.S. Albums 4.2 Singles 4.3 Work On Other Albums 4.3.1 Solos 4.3.2 Duets, Trios, and Backup 4.3.3 Other Compositions 4.4 Videos 4.4.1 Concert Videos 4.4.2 Single-Song Music Videos 4.4.3 Appearances In Other Videos 4.5 Bootlegs 5.0 APPEARANCES 5.1 "Saturday Night Live" 5.2 "The Tonight Show" 5.3 "Sesame Street" 5.4 Concerts on TV 5.5 Radio 5.6 Major Live Performances 5.7 "The Simpsons" 6.0 TOUR INFORMATION 7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY 7.1 Biographies 7.2 Major Articles/Interviews 7.3 Sheet Music and Music Books 8.0 TIDBITS 8.1 "Fire and Rain" 8.2 The Rock In Rio concerts 8.3 "Sweet Baby James" 8.4 "Mona" 8.5 "Suite for 20G" 8.6 Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" 8.7 "Mexico" 8.9 JT/Carly Simon breakup 8.10 JT's Guitars and Pickups 9.0 RELATED ARTISTS 9.1 JT's Siblings 9.1.1 Alex 9.1.2 Livingston 9.1.3 Kate 9.1.4 Hugh 9.2 JT Alumni 9.2.1 Carly Simon 9.2.2 Carole King 9.2.3 Joni Mitchell 9.2.4 Others 10.0 POINTERS 10.1 Where To Find JT's Albums 10.2 Fan Mail 11.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS _________________________________________________________________________ 1.0 I N T R O D U C T I O N 1.1 Overview This FAQ is an attempt to compile some useful information about James Taylor and his music. This FAQ is constantly being expanded, so you'll notice some holes. If you can fill in some of the missing information, please send it along to the address below. Also, if you find any errors, please let me know so I can correct them. -= Joel Risberg =-= jrisberg@garnet.acns.fsu.edu =- 1.2 New Since the Last Major Revision Section: Description: 4.3.2 - Added additional references to JT's work with Joni Mitchell 4.4.1 - Added Telluride Bluegrass Festival video 5.0 - Reorganized to accommodate "The Tonight Show" appearances 5.1 - Added details about "Saturday Night Live" appearances 5.2 - Added details about several "Tonight Show" appearances 5.4 - Added info about "Squibnocket" video's origin on the Disney Channel 5.4 - Added exact date for "Evening at Pops" concert 7.2 - Added _Guitar Extra_ article reference 8.10 - Added tidbits on JT's guitar and pickup preferences 9.2.3 - Added discography for Joni Mitchell 10.2 - Added phone number for Peter Asher Management 2.0 W H E R E T O G E T M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N 2.1 JT World Wide Web Page Users with access to a World Wide Web browser such as Mosaic or Lynx can connect to the JT WWW Home Page for the current FAQ, archive of articles on the newsgroup, lyrics files, GIFs, and sound samples. The URL is: http://garnet.acns.fsu.edu/~jrisberg/JT.html 2.2 JT FTP Site The current FAQ, graphics files, lyrics, and the amj-t newsgroup archive can all be found at the JT FTP site. Be sure to use binary mode for the graphics and sound files. ftp.vcu.edu in pub/misc/music/JT The URL is: ftp://ftp.vcu.edu/pub/misc/music/JT 3.0 B I O G R A P H Y / C H R O N O L O G Y James Vernon Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 12, 1948 His mother's name is Gertrude. His father's is Issac. Brothers: Alex (1947-1992), Livingston (born 1950), and Hugh (b. 1952?) Sister: Kate (b. 1949) All the siblings have recorded albums. JT studied cello before giving it up for the guitar. 1952 - Family moves to Chapel Hill, NC - His father, Dr. Issac Taylor, was the dean of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill medical school. 1953 - JT begins attending Milton Academy outside Boston, but leaves during his junior year. 1960 - JT's parents buy him his first guitar 1963 - JT meets Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar on Martha's Vineyard. - JT and Kootch win a hootenanny contest. - JT and Kootch played folk gigs locally. 1964 - JT joins a band, The Fabulous Corsairs, with brother Alex 1965 - Moves to to New York City - 17-year-old JT spends ten months in McLean Psychiatric Hospital in Massachusetts as a result of depression. His song "Knocking 'Round the Zoo" was inspired by his stay there 1966 - Kootch and Joel O' Brien join JT to form The Flying Machine - Release one single: "Night Owl" / "Brighten Your Night With My Day" - The Flying Machine makes studio recordings. Songs weren't released until 1970 under the title "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine." 1967 - The Flying Machine breaks up 1968 - Began using heroin Probably stopped by the early 1980s - Went to London and recorded demos. Auditions them for record companies. - Introduced to Paul McCartney by Peter Asher and signed to the Beatles' record label, Apple Records. - JT was the first outside artist signed to that label. - "James Taylor" released in U.K. with little commercial success 1969 - Returns to U.S. - Enters Austin Riggs, another mental hospital in Massachusetts, partly due to his heroin addiction - "James Taylor" released in U.S. - Two singles, "Carolina In My Mind / Taking It In" and "Something's Wrong" released. - JT debuts at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. - Breaks both his hands in a motorcycle accident and is forced to stop playing for several months. - Signed to Warner Brothers label and moves to California with Asher. 