Day 183: July 2: Devoted to You

"It can't die because I'm so devoted to you."

This cover of the Everly Brothers song is one of James' best covers and the best collaboration he ever had with Carly.  This version lacks a little precision in the harmony when compared to the studio version but it's still a sweet time capsule of a golden era for James.

Devoted to You

The Everly Brothers were huge.  Until Hall and Oates came along they were the most successful duo in American pop history, Here's a classic from them (although truth be told I prefer Linda Ronstadt's version).  

When Will I Be Loved

Day 182: July 1: Perfect Love

"Dreaming as the years roll by"

Marc Cohn wrote this song about his brother in an idealistic period in American history.  I saw Marc Cohn in concert not long after this album was released - and right after Walking in Memphis made him a star.  He said from the stage that James Taylor left a message on his answering machine saying he liked the album and would love to work with him on it.  Marc refused to erase the message and would play it back over and over.  

I met Mark after the show (which was at a Holiday Inn in Beaumont, Texas).  I asked for his autograph and asked him to write "To Chip, my best friend whose house I always eat dinner at when I'm in town." He wrote, "To Chip, not my best friend, but not bad."

James sings back up on this beautiful track from Marc's amazing eponymous album.

Perfect Love

Several years later (and after a carjacking scare where Marc was shot in the head yet still survived), Marc released the beautiful tribute to The Band's drummer Levon Helm.  I think it's the best thing he's done since Walking in Memphis.

I saw a version of him singing this post Levon's death where he adds some to the refrain about Levon being in a better place and remembering the smile on Levon's face.  Beautiful.

Listening to Levon

Day 181: June 30: Soul Companion

"Love finds its own way in."

James duets with Mary Chapin Carpenter.  It's a pretty song and the voices work well with it especially in the verses.  I'm not crazy about the lack of harmony in the chorus but it's still a nice few minutes.

Soul Companion

We've seen Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert a couple of times about a decade apart and loved both experiences.  She is genuine and folksy. There is no pretense- she is very much herself and that sincerity is much of the cause of the appeal I have for her.

Here's an old one- it's one of her best.

This Shirt

Day 180: June 29: My Romance

"My romance doesn't need a thing but you."

This standard was written for the musical Jumbo in the 1930's and was performed by Doris Day in the 1960's film.  This recording was available on certain releases of the That's Why I'm Here album.  I think it was included on the cassette and cd versions but not the vinyl.  James is in crooning mode.  It's not my favorite but the lyric is sweet (if sappy) and James' voice is strong.

My Romance

I've often considered Doris Day to be an arch-nemesis.  I find her films off-putting (with the exception of Pillow Talk) and her persona to be grating.  This is all based on her screen persona- I know little about her life off-screen.  Incidentally, Anne Hathaway serves the modern day arch-nemesis role for me.  Despite my irritation, this song is certainly iconic.

Bushel and a Peck

Day 179: June 28: There's a Space Between Us

"I know a little bit of space between two friends can sometimes do them good."

Here's a pleasant enough tune from Carole King's Thoroughbred album.  James has some pretty harmony in the last third of the song.  I don't think it's really about the their relationship but it's certainly interesting to frame it that way.

There's a Space Between Us

This is the first single off Carole's Thoroughbred album.  It's a little bland- I actually prefer the previous track to this one.

Only Love is Real

Day 178: June 27: Nothing Like a Hundred Miles

" I have tried to forget about you."

I think the premise here is that distance makes the heart grow less fond.  James is looking for some space between himself and the girl who broke his heart.  It's kind of catchy.  A decent track from the In the Pocket album.

Nothing Like a Hundred Miles

A hundred miles is nothing for The Proclaimers.

500 Miles

Day 177: June 26: One More Go Round

"Running around the room in my Fruit O' the Loom"

Throwaway track from the New Moon Shine album- not to be confused with the similarly titled (and superior) Going Around One More Time.  Seems like an ode to getting blotto- or perhaps just getting goofy.  Lesser James from a great album.

One More Go Round

Kris would also like one more shot.

Once More with Feeling

Day 176: June 25: Knock on Wood

"The way you love me is frightening."

For a long time you could only purchase James singing this by buying the Live in Rio import- but then he released it on the Other Covers cd.  My memory of the live version is that it is better than this fairly lifeless studio version.  It's an iconic song, though - cowritten and recorded originally by Eddie Floyd.  Most of James' covers are hit and miss.  This one falls in between.  

Knock on Wood

Eddie Floyd is most known for Knock on Wood.  I just discovered this cool track- 

Big Bird

Day 175: June 24: Terra Nova

"May this day show me an ocean."

James expresses restlessness on this great track from the JT album.  The song has an interesting structure and beautiful harmonies from Carly. It's another one that people should know but most don't.

