What people search:
 | Title : October Road
Author : Taylor, James
Release Date : 20020813
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $18.98
Amazon.com Price : $8.50
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Editorial Reviews :
There's a comfortable sense of the familiar to James Taylor's first collection of new songs since 1997's Grammy winner Hourglass; such is the curse of being a decades-spanning cultural icon. But, as on his best work, there's also an almost stealthy sense of musical restlessness that seeps into Taylor's songs here, as he colors some with deft jazz and international influences. The reunion with producer Russ Titelman (they last collaborated on 1976's In the Pocket) seems to have gratifyingly inspired as much gentle reassessment as retrenchment. Longtime Titelman compatriot Ry Cooder guests on the title track, a song whose autumnal comforts fit the Taylor canon and other album tracks like 'September Grass,' 'Baby Buffalo,' 'My Traveling Star,' and 'On the Fourth of July' (the story of Taylor's romantic meeting with current wife Kim) like an old slipper. However, 'Belfast to Boston' cries for peace in Ireland and elsewhere with some surprising Gaelic flourishes, while 'Whenever You're Ready' throws some Brazilian rhythms and jazzy horns into the mix, and Dave Grusin's slick orchestral arrangement turns 'Mean Old Man' into an elegant cabaret surprise. A little more of this musical adventure amidst the familiar romantic ballads and paeans to the comfort of home and family--including a gorgeously spare cover of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'--certainly wouldn't hurt.
Buyer Reviews :
It's always presumptuous to write anything about great music...you need to listen to it to understand. But this latest effort by someone whose skills don't need too much explanation is worth the wait since 'Hourglass'.
Lots of the familiar in the work, but not formula riffs or chord progressions...not just old favorites remixed or rewritten. If you would like some deeper insight into some of the places and themes that you'll find in 'October Road', then maybe you should read at least one biography of the artist...it's well worth the time.
You can sometimes hear the ocean or feel the movement of a ship in this music. You can detect the air getting a bit cooler as autumn approaches. Some of the tracks may stir feelings of sadness or longing, but there are other songs to lighten your heart as well.
The lyrics range from the roguishly clever to the outright nostalgic. Musically, you can expect the very fine production and sound quality that we've grown accustomed to when James Taylor shares his special gifts with us.
But aside from such 'mundane' technical considerations, 'October Road' is another wonderful work from an artist who pays particular attention to lyrical and musical excellence....and who understands a great deal about the fall of the year.
(by Mark Harter)
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