Average Rating: 
Rating:  - James Taylor - Back and better than ever with "October Road"
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.
Rating: - Great CD for true fans
I really liked this CD. But honestly, in my opinion, it's not as strong as Hourglass. It's still quite good though. Regular fans of JT will probably like it. September Grass is greatness. I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, that the addition of "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" was a disappointment. A JT album is something I listen to year-round from start to finish. Frankly, I have no interest in hearing a Christmas classic in August. It's a nice song, but maybe he should just make a Christmas album - I'd buy that.
Hey, far be it from me to criticize James Taylor - as far as I'm concerned, he can do no wrong. I hope we don't have to wait as long for his next group of songs - they are always a treat.
Rating: - A Nostalgic Trip Down "October Road"
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!!!
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