What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Don't you just love those ingenious album covers?
Did volume 2 a few weeks back. This one comes out much better, and a diamond album for James, meaning 10 million
copies sold, compared to Volumes 2's pathetic gold status. Covering the six albums released in the years 70-76. Most
of it before he went all pop on us. Or did pop go James? Always wonder about that. When an artist that has been
around awhile becomes popular, is it because they changed or did the masses finally come around? Thus my brain
meanders this morning. Anyway, JT, good stuff here. Sweet Baby James was always my favorite. Probably that line
about the Berkshires. I can relate, having lived there for a spell. Beautiful country, and James birthplace. Not
sure what his biggest hit was off of here. Maybe Carole King's You've Got A Friend, a love track by either artist.
Seven of the twelve tracks here come out with a love, and nothing I don't like. Another cover, How Sweet It Is get's
my least favorite. Thought Jr. Walkers was much better. But James found out he could get a hit with them covers. He
also belts out some nice blues on a live version of his early Steamroller. The album made #23 when released.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

Best Track - Sweet Baby James

Well, there is a young cowboy he lives on the range
His horse and his cattle are his only companions
He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons
Just waiting for Summer, his pastures to change

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the dogies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear
As if maybe someone could hear

Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colours I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James

Now the first of December was covered with snow
And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
Though the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to see
That singing works just fine for me

So, Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colours I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby James

1) Something In The Way She Moves ** - no, that one's just called Something
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoevtZiVR4k
2) Carolina In My Mind *** - wow, he's got hair
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXmgkvIgc0w
3) Fire And Rain *** - live doesn't get any better than this
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOIo4lEpsPY
4) Sweet Baby James ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EZUw2mvjs
5) Country Road **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAAPS5vcVXI
6) You've Got A Friend ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEkIou3WFnM
7) Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_BQ_SUOQi0
8) Walking Man **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AiFTMfC7uQ
9) How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mp0rBHhXMs
10) Mexico ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQnHAb_6sOs
11) Shower The People *** - woops, there goes the hair
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkAhQBbK-oM
12) Steamroller **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfzMLRzH2yw

3's - 7
2's - 5
1's - 0

Grade - 2.6
allmusic - 2.6