Terra Nova

Lyle also dreams of being on the water.

If I Had a Boat

Day 174: June 23: Fading Away

"Well, it's hard to find a label for this feeling in my bones."

A wrongfully lesser known track from the Walking Man album.  It seems James is rejecting the advice of Dylan Thomas and is resigned to going gentle into that good night.  It feels autobiographical- like James is exploring the potential of escaping the spotlight for an existence in the background but that's all speculation.  Regardless it's a great track.

Fading Away

Eric has a different opinion on the subject:

Bell Bottom Blues

Day 173: June 22: Lo and Behold

"You just can't kill for Jesus."

James says this song is about spirituality through nature- a theme he visits frequently.  This one is pretty stripped down.  I really like the era of his work that isn't afraid to be a little bit raw.

Lo and Behold

Derek Webb would agree that you just can't kill for Jesus.

My Enemies are Men Like Me

Day 172: June 21: New Hymn

"maker who we beg to be our mother, father, comrade, mate."

For an agnostic, James delves into the spiritual quite a bit.  This one is mostly interesting for that reason and not because it adds much to his catalog.  It's kind of pretty but overstays its welcome.  This is only available commercially on the Live album.

New Hymn

Alison Krauss does spiritual in a little more aesthetically pleasing way.

Down to the River to Pray

Day 171: June 20: Hymn

"I got holy children to show me the light."

Here's a faux-spiritual from the One Man Dog album.I think more than anything else it's really a tip of the hat to all things hippie.  It's got some groovy horns and fine vocals.  I really dig the One Man Dog album.

Hymn

There is nothing tongue-in-cheek about this song.  Here's a beautiful version recorded before Bette Midler damaged it. And let me say- Nanci is all-in!

From a Distance

Day 170: June 19: Daddy's Baby

"So I called my love my home."

Sweet one from Walking Man that I didn't know very well.  It's far from his strongest track but the sweetness makes up for whatever shortcomings it may have (like the backing vocals for instance).

Daddy's Baby

Here's a beautiful father/child song from Marc Cohn.

Things We've Handed Down

Day 169: June 18: Let It Be/Hey Jude

"There will be an answer."

James performs with Mavis Staples (!) at the Kennedy Center Honors in a tribute to Paul McCartney.  I often disparage James covers, but I would actually love an official release of all the Beatles covers (save Day Tripper) he's done over the years.  This is pretty special. It's worth watching if only to see Oprah rock out to Hey Jude.

Let it Be/ Hey Jude

Here's a favorite of mine from Beatles days- here's Paul playing it with Wings.

I've Just Seen a Face

Day 168: June 17: Stretch of the Highway

"Chi-town baby, is my town too."

James romanticizes his career on the road.  It's harmless- a little over produced especially the backing vocals.  This might be better with no vocals other than James'.

Stretch of the Highway

Turns out the Doobie Brothers have wanderlust too.

Take Me To the Highway

Day 167: June 16: Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

"I've got a wonderful feeling everything's going my way."

Feels a bit like filler to me but if you've ever wanted to hear James sing your favorite show tunes, here's a head start.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

And that song, of course, comes from this show:

Oklahoma!

Day 166: June 15: Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

"Don't say yes but please don't say no."

The lone hit from the underrated One Man Dog album.  This one makes the greatest hits albums and the live albums.  There have been some less than successful covers of this song.  Eric Clapton recorded a rare misfire.  Patricia Kaas also recorded a painful jazzed up cover featuring James on vocals.  Stick with James singing the standard arrangement.

Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Here's a beautifully sad song about people fighting loneliness.

A Better Place to Be

Day 165: June 14: Not Alone

"You may be a lot of things but you're not alone."

James joins son Ben on stage in this video of one of Ben's songs.  I've never been a huge Ben Taylor fan.  He's at his best when he's imitating daddy but he seems to strive to not let that be the path of his career.  This one isn't too bad.

Not Alone

Here's Ben's best track- an early Beatles cover from the Bye Bye Love soundtrack.

I Will

Day 164: June 13: Mud Slide Slim

"There's nothing like the sound of sweet soul music."

Here's the odd but mournfully sweet title track from the Mud Slide Slim album.  Apparently this song was inspired by a picture James received of a burned tree that had gotten caught up in a mudslide.  Someone had attached a sign to the tree that said "I've seen fire and I've seen rain."

This is one of his best albums.  It peaked at number two on the Billboard album charts, being kept out of the top spot by Carole King's Tapestry.  Both albums contain the song "You've Got a Friend."

Mud Slide Slim

No mud.  No blue horizon.  It is sure is pretty though.

Landslide

Day 163: June 12: Sugar Trade

"Men of these shores made and gave up their lives pulling up fish from the sea."

