James Taylor - Country Road (One Man Band, July 2007) |
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CD/DVD liner note from James – One Man Band (2007):
“It’s a strange reality of the modern popular song that the first time it’s played is when it’s recorded. Sometimes a song will be finished for deadline in the studio the day the thing is cast in stone forever. I know that songs and arrangements evolve and develop over time; that somewhere around the twentieth time it’s played for a live audience, a song finally completes itself. That, among other things, is what makes a good live recording unique. I’ve often thought that live performance means being well prepared and then waiting for the inevitable, unexpected thing to happen. We come onstage, well rehearsed and in good shape, and repeat what we have done before as best we can. But the real goal is to be in the present moment and on the surface of ourselves; open and trusting. Nobody wants to be perfect: that’s frozen, dead…It’s “be here now”, I guess… Of course, Larry Goldings does more than just accompany me. His growing presence in the world of jazz is well acknowledged, both for his own recordings and live performances and as a member of a good number of team efforts. I tend to form musical (and personal) relationships with other players and then stick with them for years. Arnold McCuller and David Lasley have worked with me since the mid-‘70s and others nearly as long (Jimmy Johnson, Steve Gadd, Mike Landau, Kate Markowitz, Valerie Carter…) After my great friend, producer and pianist Don Grolnick died in ’96, I performed with a number of excellent keyboard players. It was during the recording of my October Road album in ’02 that I worked with Larry. Russ Titelman had booked him to play on “Mean Old Man” along with Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Clifford Carter on synth, and the fine seven-string jazz guitarist, John Pizzarelli. This was an incredible band, and after hearing Larry Goldings’ solo on that song, first time through, he pinned it. That was our introduction and he’s been my first call ever since. Then there’s the bus factor. You see, someone’s playing may be great, but what’s it going to be like spending 10 hours a day riding to the next gig with them for a couple of months? Larry’s Bus Factor is not a factor for he is a bus riding fool, for a fact. Part of his talent is his ability to “split his hands.” Though not as painful as it sounds, it does require great focus and skill to play a melody/accompaniment with his right hand and, with his left hand, (often on another keyboard) play a distinct bass pattern. This Larry can do with effortless grace, and he has made this One Man Band show possible. He is a committed father, brother, and son, and I am in his debt. Larry Goldings is my One Man Band.” – James Taylor Subscribe here to stay up to date with all new releases on the channel: https://bit.ly/3jApW2o. LYRICS Country Road by James Taylor Take to the highway Won’t you lend me your name Your way and my way Seem to be one and the same Mama don’t understand it She wants to know where I’ve been I’d have to be some kind of natural born fool To walk on the roads again But you know I could feel it Walking on a country road Sail on home to Jesus Won’t you good girls and boys I’m all in pieces You can have my choice ‘Cause I can see a heavenly band full of angels Coming just to set me free No, I don’t know nothing ’bout the why or when But I can tell you that it’s bound to be Just because I could feel it Walking on a country railroad Reckon my feet know where they want me to go Walking on a country road Walking on a dirt road So take to the highway Won’t you lend me your name Your way and my way Seem to be one and the same thing tonight Mama don’t understand it She wants to know where the boy’s been I’d have to be some kind of natural born fool To walk on that road again But you know I could feel it Feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it Walking on a country road Walk on down Walk on down Walk on down Walk on down a country road La, la, la Yeah, walk on down I’ll be walking on a country road See me walking down a country road Oh, yeah #JamesTaylor #JT #CountryRoad #OneManBand #ConcordRecords NEW ALBUM 🎵 https://found.ee/JTAmericanStandard NEW EP 🎵 Over The Rainbow: The American Standard EP: https://found.ee/JTAmericanStandardEP 🌟 FOLLOW JAMES ON SOCIAL 🌟 https://www.facebook.com/JamesTaylor/ https://www.instagram.com/jamestaylor_com/ https://twitter.com/jamestaylor_com 🌐 VISIT THE WEBSITE 🌐 https://www.jamestaylor.com/ ✉️ JOIN THE MAILING LIST ✉️ https://www.jamestaylor.com/mailinglist/ 🎸 FREE GUITAR LESSONS BY JAMES 🎸 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4C7B31793C012820 |