- Audio CD (10 Dec 2007)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Colour, Import
- Label: Hear
- ASIN: B000V4ZY2Y
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 250,020 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Something In the Way She Moves |
| 2. Never Die Young |
| 3. The Frozen Man |
| 4. Mean Old Man |
| 5. School Song |
| 6. Country Road |
| 7. Slap Leather |
| 8. My Traveling Star |
| 9. You've Got a Friend |
| 10. Steamroller Blues |
| 11. Secret O' Life |
| 12. Line 'Em Up |
| 13. Chili Dog |
| 14. Shower the People |
| 15. Sweet Baby James |
| 16. Carolina In My Mind |
| 17. Fire And Rain |
| 18. Copperline |
| 19. You Can Close Your Eyes |
Product Description
Review
For an entire generation James Taylor has been a one man byword for quiet integrity, acoustic honesty and the be-denim-ed, back-to-the-country kinda singer songwriter. There's even an argument for blaming him for the unforgivable adoption of dungarees as a fashion statement around 1972. But no mind, his words and music always had a delightful sweetness that offset any sense of twee confessional. One Man Band, accompanied by a Sydney Pollack-directed biographical DVD, is a back-to-basics resume of his most resilient compositions recorded in front of a hometown crowd in Massachussets. It shows exactly why he's still held dear in the USA.
Perhaps the most incongruous thing about Taylor these days is that while, inevitably, time has robbed him of his hippie pin-up locks, his voice remains as sweet and boyish as ever. Not for nothing was he nicknamed 'Sweet Baby James' by Carole King. It's a thing of delicate emotive power, allowing the almost-cloying lyrics associated with this genre of 'sensitive' songwriting to raise themselves above sheer sentimentality. Coupled with his distinctive picking style this is a treat for fans as well as anyone who's forgotten his ubiquity in past times.
The truth is, from his first single that got him noticed by Apple records (" Something In The Way She Moves") through his greatest hits like " Fire And Rain" and "You've Got A Friend" to the more sophisticated jazzy, humour of " Mean Old Man" (aided by the dazzling piano of Larry Goldings) Taylor is a man for who this seems as natural as breathing. Only on the strangely funky-drum-machine-and-organ experiment of "Slap Leather" does he falter but it's a small slip in an album filled with classy sure-footedness. He provided succour for a post-Vietnam America, he now continues the job for all of us. Long may he continue. --Chris Jones
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Product Description
JAMES TAYLOR One Man Band (2007 US 38-track 2-disc set comprising a 19-track CD album plus a bonus 2-hour DVD both the CD and DVD feature the same recordings - a performance by the legendary 1970s singer-songwriter as he wows the appreciativecrowd with classic-after-classic from his superb catalogue including new renditions of Youve Got A Friend and Sweet Baby James interspersed with Taylor?s insightful and humorous anecdotes on the inspiration for the songs. Fold-out digipak picture sleeve HMCD2-30516)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This CD-and-DVD set gives you an "unplugged" set filmed live in concert at Massachusetts' Colonial Theatre earlier this year. Accompanied by his own guitar, pianist Larry Goldings and occasionally (as on Shower The People) by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Taylor runs through a 19-song set representing the whole of his long career from classics like cowboy lullaby Sweet Baby James and the gorgeous Carolina On My Mind to newer songs like Mean Old Man.
The DVD section of One Man Band accompanies the songs with interviews and rare footage, including home movies and photographs from Taylor's own archives. The resulting portrait-of-the-artist acts as a primer for those unfamiliar with the repertoire as well as a celebration of a career for those who are.
Maybe there should have been more variation - the DVD features essentially the same setlist as the concert CD - but Universal probably realise that most people will keep the video for the living room and the audio for the car. The musical content is pristine in terms of both recording clarity and performance, and the overall impression is of a private show from an old and comfortable family friend.
The DVD section of One Man Band accompanies the songs with interviews and rare footage, including home movies and photographs from Taylor's own archives. The resulting portrait-of-the-artist acts as a primer for those unfamiliar with the repertoire as well as a celebration of a career for those who are.
Maybe there should have been more variation - the DVD features essentially the same setlist as the concert CD - but Universal probably realise that most people will keep the video for the living room and the audio for the car. The musical content is pristine in terms of both recording clarity and performance, and the overall impression is of a private show from an old and comfortable family friend.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a big James Taylor fan I was really looking forward to finding "One Man Band" in my stocking this Xmas. After the first few listenings the album leaves me with mixed feelings.