James cowrote this misfire from Dad Loves His Work with Jimmy Buffett and someone named Timothy Mayer.  It's a bit of a heavy handed attempt at poignancy.  

Sugar Trade

I'm not a fan of this tune from 1776, but it fits.  ...and yes, that is Holling from Northern Exposure.

Molasses to Rum

Day 162: June 11: Jelly Man Kelly

"Can he come home, Jenny?"

Perhaps the finest two minutes that Sesame Street ever aired.  Just try to watch this without smiling.  I dare you.

Jelly Man Kelly

This one is really nice too.

I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

Day 161: June 10:  The Twist

"We're gonna twisty twisty twisty till we tear the house down."

James can't resist an old cover.  I'd much rather see him pop one up live than feel compelled to record it.  It's fun.

The Twist

Chubby Checker just couldn't let go.

Let's Twist Again

Day 160: June 9: I Feel the Earth Move

"I feel the sky tumbling down."

One of Carole's classics they played on their recent tour together.  James is relegated to a supporting role but it's still a fun ride.

I Feel the Earth Move

Here's an aptly titled classic from Carole's catalog. Cool fan video here too.

Beautiful

Day 159: June 8: Me and My Guitar

"But pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, it's just me and my guitar."

James' fun love song to his guitar.  It's a catchy track from the Walking Man album that holds up pretty well.  

Me and My Guitar

When guitar love goes bad:

This Guitar is for Sale

Day 158: June 7: I Can Dream of You

"I swear you've got the sweetest eyes that I've ever seen."

Some months ago I erroneously reported "Something's Wrong" as the otherwise unreleased b-side of Shower the People.  I was mixed-up.  The B-side is actually this pretty tune written by brother Livingston. It's a shame it never made it onto an album because it's a nice one.

I Can Dream of You

Elton is a big fan of unreleased b-sides as well.  I guess if you're as prolific as Elton you can afford to throw away tunes.  Here's a catchy/cheesy one featuring the Beach Boys on backing vocals.  This was the b-side to Empty Garden.

Take Me Down to the Ocean

Day 157: June 6: Sadie

"She said to me, boy, hurry to Sunday school."

Mediocre cover of a Spinners song.  Those two covers albums could really have just been one album- and even then probably just been ok.  Nothing special here.

Sadie

I'm not well versed in The Spinners catalog, but I did know this one.

Working My Way Back to You

Day 156: June 5: Circle Round the Sun

"She throws her arms around me just like a circle around the sun."

Fuzzy metaphors and psychedelic arrangements make this a minor miss from the self-titled album.  However, even in this slight mess you can hear the beginning his craft developing.

Circle Round the Sun

If you want a funky circle song, look no further.  I give Billy's infectious joy a little credit for keeping the Beatles together a little longer than they otherwise would have.

Will it Go Round in Circles?

Day 155: June 4: Wandering

"and it don't look like I'll ever stop my wandering."

James clings to his folky roots on this treasure from the Gorilla album.  There's a little Woody Guthrie and a little Kingston Trio in there- although he's more polished than either of those acts.  Simple, sweet and beautiful.

Wandering

In contrast, these guys want no part of that.

Never Did No Wanderin'

Day 154: June 3: Mockingbird

"I'm gonna find myself a better way."

Russ Griswold asks "Is that made up?  That sounds made up."  He has a fair point, but this is a tremendously fun sing-along.  Yes-indeed-o.

Mockingbird

One of the few cheeseball duets to match the fun of James and Carly is this one.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Day 153: June 2: I Was a Fool to Care

"but I don't care even if I was a fool."

Here's a great track from the Gorilla album. James says it was his attempt to replicate the Philly sound- I'm not sure he's done that but whatever he's got going here really works.  There were a couple of live videos out there of this track but this studio version was so much better I opted just go with audio.

I Was a Fool to Care

Paul performs a song about another notorious fool.  

The Fool on the Hill

Day 152: June 1: Ananas

"Here I am at your window, baby."

James goes French again.  He is basically saying I am infatuated with you.  I'm not sure what it has to do with a pineapple.

I also enjoy that this clip is A&E by Request but it starts with James turning down a request for Steamroller because he wanted to play this new song.

Ananas

And if you like pineapples- you may also like pina coladas. But maybe not this song with one of the silliest premises of all time.

No this is not footage of your local karaoke bar- it's some Rupert Holmes cheese.

Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

Day 151: May 31: Long Ago and Far Away

"Love is just a word I've heard when things are being said."

This one has a mournful beauty to it.  Although it is not one of his better known songs it broke the top 40 on the Billboard chart- and even went to number 12 in Canada.  The studio version has some haunting backing vocals from Joni Mitchell that are absent in this live performance.

