James Taylor (Remastered)

iTunes Review

James Taylor’s self-titled debut album — after an earlier EP with rougher versions of several tunes here — is a tour de force.  “Sunshine Sunshine” and “Something In the Way She Moves” were covered by Tom Rush on his legendary The Circle Game album that introduced Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne as songwriters of the future. Those tracks plus Taylor’s definitive “Carolina In My Mind” and “Rainy Day Man” are proof of his instinctive genius. His personal songwriting, including his tale of the mental ward, “Knockin’ Round the Zoo,” set the tone for the introspective singer-songwriter wave that would be a major force in the early ‘70s. As the first release for the Beatles’ Apple label, it proved the talent level was going to be formidable. Paul McCartney adds bass. This remaster was overseen by the same Abbey Road engineers who handled the Beatles’ brilliant remasters. There are four bonus cuts here, including fantastic demos of “Sunshine Sunshine” and “Carolina In My Mind.” Taylor’s voice was a solid gem and the easeful “Brighten Your Night With My Day” and “Circle ‘Round the Sun” illustrate the brilliance that would make him a star.