1970 - "Sweet Baby James" released on Warner Brothers label. - Album went to number one and was a best-seller for two years. - Performs with Joni Mitchell on BBC radio show. Recordings of the show are often bootlegged under the titles "In Perfect Harmony" or "You Can Close Your Eyes." - "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine" released. 1971 - JT on the cover of _Time Magazine_, touted as originator of the "singer/songwriter era" (March 1 issue date). - Appears in film "Two Lane Blacktop", a film "only a whitewall could love," according to one critic - "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" released. - Plays to sold-out audiences in 27-city tour 1972 - Wins Grammy, "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male" for "You've Got A Friend." Song also earns Carole King the "Song of the Year" Grammy. - Marries Carly Simon -- son Ben and daughter Sarah from that marriage. Sarah is the subject of his song "Sarah Maria." - "One Man Dog" released 1974 - "Walking Man" released - "Mockingbird" duet with C. Simon released as a single (million-seller) and on Simon's "Hotcakes" album. 1975 - "Gorilla" released 1976 - "In the Pocket" released - "Greatest Hits" released (goes platinum) - Leaves Warner Brothers for Columbia Records 1977 - "JT" released on CBS label (goes platinum) - Produces and performs for Kate Taylor's single "It's In His Kiss." 1978 - Wins "Best Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy for "Handyman." - Peter Asher wins "Producer of the Year" Grammy - JT produces and performs on Kate Taylor's self-titled album. 1979 - Wrote "Millworker," "Brother Trucker," and a the music for a third song for the Broadway musical "Working." - "Flag" released. Included recordings of "Millworker" and "Brother Trucker." - Performed at a series of 5 antinuclear concerts called "MUSE/No Nukes". See section 5.5 for more information. 1981 - "In Harmony" Sesame Street album wins "Best Children's Recording" Grammy. - "Dad Loves His Work" released - Live performance at Fox Theater in Atlanta broadcast nationally on radio. - Plays role of truck driver in PBS TV production of "Working." - Month-long tour of Far East with shows in ten cities. 1982 - Divorces Carly Simon 1985 - Performs at Rock in Rio concert in Brazil Song "Only a Dream In Rio" inspired by this visit - "That's Why I'm Here" released - "Live In Rio" released by Columbia Brasil - Performs at first Moscow Rock festival. Highlights shown on Showtime cable network. - Second marriage to Kathryn Walker in New York City. - Plays five Italian cities in 2-week tour. 1986 - Two-week tour of Australia. - Five-week tour of Europe. - Two-week tour of Brazil. 1988 - "Never Die Young" released - Two-week Australian tour. 1991 - "James Taylor" re-released on tape and CD by EMI - "New Moon Shine" released 1993 - "James Taylor (LIVE)" released 4.0 W O R K S 4.1 Albums 4.1.1 U.S. Albums "James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine" -- Recorded 1966-67, released 1970 - Euphoria Reference #: Z4RS-1335 (vinyl) Not available on CD Songs: Rainy Day Man Knocking 'Round the Zoo (lead vocal by JT) Something's Wrong Night Owl Brighten Your Night With My Day Kootch's Song (Danny Kortchmar) Knocking 'Round the Zoo (lead by Kortchmar) "James Taylor" -- 1968 - Apple Records Remastered and re-released on CD and tape by EMI Records in 1991 Reference #: CDP 7975772 (U.S.) / SAPCOR3 (U.K.) Songs: Don't Talk Now Something's Wrong Knocking 'Round the Zoo Sunshine Sunshine Taking It In Something In the Way She Moves Carolina In My Mind Brighten Your Night With My Day Night Owl (later recorded by Carly Simon) Rainy Day Man Circle Round the Sun The Blues Is Just a Bad Dream "Sweet Baby James" -- 1970 - Warner Brothers Records Reference #: 1843-2 Songs: Sweet Baby James Lo and Behold Sunny Skies Steamroller Country Road Oh, Susannah Fire and Rain Blossom Anywhere Like Heaven Oh Baby, Don't You Loose Your Lip On Me Suite For 20G "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" -- 1971 - Warner Bros. Reference #: W2 2561 Songs: Love Has Brought Me Around You've Got A Friend Places In My Past Riding On A Railroad Soldiers Mud Slide Slim (with Carole King, Kate Taylor, et al.) Hey Mister, That's Me Up On The Jukebox You Can Close Your Eyes Machine Gun Kelly (with Peter Asher) Long Ago and Far Away Let Me Ride (with Kate Taylor) Highway Song Isn't It Nice To Be Home Again "One Man Dog" -- 1972 - Warner Brothers Reference #: WAR 25933 Songs: One Man Parade (with Carole King, Abigale Haness, and Carly Simon) Nobody But You Chili Dog Fool For You Instrumental I New Tune Back On the Street Again Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Woh, Don't You Know (with Alex and Hugh Taylor) One Morning In May (with Linda Ronstadt) Instrumental II Someone Hymn Fanfare (with Abigail Haness and Carole King) Little David Mescalito (with Carole King and Abigail Haness) Dance Jig "Walking Man" -- 1974 - Warner Brothers Reference #: WAR 2794 Songs: Walking Man Rock 'n' Roll Is Music Now (with Paul and Linda McCartney, Carly Simon, and Rick Marotta) Let It All Fall Down (with McCartneys and Simon) Me and My Guitar (with Peter Asher and Simon) Daddy's Baby (with Carly Simon) Ain't No Song (with Carly Simon and Asher) Hello, Old Friend Migration The Promised Land Fading Away "Gorilla" -- 1975 - Warner Bros. Reference #: 2866-2 Songs: Mexico (with Graham Nash and David Crosby) Music How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - (with Carly Simon) Wandering Gorilla You Make It Easy I Was a Fool To Care Lighthouse (with Nash and Crosby) Angry Blues Love Songs Sarah Maria "In the Pocket" -- 1976 - Warner Bros. Reference #: 2912-2 Songs: Shower the People (with Carly Simon) A Junkie's Lament (with Art Garfunkel) Money Machine Slow Burning Love Everybody Has the Blues Daddy's All Gone Woman's Gotta Have It Captain Jim's Drunken Dream (with Garfunkel) Don't Be Sad 'Cause Your Sun Is Down (with Stevie Wonder) Nothing Like a Hundred Miles (with David Crosby and Graham Nash) Family Man Golden Moments "Greatest Hits" - 1976 - Warner Brothers Reference #: WAR3113 Songs: Something In the Way She Moves (re-recording since debut album) Fire and Rain Carolina In My Mind (re-recording) Country Road You've Got A Friend Shower the People Mexico Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Sweet Baby James How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) Walkin' Man Steamroller Blues (live version) "JT" -- 1977 - CBS Records Reference #: CK 34811 Also available in a new edition on a 24K gold CD with 20-bit recording Reference #: CBS 53787 Songs: Your Smiling Face (supposedly written for JT's friend Judy Collins) There We Are Honey Don't Leave L.A. Another Grey Morning Bartender's Blues (with Linda Ronstadt) Secret O' Life Handyman I Was Only Telling A Lie Looking For Love On Broadway Terra Nova (with Carly Simon) Traffic Jam If I Keep My Heart Out Of Sight "Flag" -- 1979 - CBS Reference #: CD 36058 Songs: Company Man (with Graham Nash) Johnnie Comes Back Day Tripper I Will Not Lie For You Brother Trucker (with Alex Taylor) Is That the Way You Look? B. S. U. R. (with Carly Simon) Rainy Day Man Millworker Up On the Roof Chanson Francaise Sleep Come Free Me "Dad Loves His Work" -- 1981 - CBS Reference #: CBS 37009 Songs: Hard Times (with David Lasley and Arnold McCuller) Her Town Too Hour That the Morning Comes I Will Follow (with Lasley and McCuller) Believe It Or Not Stand And Fight (with Lasley and McCuller) Only For Me (with Lasley and McCuller) Summer's Here Sugar Trade (co-written by Jimmy Buffett) London Town (with Lasley and McCuller) That Lonesome Road (with Peter Asher, Jim Gilstrap, Bernard Ighner, Lasley, McCuller, and Jennifer Warnes) "That's Why I'm Here" -- 1985 - CBS Reference #: CK 40052 Songs: That's Why I'm Here Song For You Far Away Only A Dream In Rio Turn Away Going Around One More Time (written by Livingston Taylor) My Romance (only on CD version) Everyday Limousine Driver Only One (with Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, et al.) Mona The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (with Graham Nash) That's Why I'm Here (reprise) "Never Die Young" -- 1988 - CBS Reference #: CK 40851 Songs: Never Die Young T-Bone Baby Boom Baby Runaway Boy Valentine's Day Sun On the Moon Sweet Potato Pie Home By Another Way Letter In the Mail First Of May "New Moon Shine" -- 1991 - Columbia Reference #: CK 46038 Songs: Copperline Down In the Hole (I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' 'Bout That Shed a Little Light The Frozen Man Slap Leather Like Everyone She Knows One More Go Round Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha Native Son Oh Brother The Water Is Wide "James Taylor (LIVE)" -- 1993 - Columbia Reference #: C2K 47056 Songs: (all new live versions recorded in concert) Disc 1: Sweet Baby James Traffic Jam Handy Man Your Smiling Face Secret O' Life Shed a Little Light Everybody Has the Blues Steamroller Blues Mexico Millworker Country Road Fire and Rain Shower the People How Sweet It Is New Hymn Disc 2: Walking Man Riding On A Railroad Something In the Way She Moves Sun On the Moon Up On the Roof Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight She Thinks I Still Care Copperline Slap Leather Only One You Make It Easy Carolina In My Mind I Will Follow You've Got A Friend That Lonesome Road 4.1.2 Non-U.S. Albums "Classic Songs" -- 1987 - CBS/WEA (Germany) Reference #: iMi10985 (Pastel colors with photo from "JT" album) Reference #: CBS 465643-2 (Australian version with a concert photo instead) Songs: Fire and Rain Mexico You've Got a Friend How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) Carolina In My Mind Something In the Way She Moves Shower the People Sweet Baby James That's Why I'm Here Everyday Up On the Roof Your Smiling Face Her Town Too Handyman Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Only a Dream In Rio "Best Classics" -- ? - ? Reference #: ? Songs: ? "Starbox" -- ? - Alex Imports (Greatest hits collection from Japan) Reference #: ALE 393 Songs: (Note: no new material on this collection) ? "Live