Long Ago and Far Away

Here's another song about not being able to get what you want- this one quite blatantly.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Day 150: May 30: Soldiers

"Just nine out of twenty was headed home with eleven sad stories to tell."

An abruptly short filler song from the Mud Slide Slim album.  James implies that this one is perpetually unfinished and it feels that way to me too.  There's something missing- it's an almost song.

Soldiers

Here's a less literal soldier song from Marc Cohn.  I don't think it's really about Steve McQueen but it works pretty well.

Old Soldier

Day 149: May 29: Love the One You're With

"The eagle flies with the dove."

This is a terrible song.  I mean, it's really catchy and fun- but the sentiment is awful.  Comedian Andy Breckman quips that he bets Stephen Stills' wife loves it when he sings it on tour.  Try not to think to much about the message and just enjoy Ole String Bean dancing and singing with CSN.

Love the One You're With

Breckman riffs on this one too.  He says it's like a paper you write in middle school- "It was very, very, very good..."  Regardless, it sure is pretty- more so when it's not live. 

Our House

Day 148: May 28: The Suit

"It was such a perfect service."

James sings for Jerry Douglas on his album here.  The song isn't incredibly melodic but the somber mood is impacting.  

The Suit

Jerry Douglas is an often awarded bluegrass instrumentalist.  Here's a beautiful Simon and Garfunkel cover featuring Alison Krauss and Shaun Colvin on vocals.

The Boxer

Day 147: May 27: Knockin' Around the Zoo

"...she'll hit me with a needle if she thinks I'm trying to misbehave."

Pretentious opening to a kind of fun, funky tune from the eponymous album.  He's admittedly still working it out on this album but there are hints of what is to come. There's a good two and a half minutes in this three and a half minute song.

Knockin' Around the Zoo

Warren's zoo experience didn't turn out so well.

Gorilla, You're a Desperado

Day 146: May 26: Suite for 20G

"Won't you stay inside me month of May."

A hidden gem from the Sweet Baby James album.  The story goes that the record company was pestering James for one more song before they would send him the advance for the album.  This resulted in James cranking out this suite to get his 20 grand.  Money well spent.

Suite for 20G

Jimmy Buffett dislikes this motivation for creating art.  At least theoretically.

Makin' Music for Money

Day 145: May 25: Carey/Mr. Tambourine Man

"In the jingle jangle morning, I'll come following you."

Cool combination of Joni and James.  You don't hear this very often- but you sure should. James gets a verse at the end.  It's worth the wait.

Carey/ Mr. Tambourine Man

I'll take any excuse to play some Bob.  This version is a little slower than the famous one.  It's not quite as good, but it's interesting.

She Belongs to Me

Day 144: May 24: Today Today Today

"I'm finally on my way"

This new album is starting to grow on me.  This is an above average song from it.  James embraces moving on.  It's a lesson I can often use.

Today, Today, Today

And here's a cheesier way to sing "Today"

America

Day 143: May 23: Music

"You must try thinking like a cloud sometime."

James justifies his lifework.  It a sweet ode to the power of music.  It's less of music as a metaphor for life and more of life as a metaphor for music.  A catchy tune from the great Gorilla album.

Music

Here's a similar theme from the great John Gorka.  

When You Sing

Day 142: May 22: The Times They are a Changin'

"You better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone."

One of our sweetest vocalists singing the words of our finest lyricist.  Actually James is singing here with Carly and Graham Nash from the No Nukes concert which gave us several great performances.  This one is very good- not quite great, but very good.  The combination of these three voices though is really interesting. 

The Times They are a Changin'

Bob has grown to playing All Along the Watchtower in the style of Hendrix and I can't help but think this arrangement owes a little to the Grateful Dead.  Pretty cool stuff.

Just Like a Woman

Day 141: May 21: Falling in Love with You

"...you are the sea around me and are with me for all time."

I actually really do like Livingston but this clip will show you why James is famous and why Liv is much less so.  These are two Livingston songs and they're fine but this is more interesting to watch to witness James be embarrassed for his dorky brother.  City Lights will show up later- there's actually a produced video for that one.

Falling in Love With You

Still wish I could find the studio version of I Will Be in Love with You- but since I can't, I'll settle for this one.

Get Out of Bed

Day 140: May 20: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

"The point of a gun was the only law that Liberty understood."

A pleasant remake of an old Gene Pitney song.  This one pays homage to a classic John Wayne/Jimmy Stewart film.  The movie is great.  The song is pretty good too.

Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

I'm not very familiar with Gene Pitney.  I'm not crazy about "A Town Without Pity" so I chose this one which sounds a lot like "Down in the Boondocks" to me.