The tracks I enjoy the most are the James and guitar tracks, the attempts to use taped harmonies and drum leave me a little cold. I would have thought that this was an opportunity to give an airing to songs that could have been re-arranged for solo guitar and voice rather than run through tracks that need filling out with keyboards however well done. The live performance isn't a one man band show, more stripped back. Golding's keyboard accompaniment is good but the set list is too much like James' other live CDs/DVDs. I don't think this adds as much to the Taylor collection as the title would suggest.
After being disappointed with the CD I settled down to watch the DVD. The DVD made much more sense. OK it's not one man band but the live set comes across more as a satisfying whole. The between track banter and chat James has with the audience adds to the set, this is highly edited on the CD. I think other James Taylor concert DVDs are better. As an exercise in "down home feel good" this is ok. James' warmth and charm are fully evident as ever.
CD poor, DVD much better. This more a DVD with a bonus CD rather than a CD with a bonus DVD
The tracks I enjoy the most are the James and guitar tracks, the attempts to use taped harmonies and drum leave me a little cold. I would have thought that this was an opportunity to give an airing to songs that could have been re-arranged for solo guitar and voice rather than run through tracks that need filling out with keyboards however well done. The live performance isn't a one man band show, more stripped back. Golding's keyboard accompaniment is good but the set list is too much like James' other live CDs/DVDs. I don't think this adds as much to the Taylor collection as the title would suggest.
After being disappointed with the CD I settled down to watch the DVD. The DVD made much more sense. OK it's not one man band but the live set comes across more as a satisfying whole. The between track banter and chat James has with the audience adds to the set, this is highly edited on the CD. I think other James Taylor concert DVDs are better. As an exercise in "down home feel good" this is ok. James' warmth and charm are fully evident as ever.
CD poor, DVD much better. This more a DVD with a bonus CD rather than a CD with a bonus DVD
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As Taylor is one of my all time favourites, I rushed to buy this new CD/DVD. It seems unfair to say anything negative about one of the all time greats (and surely one of the nicest people in the music industry). But this collection of most of his favourites just seems a little too mellow, a little too comfortable, and a little too underplayed.
If, like me, you're a true JT fan this collection is well worth a listen - but don't expect too much.
If, like me, you're a true JT fan this collection is well worth a listen - but don't expect too much.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Samir's favourite
Watched this on Iplayer, twice, and had to get the DVD & CD.
This is a great album, and as James Taylor has said, going back to basics, is what makes this album unique, and... Read more
This is a great album, and as James Taylor has said, going back to basics, is what makes this album unique, and... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Sam A
One Mam Band
I saw the One Man Band tour when JT came to the UK and then saw the show on television. This CD/DVD set is the closest you can get to being at the concert. A great buy!
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by H. Law
Almost as good as being there!
My wife has been a James Taylor fan for a long time. So this was bought for Valentines day and she (and me) really like it. James Taylor is a true entertainer on the DVD. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2009 by Peter Roxburgh
Wonderful
Looks like an accountant - sings like an angel!
Not only a live stripped-down CD of the great man, but a 2 hour DVD of the performance. Read more
Not only a live stripped-down CD of the great man, but a 2 hour DVD of the performance. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2009 by K. M. G. Pitts
Seems such a Nice Guy
Having seen the show last year it is always great seeing a DVD of the event. James Taylor is someone who makes you feel part of his life. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by Mr. R. Coxhead
Simply Brilliant Intimate Gig
As a lifelong fan of JT (I grew up listening to his songs) I was gutted I missed the DVD of this set being shown on TV last week. I ordered this, and let me say this is excellent. Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by Zoso
A real heart warmer
I'd only heard of James Taylor: am the wrong area but most of all the wrong nationality (French)but thanks to my husband (an ex roadie), was introduced to some great music such as... Read more
Published on 26 April 2008 by sweetpea
JAMES TAYLOR....LIVE AND RELAXED.
I always think James Taylor live is one of the most enjoyable pleasures in
modern music.From a young artist signed to the Beatles Apple label,he has for many years continued... Read more
modern music.From a young artist signed to the Beatles Apple label,he has for many years continued... Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2008 by P. Clack
"Unmistakable Warm Baritone ... James Taylor ... Hear Music (2007)"
Hear Music presents "ONE MAN BAND" --- A new CD/DVD of live recordings and the stories behind the songs --- New performances from some of his most beloved recordings are... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2007 by J. Lovins
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