In Rio" -- 1985 - Columbia (Brasil) Reference #: 700.060 Songs: Long Ago and Far Away Carolina In My Mind Up on the Roof You've Got A Friend Shower the People Fire and Rain Mexico Walking Man Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Knock on Wood How Sweet it Is 4.2 Singles Carolina In My Mind / Taking It In (3/69) Something's Wrong (7/69) Sweet Baby James / Suite For 20-G (4/70) Fire and Rain / Anywhere Like Heaven (8/70) Carolina In My Mind / Something's Wrong (11/70) Country Road / Sunny Skies (1/71) You've Got A Friend / You Can Close Your Eyes (5/71) Long Ago and Far Away / Let Me Ride (9/71) Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (10/72) One Man Parade / Hymn (2/73) Hymn / Fanfare (3/73) Daddy's Baby / Let It All Fall Down (7/74) Walkin' Man / Daddy's Baby (8/74) How Sweet It Is / Sarah Maria (5/75) Mexico / Gorilla (8/75) Shower the People / I Can Dream of You [written by Liv Taylor] (5/76) You Make It Easy / Woman's Got To Have It (10/76) Handy Man (4/77) 4.3 Work On Other Albums 4.3.1 Solos "A League Of Their Own Soundtrack" JT sang two songs: "Paper Moon" and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" Apparently neither song appeared in the movie. "Second Star To the Right" -- JT sang it on "Stay Awake," a collection of Disney songs (A&M records number 3918) "Jelly Man Kelly" -- Sang it on the 1979 Sesame Street album "In Harmony" Co-written by JT's daughter, Sarah. "Getting To Know You" -- Sang it on "For Our Children," a benefit album for pediatric AIDS research. 4.3.2 Duets, Trios, and Backup - "Perfect Love" -- Cohn/JT duet on Cohn's self-titled album - "Mockingbird" -- Duet with then-wife Carly Simon on her album, "Hotcakes," and also on her Greatest Hits album. A live version appears on the 1979 "No Nukes" album. - "Song of Long Ago" -- Carole King/JT duet on her album, "Music" - 1971 - "The Water is Wide" -- Duet with Karla Bonoff on her 1979 album "Restless Nights" (J. D. Souther sang backup) JT recorded it solo on "New Moon Shine." - "Old Blue" -- With violinist Mark O'Connor on his album "On the Mark" - 1987 - "City Light" -- Duet with brother Livingston on his 1988 album "Life Is Good" - "Back In the High Life" -- JT sang backup for Steve Winwood on this song - Sang and played on Joni Mitchell's 1971 album, "Blue." Also performed on her albums "The Hissing of Summer Lawns," "Dog Eat Dog," and "Wild Things Run Fast." - "Wonderful World" recorded with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in 1978 - "It's In His Kiss" --Duet with sister Kate Taylor on her 1978 album, "Kate Taylor." See section 9.1 below. - "Crying In the Rain" -- Duet with Art Garfunkel on his 1994 album, "Up 'til Now." - "Gonna Work Out Fine" -- Duet with Linda Ronstadt on her album "Get Closer." - "Bartender's Blues" -- Sang backup for George Jones' 1977 cover of JT's own song. - "Devoted To You" -- duet with Carly Simon on her 1978 "Boys In the Trees" album. - Nascimento, Milton (Brazilian artist) -- JT sings backup on his 1994 album, "Angelus." - Young, Neil -- JT sings backup for three songs on his 1992 album, "Harvest Moon." The songs are: "From Hank to Hendrix," "War of Man," and "One of These Days." - King, Carole -- JT plays guitar on her "Writer," "Tapestry," "Music," and "Thoroughbred" albums. - "New Star Shining" -- duet with Ricky Scaggs on his album, "Love's Gonna Get Ya." 4.3.3 Other Compositions - "Millworker," "Brother Trucker," and the music to a third song written for Broadway musical "Working" in 1979. "Millworker" and "Brother Trucker" were later recorded on JT's album, "Flag." - "Slow and Steady" recorded on Kate Taylor's 1978 album "Kate Taylor" 4.4 Videos 4.4.1 Concert Videos "James Taylor in Concert" -- 1979 - Warner Bros. First JT video. Recorded Summer of 1979 at Blossom Music Festival during JT's "Flag" tour. Hard to find, but may still be available in video rental stores. Songs: Blossom Millworker Carolina in my Mind Handyman Brother Trucker Secret 'O Life Your Smiling Face Up on the Roof Steamroller Blues Don't Let Me Be Lonely Long Ago & Far Away I Will Not Lie Walking Man Mexico Honey Don't Leave LA Sweet Baby James How Sweet It Is Summertime Blues Fire and Rain "Ohne Filter Musik Pur" -- 1986 Pioneer Laser Disc Not available on VHS Recording of 1986 appearance on German television program. Approx. 