I was lucky enough to first see James Taylor live in a small outdoor venue called Avaloch in rural Lenox, Massachusetts in the summer of 1970, after this first album recorded by the Beatles in London had been released and just before the release of the fabulously successful "Sweet Baby James" album by Warner Brothers. He appeared alone on-stage with a full head of long, long hair in a simple denim shirt and cut-up jeans with his four or five acoustic guitars, and for two and a half hours proceeded to absolutely enchant the sprawling lawn-full of hundreds of audience members with a spellbinding performance of all of the work from both of those albums. Although virtually unknown at the time, word of mouth had spread so quickly in the Berkshires area (who still considers him one of their own) that many of us went out to get that album to play before he appeared. The rest, as they say, is history.

This particular album, "That's Why I'm Here", is also a fantastic folk album, and shows a different aspect of his talents in that he is much more somber, reflective, and open about his own uncertainties and personal troubles in the songs he sings, and in the delivery as well. But a number of my James Taylor favorites are here, including a spare and lean version of "Only A Dream In Rio", a terrific cover of Buddy Holly's "Everyday", and a lovely cover of an old Gene Pitney hit, Liberty Valance". I also like the title cut of "That's Why I'm Here", along with a number of the other songs included here. His performance here is a brilliant indication of just how incredibly talented an interpretive artist Taylor really is, transforming these songs, which are always delivered in that distinct and unique James Taylor style, complete with indelible guitar accompaniments and haunting, suggestive vocals oozing with heartfelt sincerity. This is a lesser album only in the sense that many of the works are unusually spare and folksy, but it is certainly a terrific showcase for how well Taylor can deliver on a variety of original works and covers of traditional folk songs. Enjoy

This is a fine, enjoyable album that is, regarding the songs, consistently very high quality. Taylor's songwriting on this is mainly relaxed, melodic, and generally comforting; a lot of generally upbeat, genuinely down to earth, and lyrically creative ballads that reflect on [his] life.

I have to say I love all the songs on this album except for "Mona" and "Limousine Driver". Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with it on a road trip from San Diego to the Bay Area as a kid and still love it, and I suppose that's the perfect description of what this album is. It doesn't contain any songs as powerful as "Fire and Rain" or of the same touching quality as "Sweet Baby James", but it's a wonderfully crafted and grown up album that is quintessentially James Taylor.

Highly recommended.

It was almost 15 years ago, that I first heard this 'album' on audio cassette tape, & was completely blown away. Everyone has their favorite JT Audio CDs for different reasons and I repect that. But for me, I had just given birth to a newborn son. As I listened to this album's first track, I picked up my infant son and sang this album to him from beginning to end. Tracks like "That's Why I'm Here" (thinking 'yes, my son, that's why I am here') & "Only One" ('yes, my son, you are my only one'). Even "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" (brilliantly arranged & produced) helped me to believe that this tiny "creature" might one day turn out to be a testament of truth & courage (on his part, certainly, not mine). Of course, you need not be a parent to buy this Masterpiece CD - just OPEN to the idea of being there for another and willing to give it your all-in-all. Bottomline - this is an Audio CD everyone should own especially if you need a lift, so to speak, out of fear, despair, depression, and surrender. JT shows you how via spectacular music alone. I don't believe it gets any better than this.

At the time of this writing, I am 26 years of age. I have spent the past decade of my life finding my own musical paths to follow. This CD helped to define which path I ultimatly take... being, speaking in literary terms, the path less taken.

My parents were pretty average people. My father was raised as a pacifist by his Kent State professor mother (who was present at the shootings and still keeps a hankerchief stained by the blood of Alison Krause, one of the fataly wounded students). Part of that upbringing was listening to the music that went along with those ideals. James Taylor, Pete Seeger, Richie Havens... they were among the main staples of the music played in our household during my youth. Throw into the mix a few of the more contemporary artists of the 80's like The Police, Sting (his firs tfew solo albums, anyways), Dire Straights and Don Henley and you have a pretty solid idea of the soundtrack to my youth. These artists came to define what I considered to be music. Not the new wave, tech pop that was sweeping the brand new airwaves of MTV, not the top 40 crap that plagued the local radio stations. I grew up listening to and enjoying these artists.
This particular album sticks out in my mind as being the one that made the most sense to my then seven year old sensabilities. A man sings about the love of his pig, or an epic western where the lines between good and bad are blurred, or just a man understanding his importance to the world around him. All these songs were played day after day in my childhood home. James Taylor was even the first concert I ever attended at the tender age or nine... and again at age eleven.
Now, 20 years later I occasionally take whatever techno CD or Tool album I am listening to out and put this CD in... and I realize how thankful I am for my father exposing me to this wonderful music. This is one of the many JT albums that will hold a special place in my heart. That's the kind of music it is. It's honest, heartfelt and wonderfully presented. Timeless, in a way. No matter where I find myself in life, I can always relate to the music.
James Taylor is one of those men who just does it, and he does it well.
'nuff said.

This album was my very first introduction to a musical love affair. My brother brought this home on vinyl and I never knew there was such a smoothness in the human voice. I tend to have attachments to records I listened to as a child, but this record stands up to even the most scrutinous James Taylor Fans or critics. It's a very good place to start if you're just discovering James, which if you haven't yet, you may want to venture out of the cave you're living in and check him out. Some of these tracks fall flat, but even those grow on you. I site "The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance", a Burt Bacharach tune that normally is bathetic, and retarded, But James takes it, and makes it his own, crafting a piece of crud into Gold. Another bright spot is "Mona", a paeon to what could only be a pet pig....

When you was just a football
At Your Momma's side
Reckon everyone figured you for a Barbecue when ya died

Classic. "Only One", "Limousine Driver", and The Title Track, all great tunes, but the key here is how James Taylor's voice remained so healthy after so long. The voice today remains in tact, but this album harkens back to a time when great singers were great singers... not great singers that tried to be politicians. Smooth Phunk

-Ben Bitter,
The Ben Bitter Music Express