24 Hours from Tulsa

Day 139: May 19: Instrumental 1 

(Instrumental)

Pretty filler on the One Man Dog album.  Simple and short but catchy.

Instrumental I

Speaking of pretty instrumentals- here's a famous one from the Allman Brothers.  This was on the radio the first time I kissed Jana.

Jessica

Day 138: May 18: Some Days You Gotta Dance

"Gotta Loosen up Those Chains and Dance"

The Dixie Chicks recorded it first- then after James had this much fun performing it with them he cut it himself on his Covers album.  It's one of the few that he's covered that doesn't predate much of his recording career.  This is a lot of fun.  James voice sounds great and he's having some goofy fun.

Some Days You Gotta Dance

I'm taking Jana to see the Dixie Chicks in Nashville in August.  This is one of their best- a reaction to the mind blowing reaction they got from comments about not liking then president, George W. Bush.  The comment about being embarrassed that he was from Texas resulted in airplay bans and threats of violence and death.  They took some time off and came back with this.

Not Ready to Make Nice

Day 137: May 17: Our Town

"No one seems to need us like they did before."

Beautiful song from a beautiful movie.  James works well with Randy Newman's sensibilities and ends up with a poignant ode to the isolation found in the aging process.

Our Town

Randy does Disney better than just about anybody.  This might be his best entry- and the version here with Lyle is better than Randy alone.

You've Got a Friend in Me

Day 136: May 16: Turn Away

"And now your eyes won't meet mine."

A little overproduced but not a bad track from the That's Why I'm Here album.  I wouldn't likely seek it out, but  if it was playing I'd sing along.

Turn Away

Here's a similarly titled, similarly overproduced piece of cheese from Chicago.  Most of the post-Peter Cetera era of Chicago is guilty pleasure territory and this one is no exception.  It was popular but this ridiculous video makes it seem worse than it really is.

Look Away

Day 135: May 15: Before This World/Jolly Springtime

"Give up the love that takes and breaks your heart."

Mournful and harmonic.  Sting sings back-up and his influence is really felt here.  In places it feels very much  like a James Taylor song and at others it sounds a lot like something that could be on a recent Sting album.  I don't usually care for contemporary Sting, but the combination works well.  The second half is oddly combined.  It's pleasant enough though.

Before This World/ Jolly Springtime

I think post-Police Sting peaked with the Ten Summoner's Tales and Mercury Falling albums.  This one is also mournful and was also covered later by Johnny Cash.

I Hung My Head

Day 134: May 14: Wonderful World

"I don't claim to be an 'A' student."

Makes me sad that this is the only thing the three recorded together.  Beautiful harmonies.  I could listen to this all day.

Wonderful World

Here's one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs...beautiful even without James.

Only Living Boy in New York

Day 133: May 13: Little More Time with You

"Why leave the life I love here in the great state of Maine?"

Drug addiction as a metaphor for being "hooked" on love.  It's catchy and has a Maine reference- what else could you want?  How about a harmonica riff played by Stevie Wonder?  A real nice one from the Hourglass album.

Little More Time With You

Here's Stevie with perhaps  his best song singing about a different kind of love- love for his baby girl.

Isn't She Lovely

Day 132: May 12: Back in the High Life Again

"when you're born to run it's so hard to just slow down."

Even before I knew that the harmony on this song was James Taylor, it was what made the track work for me.  I think it's the best song of Steve's solo career.  Steve was a musical prodigy- a prog-rock Stevie Wonder.  At age 14, he joined the Spencer Davis Group- at some point writing Gimme Some Lovin'.  This title track from a mid-80's album was sort of a comeback for him.  It feels a lot like John Lennon's Watching the Wheels- I'm back, but on my own terms, and my own pace.  There's also a haunting cover by the late great Warren Zevon that I hear in my head whenever I hear this original version.

Back in the High Life Again

The legend of Steve Winwood was so powerful that the potential of working with him (and the potential of getting away from the drama of Ginger Baker) was enough to break up Cream.  The result was a single album from Blind Faith producing two of the best songs Eric Clapton was ever a part of- the beautiful Can't Find My Way Home- and this haunting track.  I think it was largely Ginger Baker's horning in on this group that made Clapton lose interest so quickly, but there's something special about the two of them together. Here's a reunion of the two playing "Presence of the Lord."

Presence of the Lord

Day 131: May 11: Natural Woman

"Your love was the key to my peace of mind."

Certainly not a song you think of as a James Taylor song, but he plays and sings on it on this Letterman performance.  It's essential Carole King- here it's medley-ed with How Sweet it is.  Seeing them together would be sweet indeed.

Natural Woman

Aretha has a famous version of that one- so here's a clip of her really giving it to Matt "Guitar" Murphy while Jake and Elwood look on.

