With the launching of this album, a thirty-year career was sent into high orbit. Of course, it is still up there, spinning and lightening our loads as we make our way through the days and evenings of our lives. If the baby boomers have a long-play soundtrack to their lives, most of the songs on this album would be on it, beginning with "Sweet Baby James", a lullaby written for his nephew but detailing his voluntary `escape' from the Austin Riggs center in Stockbridge. Massachusetts, riding down the turnpike to Boston, and on to London, where he was `discovered' by the Beatles.

Then there is "Fire and Rain", another autobiographical tune that was one of the biggest smash hits of all time, one covered by more solo artists than any other, and "Country Road", by now instantly identified by its opening chords by thousands of Taylor fans. It is all here, folks; the voice, the songs, and the guitar work that made James Taylor the superstar/singer/songwriter laureate of the seventies. Along with John Denver, Cat Stevens, Elton John, and Van Morrison, he virtually revolutionized popular music for a generation with his very personal, often intense, and always very approachable and melodic approach to music. There are hours and hours of wonderful experience in store for anyone with this album, whether you've come down in a space ship and are just introducing yourself to his work, or you are an old friend stopping by to sit on the front porch for a spell while Mudslide Slim plays and sings in his unforgettable voice for you. Enjoy!

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to

It was rather ironic that James Taylor was considered such a sensitive and soothing singer-songwriter when you listen to his signature song, "Fire and Rain," which is about the suicide of a friend who had been an inmate at a mental institution where Taylor had been committed by his parents (it also gives his cover of Stephen Foster's "Oh, Susannah" a very personal meaning). The song was written in three parts: the first verse was written in a London flat about his reactions to the death of his friend; the second verse was written in a New York hospital about Taylor trying to kick his heroin habit; and the third verse was written at a Massachusetts psychiatric facility as he recuperated from his experience.

But while the subject matter was certainly depressing, "Fire and Rain" had a confessional quality that gave it a sense of intimacy that set it apart from what others were doing. In early 1971 he was on the cover of "Time" magazine, literarily the poster boy for the wave of singer-songwriters that were dominating the music scene, including most notably his good friend Carole King and his future wife Carly Simon. Taylor was perfectly suited for the early 1970s music scene: his lyrics were introspective and because he played acoustic guitar he could sing his songs in a rather quiet manner. After the turmoil of the 1960s, which was certainly reflected in the music of the times, Taylor was a breath of fresh air.

This album made it to #3 on the Billboard Albums chart while "Fire and Rain" made it to that same spot as a single. I was surprised to discover that the other single from the album was not the title song, but "Country Road" (#37), which is fine with me because that is the second best track on the album with some lyrical elements similar to "Fire and Rain." This is not to say that this is a depressing album, because certainly "Sunny Skies", "Blossom" and "Anywhere Like Heaven" are lighter songs. "Steamroller" is sort of funky and seems out of place on the album, but if you look at the overall mix of songs Taylor is covering a lot of ground musically. But "Fire and Rain" is definitely Taylor's best song and I am surprised "Rolling Stone" only ranked it #227 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again

In addition to being the album with THE JT hits which one cannot get tired of listening, this album includes Taylor's rendition of "Oh Susannah" with the chord changes and guitar styling that cuts straight to your heart. The perfect segue to Fire And Rain, James takes the Stephen Foster standard and completely transforms the feel to create the type of melancholy overtone that stings behind the eyes.

Hearing the hits in the context of the other songs is totally different than owning the Greatest Hits album. One gets in touch with more of the mood of a "pre-superstar" Taylor. A little less refinement in exchange for a lot more gut. As for the hits themselves, I have personally performed "Fire And Rain" for over ten years and still find myself aimlessly wandering around a supermarket until the end of the song whenever it comes on. This is the lasting power of truly classic art, which is severely lacking in today's music scene. Young, up and coming musicians can learn a lot from the texture of this early work.

James Taylor's songs are not the typical fabricated songs aimed for heavy radio play and chart-busting sales. His songs are real, written from his heart and experience. This has to be the best of his earlier work, free and easy, simple and yet complex when you pay attention. That's not to say that this is for everyone. It isn't. But for those who have a feeling for both the joy in life and the deep sorrow in life, this is music that communicates.

The title song opens the set, and tells you something of the performer, of his feeling for the subject of his song. As he continues with the next two songs, you get the feeling of a genial, feeling person sharing with you, revealing his thoughts in a smooth and mellow style.

So the fourth cut, "Steamroller", comes as a surprise, a change of pace, a display of the funky side of a young man of the 70's. But after this rather suggestive outburst, we settle back into the strong statement of "Country Road", of yearning and seeking.

Steven Foster's "Oh, Susannah" may have never before been sung in the context that it is here, and when a person realizes that this is being sung for his girl friend who so tragically left this world, it is heart wrenching. I can imagine that he may have sung this to her while she was alive, and now, he's still singing it to her. From this, we go into the classic "Fire And Rain", as he continues singing to her. The instrumental accompaniment here is dramatic at times.

After the emotional intensity of those two songs, we go to the hope, and the wanting of "Blossom". "Anywhere Like Heaven" portrays the country person who's been transplanted to the city and city life.

After the one rather lesser song, one necessary to contrast with what's to come, we have "Suite for 20G" which gives a solid climax to this set of songs with an upbeat performance featuring truly fantastic instrumentation.

There are those who just won't dig this and I hope that I have expressed accurately what this album is, so you have a good idea whether it is for you or not. If you like your music easy going and natural, but still with emotional depth, this...I am sure...CD's for you.

Aftermath of September 11, 2001. The first thing I did to center myself after the horrendous impact of the events was to listen to my most favorite album of all time, Sweet Baby James. I find the words to Fire & Rain so poignant for this unforgetable moment in time. Words written so many years ago are so perfect for today. If I were stranded on a dessert island with only one album, this would be it.Thank you James Taylor, your voice is comfort for the soul.