50 min. You Can Close Your Eyes Sweet Baby James Wandering That's Why I'm Here Only A Dream in Rio Handyman Your Smiling Face Traffic Jam Sea Cruise Everyday Only One Fire and Rain How Sweet It Is "James Taylor In Concert" -- 1988 Recorded March 1988 at the Boston Colonial Theater in Boston, MA. Broadcast by PBS. Sony VHS, 69 minutes Songs: Something in the Way She Moves Fire and Rain Your Smiling Face Only One Shower the People How Sweet It Is Up On the Roof Everyday Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Never Die Young Steamroller Carolina in My Mind Sweet Baby James "Squibnocket" -- 1993 Pre-1992 tour covering through "New Moon Shine" VHS, 65 minutes, stereo Songs: Secret Of Life Wandering Traffic Jam (I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' Bout That You've Got A Friend Fire and Rain Sun On the Moon Frozen Man Shed a Little Light Copperline Sweet Baby James Country Road Mexico Your Smiling Face You Can Close Your Eyes (and several interviews) "The Seventeenth Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival" - 1994 Distributor: Pacific Arts Producer: Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Inc. 1-800-624-2422 VHS, 90 mins. Reference #: PAV 857 JT performs "Shower the People," "Sweet Baby James," and "Old Blue." Other artists appearing include: Strength in Numbers, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Mark O'Connor, David Wilcox, Jerry Douglas, Jonathan Edwards, Edgar Meyer, Peter Rowan, The Subdudes, Tom O'Brien, Harvey Reid, and The Left Hand String Band. 4.4.2 Single-Song Music Videos - Her Town Too - Everyday - Only One - Only A Dream In Rio - Never Die Young - Copperline 4.4.3 Appearances In Other Videos - "Nu Nukes" - "In Our Own Hands" - "Moscow Rock Festival" - "Sing Yourself Silly" -- Sesame Street Home Video - 1990 JT performs "Jelly Man Kelly." See section 4.3.1. - "Telluride Bluegrass Festival" -- 1994 - See Section 4.3.1. 4.5 Bootlegs - "In Perfect Harmony" -- Bootleg recording of 1970 BBC radio performance with Joni Mitchell. Also named "You Can Close Your Eyes." See section 5.4. - "Isn't It Nice To Be Home Again" 5.0 A P P E A R A N C E S 5.1 Saturday Night Live (NBC network - U.S.) Mid-October, 1976 - Sang "Shower the People" and "Sweet Baby James." Host: Lily Tomlin 1979 - Sang "Johnnie Comes Back" and "Up On the Roof" Also played small role in a skit as a ship's crewmember. Host: Eric Idle 100th episode special (1980?) - Sang with Paul Simon on "Sunny Skies," "Take Me To the Mardi Gras" (a Simon song), and "Cathy's Clown" (made popular by the Everly Brothers). January 23, 1988 - Sang "Never Die Young," "Sweet Potato Pie," and "That Lonesome Road." Host: Robin Williams December 14, 1991 - Sang "(I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' Bout That," "Shed a Little Light," and "Sweet Baby James." Host: Steve Martin November 13, 1993 - Sang "Memphis" (written by Chuck Berry, 1959), "Slap Leather, and "Secret 'O Life." Also played himself in a skit satirizing a Frank Sinatra duet compilation that had recently been released. 5.2 "The Tonight Show" -- NBC Network (U.S.) Oct. or Nov. 1985 - Host: Gary Shandling JT sang "Only A Dream In Rio" and "Everyday." No interview. February 2, 1988 - Host: Johnny Carson JT sang "Never Die Young" and "Sweet Potato Pie." Interview. October 2, 1991 - Host: Jay Leno JT sang "Copperline" and "Shed A Little Light." Interview. Late 1991 or early 1992 - Host: Johnny Carson JT sang "(I've Got To) Stop Thinkin' Bout That" and "Frozen Man." Interview. August 9, 1993 - Host: Jay Leno JT sang "Country Road" and "Secret O' Life." Interview. 5.3 "Sesame Street" (PBS Network - U.S.) Several appearances on the daily children's television program. On one occasion he sang "Up On A Roof" while on the roof of a building. 5.4 Concerts on TV "Evening at Pops" -- July 16, 1993 - PBS With the Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by John Williams Songs: Secret 'O Life Carolina in My Mind The Water is Wide The Way You Look Tonight Copperline Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Steamroller Blues "Squibnocket" -- April 1992 - Disney Channel Distributed on video tape as "Squibnocket." See section 4.4.1 5.5 Radio 1970 - Performed with Joni Mitchell on BBC radio show. See section 4.5. May 12, 1980 - Performed at anti-nuclear arms rally in Central Park, New York City. Broadcast nationally. 1981 - Performed for a live national radio broadcast from the Fox Theater in Atlanta. 5.6 Major Live Performances 1979 - MUSE/No Nukes concerts - 5 shows from Sept. 18-22 Documentary film, also called "No Nukes, may be available on video. Highlights of the shows at New York's Madison Square Garden were released on a triple album (vinyl) and documentary film, both titled "No Nukes." The show was organized by Musicians United for Safe Energy, which was a founded by JT, Carly Simon, John Hall and Bonnie Raitt. 1984 - Rock in Rio concert Recorded for "Live in Rio" album. See sections 8.2. 1985 - Moscow Rock Festival Excerpts shown on Showtime cable network (U.S.) 5.7 "The Simpsons" - animated weekly series on Fox Network (U.S.) 2/24/94 - JT appeared as himself in an episode centering on Homer Simpson being chosen by NASA for a space mission. JT was called in to calm the frantic crew by singing a couple songs for them over the radio. He started with "You've Got A Friend" and later sang part of "Fire And Rain," at one point changing the lyrics to avoid saying "flying machines in pieces on the ground" since the rocket was expected to burn up on re-entry. Hilarious inside jokes were made in reference to JT's home on Martha's Vineyard and his friendship with Art Garfunkel. When JT suggested a way to save the astronauts and it failed miserably, the NASA head honchos turned on him angrily. His response: "Gotta go." And he did. Look for sampled recordings of JT's appearance on both the Web home page and the FTP site. 6.0 T O U R I N F O R M A T I O N U.S. tour planned for Summer of '94. Watch the newsgroup for updates. 