JAMES TAYLOR/SWEET BABY JAMES WS 1843 (-70) US

 

After visiting UK and recording an album for Apple  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2022/04/james-taylor-apcor-3-68-uk-mono.html  Taylor went back to US. Treatment in Britain for his heroine addiction hadn't worked out 100% so he was hospitalized when arriving to New York. Later homeless and in a bad psych mood, living at producer Peter Asher's place, he still managed to make a successful live performance at Newport Folk Festival. However shortly after he was injured in a motorcycle accident and prevented from playing for months, but continued to write songs and eventually secured a new contract with Warner Bros. At that time his Apple debute had been released to kind reviews, but failed to sell due to lack of promotion. This follow-up, as the first produced by Asher, did a lot better - both the LP and the spawned 45 "Fire And Rain" reaching #3 on Billboard - thus becoming the starting point of one of the most prosperous American singer/songwriter careers for decades to come. To me this reminds a lot of the debute. Melodies that may not catch 100% at first listen but then slowly grows on you, concerned lyrics not shying away from difficulties or set-backs, all performed in a kind of country blues way and crowned by his warm vocals. This however more evenly produced and mixed, creating a better flow. Personally I do prefer the debute as it comes slightly more adventurous, but maybe that's just me. Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. First UK on orange label (WS 1843).  Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with lyric/pic poster.   (YZÄ*)