October Road

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - William Ruhlmann
James Taylor's 15th studio album of his first new recordings in 32 years is, if possible, even more familiar and self-referential than ever. By now, it is an article of faith that you could take practically any track from any Taylor album and put it on another one without disturbing the mood, and that is as true of the songs here as it is of those on the other 14. That warm if slightly deepened tenor, singing in its odd accent which combines New England and the North Carolina Piedmont, and that acoustic guitar, with its sparkling, unhurried fingerpicking, remain the most prominent elements in the sound. But even more, October Road finds Taylor seemingly intent on ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - William Ruhlmann
James Taylor's 15th studio album of his first new recordings in 32 years is, if possible, even more familiar and self-referential than ever. By now, it is an article of faith that you could take practically any track from any Taylor album and put it on another one without disturbing the mood, and that is as true of the songs here as it is of those on the other 14. That warm if slightly deepened tenor, singing in its odd accent which combines New England and the North Carolina Piedmont, and that acoustic guitar, with its sparkling, unhurried fingerpicking, remain the most prominent elements in the sound. But even more, October Road finds Taylor seemingly intent on evoking his own past. The title track, of course, recalls his song "Country Road," and "Caroline I See You," even if it refers specifically to his wife, inescapably echoes "Carolina in My Mind." Also, Taylor deliberately recycles themes from his earlier work. "October Road" begins, "Well I'm going back down maybe one more time," while "My Traveling Star" ends, "And shame on me for sure/For one more highway song." Throughout, on what seem like the most personal songs he has written in decades, Taylor appears to be commenting on a second chance he feels he has received, and though he couches the negative aspects in humor "Mean Old Man," whose subject is the singer, ends with a dog joke, and "Raised Up Family," which contains recriminations, tosses in a musical reference to Gilligan's Island, there are strong hints of a man who feels he's been rescued. As such, it is perhaps fitting if seasonally curious for an album released in the summer to conclude with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," a holiday song from wartime that reaffirms the importance of family in a world gone awry.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/15/2010
  • Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
  • UPC: 886976881122
  • Catalog Number: 768811
  • Sales rank: 7,100

Album Credits

Performance Credits
James Taylor Primary Artist, Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Vocal Harmony
Ry Cooder Guitar
Michael Brecker Saxophone
Larry Goldings Piano
David Lasley Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Vocal Harmony
Rob Mounsey Synthesizer, Percussion, Keyboards, Penny Whistle, String Pads
Bruce Dukov Violin
Harry Allen Tenor Saxophone
Luis Conte Percussion
Dave Grusin Conductor
Brian Dembow Viola
Stuart Duncan Violin
Stephen Erdody Cello
Walt Fowler Horn
Steve Gadd Drums
Alan Grunfeld Violin
Paula Hochhalter Cello
Carrie Holzman-Little Viola
Robbie Kilgore Piano
Michael Landau Guitar, Electric Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Gut String Guitar, Soloist
Lou Marini Horn
Kate Markowitz Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus
Tommy Morgan Harmonica
Robin Olson Violin
Greg Phillinganes Keyboards
John Pizzarelli Guitar
Richard Sortomme Violin
Sally Taylor Background Vocals
Donna Tecco Violin
Margaret Wooten Violin
Cenovia Cummins Violin
Michael Eisenstein Choir, Chorus
Arnold McCuller Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus
Karen Elaine Bakunin Viola
Kay Hanley Choir, Chorus
Nina Gordon Choir, Chorus
Clifford Carter Organ, Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer Organ, Synthesizer Pads
Natalie Leggett Violin
Belinda Whitney Violin
Josh Lattanzi Choir, Chorus
Steve Scully Choir, Chorus
Liane Mautner Violin
Chiara Civello Background Vocals
Julia Ann Gigante Violin
M. Hans Liebert Piano, Synthesizer Percussion
Caroline Taylor Background Vocals
Kenneth Yerke Violin
Karen Jones Violin
Tamara Hatwan Violin
Ralph Morrison III Concert Master
Richard Sebring French Horn
Jimmy Johnson Bass
Technical Credits
James Taylor Composer
Rob Mounsey String Arrangements
Mark Howard Engineer
Dave Grusin String Arrangements
Ted Jensen Mastering
Hugh Martin Composer
Dave O'Donnell Engineer
John Sheldon Composer
Russ Titelman Producer
Gail Marowitz Art Direction
Ralph Blane Composer
Stephanie Mauer Cover Consultant
Sante d'Orazio Cover Photo, Back Cover Photo
Barbara Rose Management
Gary Borman Management
M. Hans Liebert Engineer
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