Think

Day 130: May 10: Way You Look Tonight

"I will feel a glow just thinking  of you"

James croons, Chip yawns.  It's fine.  It's pretty.  I'd rather hear folky James than fogey James.

Way You Look Tonight

That last song was recorded by many people, including Fred Astaire in Swing Time.  Here's Fred doing what Fred does best.

Let's Face the Music and Dance

Day 129: May 9: Loves Me Like a Rock

"Who do you think you're fooling?"

This duet of Mellencamp and James comes from the Kennedy Center honors saluting Pail Simon.  It's a fun version and a rare scenario that would team these two up.  The song itself is a highlight from Paul's illustrious solo career.

Loves Me Like a Rock

Here's another great one from the solo catalog that he plays here at a reunion concert with Art.  Wish he still wrote songs this good.

Kodachrome

Day 128: May 8: Carolina in My Mind

"Ain't no doubt in no one's mind that love's the finest thing around."

One of my absolute favorites.  This song has drastically evolved over James' career.  On his eponymous album it had a bouncy bass line played by Paul McCartney which made the song feel oddly upbeat for a song about being homesick.  In this early live version, it's extra mellow and mournful- almost too much so.  Later, James finds a happy medium- both in the studio recording that appears on the greatest hits album (that most people are most familiar with) and the live versions to follow.  It's a beautiful song.  

Carolina in My Mind

Here's another song about wanting to get back home to North Carolina.  The fellas in Old Crow Medicine Show came across an unreleased Bob Dylan song on a bootleg recording and wrote verses to it and it resulted in this beautiful piece of Americana.  I also like that it references nearby Johnson City.  Oh and the Darius Rucker version takes all the soul out of the song.  This is the definitive version.

Wagon Wheel

Day 127: May 7:Sailing to Philadelphia

"A new morning has begun"

Now we're talking.  James duets with masterful guitarist Mark Knopfler for this character study of the drawing of the Mason Dixon line.  James' high pitched purity is matched greatly with Mark's nasal response.  This is one of James' best collaborations ever and certainly of the last 20 years.

Sailing to Phialdelphia

Besides his phenomenal solo work, Knopfler also played guitar for Dylan for a spell- he's on the Slow Train Coming album, but he's best known as the creative force behind Dire Straits.  The Brothers in Arms album is one of the greatest in rock history- but my favorite is either Sultan's of Swing or this one (which usually makes me tear up)- except when accompanied by this corny video.

Romeo and Juliet

Day 126: May 6: What the World Needs Now

"It's the only thing that's there's just too little of"

This is an all-star collaboration of an old standard headed up by Steve Tyrell and I guess it's as good as a song this cheesy can be.  James' verse is the best in the song and it's interesting to hear him in a song also featuring Rod Stewart.  The song also features Martina McBride and Dionne Warwick.  It's a very guilty pleasure.

What the World Needs Now

I don't know much of anything about Steve Tyrell.  He seems to have been a large part of the Father of the Bride II soundtrack largely covering standards.He appears to more often be a record producer than a recording artist.  I found this stumbling around youtube and it seems to be representative of his work.

Laughter in the Rain

Day 125: May 5: Johnnie Comes Back

"trying to keep her devils at bay"

Despite the upbeat tempo this one is pretty dark lyrically.  It's a tale of someone using addiction to keep a woman interested.  This may be the period that James hit his low sobriety wise- I don't know if this is based on something real but certainly addiction is on his  mind.  It's catchy.  A solid track off of Flag.

Johnnie Comes Back

I know the Johnnie be good line warrants some Chuck Berry- but I'm going with this one instead.

Be Good Johnny

Day 124: May 4: Blossom

"seems my dreams have frozen."

A love song from James which he says here was written to his pig.  Regardless, it sure is pretty- a standout track from the Sweet Baby James album.  It's basically a flower metaphor for a cure to loneliness.  

Blossom

And speaking of songs about flowers and loneliness:

One Red Rose

Day 123: May 3: One  Morning in May

"and the tune that he played made the valleys all ring."

An old folk song covered here by James and Linda Ronstadt.  It's not as good as the duet of I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine on Linda's Get Closer album, but it's still really nice.  Pretty harmonies and a nice arrangement.  

One Morning in May

Here's some really early Linda back when she was with the Stone Ponies.  One of the kids on my team uses this song to pump him up at tournaments.  I don't really get that- but I do get the appeal of the song.  Her voice is so pure and strong- although she is a terrible lip-syncher.

Different Drum

Day 122: May 2: Another Grey Morning

"...move me. Move me. I'm locked up inside."

Weather as a metaphor for mood.  This is a pretty track from the JT album.  Some melancholy beauty.