7.0 B I B L I O G R A P H Y 7.1 Biographies None known. 7.2 Major Articles/Interviews _Guitar Extra_ Spring, 1992 - Page 52 - "James Taylor, Back To The Well" _Guitar Player_ 5/84 - Page 90 - "The instrumental side of James Taylor" _Life_ 10/85 - Page 17 - "Pop's rainy day man is singing a sunnier tune" _New York Times_ 4/8/81 - Page C24 - "Taylor: After the Turmoil and Wanderlust" 2/3/88 - Section C - "The Pop Life" _Newsweek_ 11/4/85 - Page 79 - "Grown-up James, adult Joni" (JT and Joni Mitchell) _People_ 10/6/80 - Page 104 - "No nukers Carly Simon and James Taylor have a new cause: stopping fission at home" 8/24/81 - Page 26 - "The five singing Taylors find smooth sailing in their first family concert" _Rolling Stone_ 7/10/80 - Page 16 - JT's benefit concerts for the Anderson campaign 6/11/81 - Page 28 - "Fathers and Lovers" (interview) _Stereo Review_ 1/78 - Page 62-67 - "A Talk With James Taylor" _Time Magazine_ 1971 - JT was the subject of a cover story. 10/23/85 - Page 64 - JT's second marriage 7.3 Sheet Music and Music Books "James Taylor" -- 1971 - Amsco Music Publishing Co. It contains the entirety of the 1st two albums ("James Taylor" and "Sweet Baby James") in piano/vocal format, and (unusually for its day) contained a separate section for guitarists featuring some performance notes and guitar tabulature (a means of writing music for guitar that has becpme very popular only in the last 4-5 yrs.) The tabulature parts were written by Happy Traum, himself a recording folk musician, and now head of Homespun Tapes in Woodstock, which offers music instruction tapes by well known musicians, including one by Livingston. The book also contained the original Apple release, an interview with James, a letter he wrote about himself, and a reprinted review of a 1970 Carnegie Hall concert. It is easily recognizable by its black & white cover photo of a rather severe looking JT. This book was de rigeur for folk guitarists in the 70s. A great many copies were once in print, which means it may be easier to locate at used book shops for those interested. 8.0 T I D B I T S (Gossip, stories, etc.) 8.1 "Fire and Rain" From William Palmer (wpalmer@oasys.dt.navy.mil): Something I heard about this line goes like this: JT had a girlfriend that he was really focusing on. Some friends decided that she was a bad influence on him, and convinced her to go away for awhile. They bought her a plane ticket, she got on the plane, and en route, it crashed and she was killed in the accident. She was the 'sweet dream', and the plane was the 'flying machine'. From Jonathan Abramowitz (jabramowitz@msuvx1.memst.edui): The real story behind "Fire and Rain", as I understand it, is that some friends of James' were going to surprise james by bringing his girlfriend, Suzanne, to one of his concerts- unbeknownst to James. According to the story, Suzanne's plane crashed ("sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground") on her way to see the concert and Suzanne dies (Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you"). From Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu): "Fire and Rain" was written about a friend of JT's, Suzanne. They met when they were in Austin Riggs for heroin addition. They became very close *friends*. After JT was released, they spoke on the phone alot, helping each other out ("hours of time on the telephone line"). Suzanne was supposed to be released, but committed suicide very close to her release date. The line "Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground" refers to JT's past--and the breakup of his first band (Flying Machine). 8.2 The Rock in Rio concerts in January 1985 From Andre Valente (andre@lri.jur.uva.nl): I was present in JT's concerts and almost all days from the festival (10 days total) because I lived in Rio by that time. - It started with JT alone in the guitar for a few songs, then with the addition of two wonderful back-vocals (one male one female, both black). This was the part I liked most. I prefer the slow songs (Long Ago and Far Away, You Can Close Your Eyes, etc.) generally, and their performance for so many people created an incredible effect: can you imagine 200.000 people in a rock festival almost completely silent, sitting on the ground? It was this magic mood that made the experience incredible, and the origin of the magic was JT's music. - The other instruments entered slowly, up to the moment where the group was complete. Then followed "You've Got a Friend", "Fire and Rain", "Mexico", etc. All the big hits, everything I wanted to hear. I think he finished with "Up on a Roof", but I am not certain. The fact that the audience was so big (the biggest from the 10 days of the festival) was due to a large extent to JT. He was (is) very famous in Brazil, especially for the generation that lived the 70s. 8.3 "Sweet Baby James" The song is most likely about JT's brother Alex's son, James, though people often associate the title with JT himself. 