Music review: James Taylor – ‘Before This World’
Normally when I am facing a difficult home task, I’ll pop in some calming music to help ease the anticipated frustration. For a recent front door restoration project, “The Best of James Taylor” was the music of choice.
With classics like “Something in the Way She Moves,” “Sweet Baby James” and “Carolina in My Mind” providing me with a relaxing environment, my chore was completed without shouting, breaking or throwing any items.
I first connected with James Taylor’s laid-back style with “Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon” and the hit “You’ve Got a Friend,” written by Taylor’s close friend Carole King. The 1971 album cover photo displays Taylor as a youthful and curious troubadour ready to experience life’s many adventures, while his latest album cover captures the fulfillment and satisfaction of an artist experiencing a life well lived.
With more road behind him than in front of him, James Taylor’s current release is a reflective and sentimental look at life, love and the human experience.
The 67-year-old singer-songwriter’s first album of original material in 13 years possesses the same comforting qualities found within Taylor’s earlier efforts of insightful lyrics and mellow, soothing acoustic arrangements. Simplistic samples of folk, pop, Americana and blues are weaved gently into each of the 10 new numbers.
Thoughtful and confident reflections on life are relayed on the melodic opener with Taylor singing, “My heart is free from fear/I’ll plant my flag right here.” Taylor tells a charming story about the joys of being a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan on “Angels of Fenway,” fondly salutes the beauty and culture of downtown Toronto with “SnowTime” and searches the heart and mind of a soldier experiencing war in a foreign and misunderstood land on “Far Afghanistan.”
How sweet it is to hear Taylor continue to be a powerful and influential force in the studio and on stage.
Clint Rhodes is the 蘑菇视频 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.