Since its release in 1976 James Taylor's Greatest Hits has been a staple in many music-lover's CD/album collections. And while it may be difficult to argue the inclusion of songs such as "Fire and Rain", "Sweet Baby James", "Mexico", "Carolina in My Mind" and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" in the collection, James Taylor has masterfully penned countless other pieces which do not appear on Greatest Hits. Yet these unknown songs are "hits" in their own right. What are these songs and where can they be found?
The 1971 album Mud Slide Slim is a 13 song set widely known for its centerpiece (and "greatest hit") "You've Got a Friend." It is ironic "Friend" is one of Taylor's most well-known songs even though it was written and recorded by Carole King for her Tapestry album the same year. Aside from King's world-wide hit, one of the true stand-out songs on this early James Taylor offering is the beautiful "You Can Close Your Eyes." With Taylor's signature acoustic guitar and finger-picking style, lush background harmonies (to which James himself contributed) and melancholy mood this song completely captures the singer/songwriter era: A man, his guitar, a few chords and the (sometimes sad) truth. Taylor croons: "I can sing this song, and you can sing this song...when I'm gone."
Mud Slide Slim also includes the haunting "Long Ago and Far Away." As is the case with "You Can Close Your Eyes" the bare-bones recording of this melodic tune supports the music production theory of "less is more." While most of the songs on the Greatest Hits album received the full treatment of bass, drums, lush harmonies etc. "Long Ago" and "Close Your Eyes" meet the ultimate songwriting challenge i.e. how does the song stand on its own with just James, his guitar and vocals? A quick listen to either piece provides the answer: Beautifully. Therefore it is of little surprise all these years later JT still sometimes opens his shows solo, with band waiting in the wings, with either of these songs.
The 1975 release Gorilla spawned the wonderfully vibrant "greatest hit" "Mexico". With its south-of-the-border feel, rousing chorus and musical hooks "Mexico" quickly became a staple in Taylor's sets. Yet hiding on the very same album is the greatest hit (that never was) "Lighthouse". Unlike the bare-bone production of "You Can Close Your Eyes" and "Long Ago and Far Away", "Lighthouse" received the full-treatment in the recording studio. Singers David Crosby and Graham Nash (from the super-group Crosby Stills and Nash) lent their distinctive (and un-mistakable) harmony vocals to the lush arrangement which included the full band. The result was arguably one of Taylor's most infectious songs.
In this digital age where downloading single tracks is the norm we no longer have to be bound by what record companies determine to be an artist's "greatest hits." In the case of James Taylor all one has to do is take the time and simply sample his collection. It will not take long to un-earth hidden jewels and the results will be your own version of James Taylor's Greatest Hits (That Weren't.) "You Can Close Your Eyes", "Long Ago and Far Away" and "Lighthouse" are a great place to start.
Kenn Morr is an internationally acclaimed Singer/Songwriter, Producer and Author with six albums to his credit. Originally from Long Island, NY, Kenn now resides in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains with his wife and two young sons and credits James Taylor as one of his major influences. For Morr information please visit http://www.kennmorrmusic.com/.
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