I've been a JT fan for about three years now. I started out with the Greatest Hits CD and have sporatically bought some of his studio albums: Mud Slide Slim, Sweet Baby James, JT, Hourglass and Gorilla. I recently purchased "October Road." I wasn't overy impressed with the CD but it has grown on me ("Mean Old Man" and "Caroline I See You" being early favorites). Getting "October Road" inspired me to continue my JT album collection and I just purchased "Dad Loves His Work." I didn't have grand expectations for this CD because the album cover seemed drab and uninspired. Boy, was I wrong! Dare I say it, this is my favorite JT album and I thought I'd never say that after hearing "Hourglass." After hearing the last track, "That Lonesome Road," I didn't move for about five minutes. JT is a genius and a gift from God. "I Will Follow" is another favorite but to tell you the truth they're all gems. If you're a JT fan, this album is a MUST for your collection. Albums like this remind me why I find JT's music and voice so irresistible.

There is no doubt that this period was very dark. It is althroughout this album. Her Town Too, contrary to what some may think, is NOT about the Taylor's breakup. JT himself has stated this. On the surface, it is sometimes too easy to try to connect the dots. Not only was the marriage coming apart,but the loss of John Belushi is told in That Lonesome Road. With his passing, JT began the climb out of his addictions.Dad Loves His Work is the statement of JT's life, and what makes it.

All of the tracks on this album are good,but the standout for me is "The Lonesome Road." The harmonizing is gorgeous,and more importantly...the message in the song is a dead-on lesson in how to behave.Listen to it.Get this. JT is the best.

1981's "Dad Loves His Work" is mostly remembered for being James Taylor's divorce album, recorded in the midst of his collapsing marriage to Carly Simon. The album's title is said to be a response to an ultimatum given by Simon to cut back on touring to spend more time as a family. It's not quite as bleak as, say, Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" in its portrayal of love gone bad, but the listener can definitely sense trouble in many of the lyrics, most notably the hit single "Her Town Too," and the chilling closer "That Lonesome Road," the latter as much inspired by Taylor's then crippling drug addiction as his marital problems.

The album has some of Taylor's best and most underrated songs, including the sublime "I Will Follow," the biting blues "Hour that the Morning Comes," and the sultry "Only for Me." Taylor gets soulful on the opening shuffle "Hard Times," and rocks harder than most people probably realize he's capable of on "Stand and Fight." "Summer's Here" is light and breezy, and "London Town" is quite haunting. "Sugar Trade," co-written with Jimmy Buffet, is a bit too preachy for its own good, but isn't bad.

"Dad Loves His Work" is a top notch work, filled with some of Taylor's best, most personal lyrics reflecting a tumultous time in his life with grace and subtlety. Definitely recommended.

i first listened to james taylor when i was 21 (1985) while going out with a Brit in germany.It brings back lovely memories, not forgetting the absolutely amazingly modern style of james taylor, who has not got a wrinkle, as we french say. it's amazing to think that this was written in 1985 or so. i love his voice, he's so sensual, and i also love his poetry, all his songs have wonderful messages. i sometimes try to sing him, but somehow, it never sounds so great. enjoy!