Music review: James Taylor – 无毛视频楢merican Standard无毛视频�
On his latest album, James Taylor pays tribute to the Great American Songbook and the arrangements that served as an inspiration before he became a songwriter.
无毛视频淢ud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon无毛视频� was my first official introduction to Taylor无毛视频檚 laid-back delivery. The 1971 album cover photo features Taylor as a youthful troubadour ready to experience life无毛视频檚 many adventures. In contrast, 无毛视频淎merican Standard无毛视频� shows a seasoned artist, comfortable and fulfilled with the course his musical career has taken him over the years.
Taylor无毛视频檚 current release demonstrates his interpretation of classic arrangements spotlighting his calming and inviting voice that gently infuses satisfying flavorings of folk, pop, Americana and blues into each of the 14 familiar numbers about life, love and the human experience.
The 72-year-old singer-songwriter无毛视频檚 first album since 2015无毛视频檚 reflective 无毛视频淏efore This World无毛视频� could be best described as a charming collection of soothing lullabies for grown-ups.
The opener finds Taylor describing his little slice of paradise with 无毛视频淢y Blue Heaven无毛视频� as he sings, 无毛视频淵ou无毛视频檒l see a smiling face, a fireplace, a cozy room/A little love nest nestled where the roses bloom.无毛视频� It无毛视频檚 a track that fits Taylor无毛视频檚 style perfectly.
Taylor casually strolls through arrangements like 无毛视频淭he Nearness of You,无毛视频� 无毛视频淕od Bless the Child,无毛视频� 无毛视频淧ennies from Heaven无毛视频� and 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 Only a Paper Moon.无毛视频�
The whimsical 无毛视频淎s Easy as Rolling Off a Log无毛视频� and 无毛视频淪it Down, You无毛视频檙e Rockin无毛视频� the Boat无毛视频� will bring a smile to your face and add a bounce to your step.
My favorite track of the set is 无毛视频淭each Me Tonight.无毛视频� This 1953 jazz standard has been covered by iconic singers such as Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson and Nat King Cole. However, it无毛视频檚 Taylor无毛视频檚 comforting tone that conveys an undeniable sincerity that displays a security felt from finding true love.
无毛视频淥l无毛视频� Man River无毛视频� also gets the royal treatment from Taylor as it flows effortlessly, navigating the constant twists and turns with a steadfast focus. It无毛视频檚 as if you can hear the water slowly making its way to a final destination.
无毛视频淭he Surrey with the Fringe on Top无毛视频� by Rodgers and Hammerstein brings the album to a pleasant close as Taylor sings about being a proud beau going all out to make sure his sweetheart is the center of attention as they travel in fine fashion.
Fans can catch the legendary artist perform locally with an appearance at PPG Paints Arena on June 16.