Another Grey Morning

One of my favorite Beatles deep tracks is also influenced by weather.  Here it's discontentment manifested in reaction to the day,

Rain

Day 121: May 1: First of May

"Made in the shade"

One of my least favorite songs on one of my least favorite James albums, Never Die Young.  There's too much choral singing and the song doesn't really seem to go anywhere. But it's the right James song for May 1st.

First of May

Hahahaha.  He can't stop laughing.  And as a result, this is my companion piece.

I Love to Laugh

Day 120: April 30: Never Been Gone

"Great ambition is all a dream."

James is featured in a harmony vocal with Carly and Lucy Simon on the opening of this track from Carly's Spy album.  It's kind of pretty and the sentiment of remembering what was important to you is a nice theme.  

Never Been Gone

Carly is more often a miss than a hit for me- but I like this one.

Haven't Got Time for the Pain

Day 119: April 29: Gaia

"Foolish school of fish on wheels."

This one isn't one of my favorites- but I do find it interesting.  In mythology Gaia is  (if Wikipedia can be trusted) the personification of the earth and this song is part love letter, part apology, part warning ,and part pleading for deliverance.  It's a little heavy handed.  Gaia is also, in mythology the "goddess of the earth"- and this song can also be read as addressing her.  Either way, it is an environmental missive.

James also refers to his agnosticism in this song- something that seems to pop up especially on his Hourglass album.

Gaia

This is perhaps my favorite corny love letter to the environment.  The albatross and the whales- they are my brothers. 

A handful of years ago, when preparing a speech highlighting some of our outstanding alum, a colleague was excited to find out that a member of the Little River Band was from Carson-Newman...until he figured out that the band is Australian and that this guy would have joined the band long after their moment in the spotlight.  Regardless, I bet he gets to play this song a lot.

Cool Change

Day 118: April 28: It's Only a Paper Moon

"It wouldn't be make believe if you believed in me."

Here's the other James entry on the "A League of Their Own" soundtrack.  This one is an interesting take on an old Nat King Cole song.  I had an argument about this version with someone several years ago.  I think James taking a more literal approach to the lyrics makes it his own.  Nat plays it more up-tempo giving the song an almost ironic feel- or perhaps like the singer is trying to convince himself that things are ok.  James slows it down and makes the same lyrics mean something slightly different.  Musically, it's the same strategy he uses for songs like Handyman and Everyday.  Take the upbeat song, slow it down and add in pathos.  I think it works here.  My friend thinks the tension in Nat's version is what makes the song work.  That tension is absent here.  I'll let you judge for yourself.

It's Only a Paper Moon

This song was a go-to for me when I was a kid scouring my grandfather's record collection...when I wasn't grooving to some Burl Ives.  The sing-a-long here isn't too great but I really like seeing Nat perform.  I think I was first drawn to Nat because of my grandfather but have really grown to discover how much good stuff he put out.

Rambling Rose

Day 117: April 27: Father to Son

"I've got to leave you today."

Carly's older sister Lucy tried her hand at the singer/songwriter genre with a couple of albums in the seventies.  I don't think it worked out too well.  James and Carly harmonize on the chorus here.  It's not too good.  

Father to Son

Turns out that song was pretty good- at least compared to this one.  This was a single and I'm guessing about James and Carly's daughter Sally.  If this is a single...  yikes.

Sally Go Round the Sun

Day 116: April 26: Bartender's Blues

"I need four walls around me to hold my life, to keep me from going astray."

James trying to sound like George Jones.  So much so that George famously covered this one.  Lots of steel guitar and some haunting background vocals from Linda Ronstadt make this a solid track from the JT album. 

Bartender's Blues

Here's George's best.  It's also my dear friend Randy's go to karaoke song.

He Stopped Loving Her Today

Day 115: April 25: Brother Trucker

"I'm back on my wheels again."

Two pretty bad ideas.  First, Studs Terkel wrote a musical called "Working" about the plight of the blue color worker in America.  Second, James wrote this silly song for it and appeared in it.  This version of the song is a little more painful than the version on Flag but I couldn't resist showing off James and his acting chops featuring some convincing pill swallowing..  The song is a juvenile rhyme suggesting hard core attitude but by softening with the pun creating the opposite effect.  It's like yelling at someone and capping it off with a harsh "darn it!"  But the joke is likely intentional, just silly. 

Brother Trucker

However, if you want a serious film exploration of the life of the American truck driver, look no further than Jerry Reed.

Eastbound and Down

Day 114: April 24: Best Little Girl

"Poor little fool."

Another song from the Faust soundtrack.  This is Randy's song- the devil singing the tale of a good girl who makes one bad choice and lives (or actually doesn't) to regret it.   James has a single spoken line as God (watch it, devil).  It's a great album- especially in its entirety.