8.4 "Mona" From Ethan Harvey (sunking@inca.gate.net): He told the story at a concert I went to years ago, but I don't remember all of it. He did own a pig named Mona, but he didn't shoot her. I think he left rat poison out to kill the rats on his farm. Instead, Mona got to the poison, and that was the end of Mona. But the shooting made for a better song, I guess. 8.5 "Suite for 20G" From Ken Kwartler (kmklegal@corp.sgi.com): JT & the gang had purportedly written and recorded all the other songs for Sweet Baby James, but needed one more. JT strung together a few different pieces he was working on into one song, and named it Suite for 20G, as once they recorded it and gave the record company the finished project, they got a $20G advance. 8.6 Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" People often suggest that the song is about JT, but according to Carly herself, it was about Warren Beatty. Other theories survive, though. From JD Delorme (jdd9642@ritvax.isc.rit.edu): The rumor going 'round when I was but a lad was that "You're So Vain" was about Mick Jaggar - whom she dated for awhile - and who heard it and knew it was for him. Then he begged to be allowed to do background vocals - a little twisted humor - sort of the ultimate irony for the whole idea that "you probably thing this song is about you". Of course - it may well have been more urban folklore, too. From Charles R. Center (CENTERCR%DFL@pcmail.usafa.af.mil): Saw an interview once, and she said it was about Beatty, and acknowledged that alot of people mistakenly attributed it to JT. 8.7 "Mexico" From Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu): JT's song "Mexico" refers to a trip he took with his family to this country. JT came down with the craps and a fever and didn't leave his hotel room for the entire trip, hence, the line: "I've never really been so I don't really know." 8.9 JT/Carly Simon breakup From Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu): The reason Carly and James broke up was because James was spending alot of time on the road, totally concentrating on his music (and we really don't mind). Carly now had 2 kids by JT, and gave him a bit of an ultimatum: Quit spending so much time on your music and more time with your kids or I'll divorce you. James' answer lies in the title of his next album: "Dad Loves His Work." 8.10 JT's Guitars and Pickups From Sergio Ramirez (bsergio@cs.utexas.edu) citing a Spring 1992 _Guitar Extra_ article: For two years previous to the interview he had been playing guitars made by a guy in St. Paul, called James Olsen. He used those guitars in "New Moon Shine." He played a Yamaha for a while, but lately he had been playing the Olsens only. He owned three Olsens, one of each of the sizes Olsen made: a "parlor-size," a dreadnought, and a cutaway. He was using a Lloyd Bags pickup under the bridge, and when playing live he used a Pendulum audio preamp. This was a 4-band equalizer with a variable notch filter that helped him take out "some of the 'oinky,' sort of unpleasant metallic sound that you get out of a piezoelectric transducer." He used to use a dreadnought guitar, and loved its profound sound, but he found that with a piano and bass player he was taking too much room, so he went for a smaller, more concise guitar with a narrower and prettier range; this way the guitar can make a statement without getting tangled up in bass and piano. But when he drops the low E to a D, he goes back to the dreadnought. 9.0 R E L A T E D A R T I S T S 9.1 JT's Siblings 9.1.1 Alex "With Friends and Neighbors" -- 1971 "Dinnertime" -- 1972 "Dancing With the Devil" -- ? 9.1.2 Livingston: "Livingston Taylor" -- 1970 - Capricorn/Atco - Reference #: SD 33-334 "Liv" -- 1971 - Capricorn - Reference #: SD 863 "Over the Rainbow" -- 1973 - Capricorn - Reference #: CP 0114 "3-Way Mirror -- 1978 - Epic/Legacy (released on CD 1/94) "Echoes" (compilation) -- 1979 - Capricorn - Reference #: CPN 0220 "Man's Best Friend" -- 1981 - Epic - Reference #: JE 36153 "Life Is Good" -- 1988 - Atco/Critique - Reference #: 90941-2 "Good Friends" -- 1993 "Our Turn to Dance" -- 1993 9.1.3 Kate "Sister Kate" -- 1971 "Kate Taylor" -- 1978 - Columbia - Reference #: JC 35089 9.1.4 Hugh: No specifics known. 9.2 JT Alumni 9.2.1 Carly Simon - Ex-wife and frequent collaborator - Successful recording artist Albums: "Another Passenger" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1064 "Anticipation" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 75016 "Boys In the Trees" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE128 "Carly Simon" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 74082 "Come Upstairs" -- Alex (import) - Reference #: ALE 3520 "Coming Around Again" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8443 "Have You Seen Me Lately?" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8650 "Hello Big Man" -- Warner Bros. - Reference #: WAR 23886 "Hotcakes" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1002 "My Romance" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8582 "No Secrets" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 75049 "Playing Possum" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1033 "Spoiled Girl" -- Warner Bros. - Reference #: CBS 39970 "Best of Carly Simon" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 109 "Greatest Hits Live" -- Arista - Reference #: ARI 8526 "You're So Vain/Nobody Does It Better" (single) -- Elektra Reference #: ELE 65929 9.2.2 Carole King - Wrote JT's major hit "You've Got A Friend" and many other songs - Frequent collaborator and band member - JT played guitar of several of her albums - Successful artist Albums: "Music" -- CBS - Reference #: CBS 34949 "Plus" -- Collectables - Reference #: COL 5414 "Rhymes and Reasons" -- CBS - Reference #: CBS 34950 "Tapestry" -- CBS - Reference #: 34946 "Wrap Around Joy" -- CBS - Reference #: 34953 "Writer" -- CBS - Reference #: CBS 34944 "Greatest Hits" -- CBS - Reference #: 34967 "Fantasy" -- 1973 - CBS - Reference #: CBS 34962 "Thoroughbred" -- 1976 - CBS - Reference #: CBS 34963 "One To One" -- 1982 - ? "Speeding Time" -- 1984 - ? "City Streets" -- 1989 - Capitol - Reference #: CAP 90885 "Colour of Your Dreams" -- 1993 - Scarface - Reference #: SCA 57197 "In Concert" (live) -- 1994 - Scarface - Reference #: SCA 53878 9.2.3 Joni Mitchell - Frequent collaborator and successful artist Albums: "Blue" -- 1971 - Warner Bros. - Reference #: WAR 2038 "Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm" -- Geffen - Reference #: GEF 24172 "Clouds" -- Warner Bros. - Reference # WAR 6341 "Court and Spark" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1001 Also: Gold disc version by Gold Disc - Reference #: 1025 "Dog Eat Dog" -- Geffen - Reference #: GEF 24074 "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 701 "For the Roses" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 5057 "Hejira" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1087 "Hissing of Summer Lawns" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 1051 "Joni Mitchell" -- Warner Bros. - Reference #: WAR 6293 "Ladies of the Canyon" -- Warner Bros. - Reference #: WAR 6376 "Miles of Aisles" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 202 "Mingus" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 505 "Night Ride Home" -- Geffen - Reference #: GEF 24302 and 24388 "Shadows and Light" -- Elektra - Reference #: ELE 704 "Wild Things Run Fast" -- Geffen - Reference #: GEF 22019 Also: Gold disc version by Ultradisc - Reference #: 570 9.2.4 Others Don Grolnick - Produced JT's last two studio albums - Member of JT's band - Has recorded solo albums Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar - Friend since childhood and longtime member of JT's band Leland Sklar - Member of band Peter Asher - JT's manager and a musician Arnold McCuller - Frequent backup singer for JT David Lasley - Frequent backup singer George Massenburg - Co-produced and mixed JT's latest live album - Has also produced other major artists (10,000 Maniacs, Linda Ronstadt, et al.) - Lurks in alt.music.james-taylor Russ Kunkel - Plays in JT's band Rosemary Butler - Band member David Crosby and Graham Nash - Frequently sang backup for JT - Members of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Paul McCartney - Signed JT to the Beatles' Apple Records - Played bass on several songs for "James Taylor" - Sang with his wife Linda on "Walking Man" Linda Ronstadt - Frequent collaborator and successful artist 10.0 P O I N T E R S 10.1 Where To Find JT's Albums All the U.S. albums are available on tape and CD in the U.S. Most of the CDs, including the non-U.S. ones, are for sale online. telnet zen.holonet.net and login: cdc Vinyl albums are harder to find, of course. If you can't find what you're looking for locally, someone suggested Acoustic Sounds at 1-800-525-1630. 10.2 Fan Mail Try reaching JT through his manager, Peter Asher: James Taylor c/o Peter Asher Management 644 North Doheny Drive Los Angeles, CA 90069 (310) 273-9433 If you ask nicely you can get tour dates at this number. No, JT probably doesn't have an E-mail address, but George Massenburg, who co-produced JT's latest live album and albums by many other major artists, does read amj-t and has said JT will hear about it. 11.0 A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S: A special thanks to Ken Kwartler (kmklegal@corp.sgi.com), the quintessential JT guru. Many others have also contributed to this FAQ, including: Norma Pincus (norma@hpcllmr.cup.hp.com) Carrie Schwanke (ces@gwis.circ.gwu.edu) Jonathan Schilling (jls@summit.novell.com) Sergio Ramirez (bsergio@cs.utexas.edu) Jan van Kemenade (U001350@vm.uci.kun.nl) Michael Lee Raymer (raymermi@cps.msu.edu) ... and many others. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Please email any corrections, additions, or suggestions to the address below: -- Joel Risberg -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- jrisberg@garnet.acns.fsu.edu "Me? I'm a fingersmith. I'm a professional fingersmith." -= Roald Dahl -=- "The Hitchhiker" =- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------