James Taylor • Up On The Roof

I don't know about you, but after a relentless barrage of news footage and reports, I just wanted to step away from the 24-hour news programs that invaded my sleep cycle and just breath a little. It just felt like the world was getting too much for me. So when I thought about what song I would pick for Saturday morning, the opening lines of "Up On The Roof" came to mind. "When this old world starts getting me down, and people are just too much for me to face — I climb way up to the top of the stairs and all my cares just drift right into space..." The song was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and first recorded by The Drifters in 1962. But it was the the version from 1979, recorded by the great singer/songwriter James Taylor that really came to my mind, and that is what you will be enjoying here. The original J.T. put his own spin on it, taking the Do-wop out, and making it sound so right with the acoustic guitar. Enjoy "Up On The Roof".

You can find James' original recording of "Up On The Roof" on his 1979 album 'Flag', which you can purchase on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about James Taylor, visit his official website. You can also like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter.

Mixed Drinks At The Club

Clockwise: Francine Reed & Lyle Lovett; James Taylor & Carly Simon; Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé; and Michael Feinstein & Cheyenne Jackson.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do for the Saturday evening post, but was inspired by the amazing Lyle Lovett to come up with more duets that have a more contemporary feel. I still wanted the music to be perfect for that smokey club we all go to in our dreams, with a classic Jazz feel. So when I focused in on the first entry, even I had to laugh at my ability to bend my own rules. You see, I picked Lyle singing with the talented Francine Reed on "What Do You Do," written by the Lovett, and recorded for his 1989 album, 'Lyle Lovett & His Large Band'. Well, it might not be a time-tested classic, but it sure has that feel to it. So enjoy as Lyle and Francine sing "What Do You Do."

the next song was written in 1963, but most likely had the most familiar cover a decade later, when the husband and wife team of Carly Simon & James Taylor sang "Mockingbird," a song written and recorded by Inez and Charlie Foxx. The song appeared on Simon's album 'Hotcakes,' and went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974. The two sag it together on tour in 1974, but it was an exciting performance at the 1979 'No Nukes' concert that many will have on their minds when they thing of the song. And here it is.

The song "I'm Nothing Without You," written by Cy Coleman and Chris Zippel, was written for the 1989 Broadway musical, 'City of Angels'. The song appeared on the 2009 album 'The Power of Two'. In fact, the song opened the album, immediately letting the listeners know they were in for some spectacular duets from the two very talented artists.

It's kinda funny, but when I think back to my youth, I remember one couple in particular who was always on the television, whether it was the variety program 'The Carol Burnett Show,' or the wonderful 'Mike Douglas Show,' featuring entertainers from all walks of life. And the married couple were also on just about every Christmas collection I remember hearing. So here they are singing "Something's Gotta Give," written by the great Johnny Mercer in 1954, and first performed by Fred Astaire in the 1955 musical, 'Daddy Long Legs.'

Hope your weekend is a great one!

Dark Monday • Working

In 1978, a show debuted on Broadway after a successful run at Chicago's Goodman Theater. The musical is based on the Studs Terkel book Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do from 1974, which has interviews with people from different regions and occupations. It had a book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, music by Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, and James Taylor, and lyrics by Schwartz, Carnelia, Grant, Taylor, and Susan Birkenhead. It was directed by Schwartz, and ran for 12 previews, and 24 performances. Well, I thought this was the perfect show to feature on Labor Day.



As this is a holiday to celebrate the working force, I thought I would pick three songs by singer/songwriter James Taylor, a Pop and Folk icon. He had three songs in the show, all of which fit perfectly into his Folky discography, and in fact appeared on his albums. Let's start with his Bluesy "Traffic Jam", sung by the cast at the open of the show, chronicles their drive to work.



"Traffic Jam" also appears on his 1977 album, JT. You can purchase JT from iTunes and Amazon. James also had to next to last song in the first act. It is a beautiful ballad telling the story of a "Millworker". There is a beauty and honesty in the song that is hard to miss.



The third and final song from James appears early in the second act. He returned to the Bluesy style for "Brother Trucker", celebrating the truck drivers with a driving beat that let's you know the scoop right away. There is an barroom quality that suits the song, as well as James' voice. There is such an earthiness, it just resonates as a song for the working man. Enjoy "Brother Trucker".



Both Millworker" and "Brother Trucker can be found on Taylor's 1979 album, Flag. You can find Flag on iTunes and Amazon. For more about James Taylor, visit his official website. For more about Working, visit the official fansite. You can also purchase the Original Broadway Cast Recording on iTunes and Amazon. Hope you had a great Labor Day Weekend!

When James Met Johnny

When I had done my post the other day on James Taylor, I came across this clip, and it just didn't suit the post. However, as I was thinking of the weekend, I thought it would do quite nicely. In 1971, not long after James had released Sweet Baby James, he appeared on the John Cash Show, and even did a bit of a duet with the man in black. They performed an exceedingly beautiful version of Oh, Susannah, which was a cut off the album.



Hope that was a pleasant way to bring in your Saturday.

Sweet Baby James (Taylor)

While I got my love for Carole King from my sister Kathy, I seem to remember discovering James Taylor via some friends. This was several years after his amazing album Sweet Baby James, but I definitely caught up on that 1970 album. I remember the first time I heard Fire And Rain, and thinking it was so much more emotional, more intimate than anything I had heard before.



There have been many a story about the song, from the focus being his own struggle with mental health, those of friends, and how life effected it all. Taylor certainly battled his demons, with stays in institutions when younger, as well as his addictions. But his highly evocative and biographical music seemed to help him deal with it all.



While more of a period piece than a great work of art, The Steamroller Blues are reflective of a time when many in rock 'n roll were looking back to the blues legends for inspiration. But it is fun!



One of my favorite songs from the album is Country Road. Starting with the evocative guitar and moving on with the percussion, there is a vivid and vibrant use of language and imagery that evokes so much. The song managed to blend the styles of folk, rock and country, blazing a trail for storytellers-to-come.



And, of course, everyone expects to hear him sing Carole King's You've Got A Friend, but I think that is one of those songs that is played over and over. For me, I'd prefer the charm of the title song from the album, Sweet Baby James.



For me, the style and beauty of Sweet Baby James still holds up, 41 years later. When I listen to him, and can see how he helped to shape my musical life, and understand why I have such a great love for the music of great singer/songwriters like Eric Himan, Tom Goss, Christopher Dallman, Jake Walden and so many others. You can find out more about what James have been up to for the last few decade by visiting his official website here. You can find his official FaceBook page here. You can purchase the album for $9.99 on iTunes here, and on Amazon here. But I am sure you can find it wherever music is sold. It is a classic everyone should own.