Best Little Girl

Faust's girlfriend played by Linda Ronstadt gets a pretty song in the middle of the album.  

Gainesville Florida

Day 113: April 23: Little David

"Must make a mighty good road."

Part of the Abbey Road like medley on One Man Dog.  It's a fun 60 seconds though a bit choppy when isolated from the medley.

Little David

And the best song I know that references David is written by Leonard Cohen.  Most people I know prefer the Jeff Buckley version but for my money there's nothing that tops this original.  There is even a concert performance of an older Leonard belting it out that I passed over for the mournful beauty of this recording.  You can't go wrong with a song that rhymes "hallelujah" with "what's it to ya?".

Halleljuah

Day 112: April 22: Wichita Lineman

"and the Wichita lineman is still on the line."

I've ranted a lot about how I feel about most of James' covers.  This one is a bit below average.  There are elements of it that are fine- but part of the problem is the over-orchestration.  This is a song incredibly blue collar yet James has pieces of an orchestra behind him complicating the simple melody.  The cowboy hat with the suit is also an interesting choice.

Wichita Lineman

I've thought of Glen Campbell as a guilty pleasure.  Songs like Rhinestone Cowboy are catchy but overflowing with cheese.  Gentle on My Mind is an exception, but what I know of his catalog seems superficial.  However, this song that came out after his Alzheimer's diagnosis will break your heart.

I Won't Miss You

Day 111: April 21: Traffic Jam

"I used to think that I was cool running around on fossil fuel."

Required singing for when you find yourself stuck in one.  Cool fun from the JT album (this version from the Live album).

Traffic Jam

James wrote that about a jam on the Pacific coast.  Here's another song dealing with traffic in that part of the country from the recently deceased giant of a songwriter Guy Clark.  In the background you can catch a glimpse of a younger John Prine watching on.

LA Freeway

Day 110: April 20: It's Too Late

"Somethin' inside has died and I can't hide."

Carole's studio version stands as one of her best songs and it was surely a staple in their tour together.  However,  I don't think the harmonies work very well in this performance- and there is some dissonance that  is a little off-putting.  Still, I'd have loved to seen it.

It's Too Late

I  didn't know Carole wrote this one.  I had heard that John and Paul once quipped that they wished they were as good songwriters as Goffin and King.

Chains

Day 109: April 19: Prince of Tides

"How can you tell me how it used to be when there's nothin' left to see."

Throwaway Buffett tune that James sings backup on.  It's a bit pretentious and toward the end of the listenable Buffett era.  There's some catchiness to it though and it's worth a listen but it's far from classic Buffett.

Prince of Tides

The end of that last song samples Save the Last Dance For Me.  I heard Smokey Robinson say that that song is about a man in a wheelchair at his wedding.  He sees his new bride dancing with all these men while he sits and waits.  It's beautiful.

Save the Last Dance for Me

Day 108: April 18: Almost Like Being in Love

"There's a smile on my face for the whole human race."

James never released this track commercially but he played it live on the Tonight Show in 1994.  It's fine but feels more like a standard than his folk stuff that he's best suited for. If you like the stuff he recorded for the A League of Their Own soundtrack, you'll like this.  This song was recorded by many including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.  Gene Kelly sings it in Brigadoon.

Almost Like Being in Love

And speaking of Gene Kelly, these might be the greatest four and a half minutes ever put on film.

Singing in the Rain

Day 107: April 17: One Man Parade

"Do believe I'm gonna clap my hands, think I might tap my feet."

The One Man Dog album seems to often get lost in the shuffle of James' catalog and wrongly so.  It's really underrated with tons of great songs.  This is the great opening track, however this live version predates the release of the album.  The studio version is a little peppier but  this slow groove is interesting too.

One Man Parade

This one man band idea paints pictures of Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, or perhaps KT Tunstall, or maybe even little Stevie Forbert in his later years.  He sings, plays harmonica, guitar, and percussion with his feet.

Stolen Identity

Day 106: April 16: Brighten Your Night With My Day

"Watch those shadows fade away."

Really early James.  This one came out in 1968 on the eponymous record on the Apple label.  That first album is fairly hit and miss as James is still trying to figure things out.  This one isn't a classic by any means, but there are elements of it that foreshadow things to come.  The lyrics have a sentimentality that will later blossom and there are pieces of sweetness in the melody.  It's not his best or even great- but it's nice and well worth a listen.

Brighten Your Night with My Day

Here's another song about illumination from Styx.  A few notes about this version/song:  Dennis is rocking a great mustache and Cubs jersey, they are apparently lip-synching as it's awful hard to pull of the fade ending in a live performance and I really hope they play this when we see them at the Knoxville Fair this fall.

Lights