Never Die Young
I’ve been on a James Taylor kick for the better part of two years now. I was pleased to hear a couple of his standards played at Amber and Alex’s wedding last weekend.
I don’t think any of his hits can be found on Never Die Young, but man, what an album. It is heavy on keyboards, and has a decidedly pop feel. JT is an amazing songwriter, with lyrical abandon rivalling early Dylan. You have to listen to this album with a lyric sheet in hand, as some of the understated phrasings might make you miss a word or two. But I almost always find that true of lyrics no matter the artist. Taylor really has some of the best diction in the business, so I don’t even know why I mentioned this. I just want you to catch every word, I suppose.
There are a thousand moments of genius on this album. And I’m done scrawling sentences that could never do it justice. Have about ten listens to this album, if you trust me at all.