简介:
There's a comfortable senseof the familiar to James Taylor's first collection of new songs since 1997'sGrammy winner Hourglass; such is the curse of being a decades-spanning culturalicon. But, as on his best work, there's also an almost stealthy sense ofmusical restlessness that seeps into Taylor's songs here, as he colors somewith deft jazz and international influences. The reunion with producer RussTitelman (they last collaborated on 1976's In the Pocket) seems to havegratifyingly inspired as much gentle reassessment as retrenchment. LongtimeTitelman compatriot Ry Cooder guests on the title track, a song whose autumnalcomforts fit the Taylor canon and other album tracks like "SeptemberGrass," "Baby Buffalo," "My Traveling Star," and"On the Fourth of July" (the story of Taylor's romantic meeting withcurrent wife Kim) like an old slipper. However, "Belfast to Boston"cries for peace in Ireland and elsewhere with some surprising Gaelicflourishes, while "Whenever You're Ready" throws some Brazilianrhythms and jazzy horns into the mix, and Dave Grusin's slick orchestralarrangement turns "Mean Old Man" into an elegant cabaret surprise. Alittle more of this musical adventure amidst the familiar romantic ballads andpaeans to the comfort of home and family--including a gorgeously spare cover of"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"--certainly wouldn't hurt. --Jerry McCulley
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