First time listening to James Taylor's Sweet Baby James

[@barbarasalley]

I know other people have expressed this before, but when I was a pre-teen/teenager in the 70's we weren't so concerned with musical genres. This was long before specialized radio stations and certainly well before satellite stations. Our radio stations played it all. We developed well rounded appreciation of many types of music because we would hear Motown followed by The Beatles followed by hard rock followed by funk followed by folk. With this specialization of "genre radio" we have lost that. James Taylor is one of those beautiful singer/songwriters that is almost a genre unto himself. His voice is the soundtrack of my generation.

[@lindamcmahan977]

Love James Taylor he lives in Chapel Hill ,NC. A BUNCH OF US WERE AT THE CAVE JAMMIN AND IN COMES JAMES. TAYLOR. WITHOUT ANY POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE HE JOINED RIGHT IN. VERY COOL NIGHT!!!!! KINDA A ONCE IN A LIFETIME THING. PEACE , LOVE AND HAPPINESS ✌️ ♥️ 🎸

[@dagmar.6954]

Love James Taylor. What a great singer songwriter. His style is more folk rock. I grew up with his music & had some of his records. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He had a lot of hits such as "You've Got A Friend", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)", "Fire & Rain", "Handy Man", "Carolina in My Mind", "Shower the People", "Your Smiling Face" etc. He was married at one time to Carly Simon. They had a few duets together including "Mockingbird" & "Devoted to You".

[@KevinRCarr]

Yet another great song from Mr. Taylor. His voice has been part of the soundtrack of my life going all the way back to the first time I heard him sing Carole King's song, You've Got A Friend when I was in about 7th grade. I really enjoy watching you young folk discovering the music I've loved for all of these decades.

[@NinjaBooKitty]

We had to sing this in school. We must be the same age. :)

[@jwmson7791]

FYI, James Taylor was played on pop/rock radio alone. He was never played on country. As one of the biggest acts of the 70’s, he and I’m sure all his fans would say he was strictly folk. ‘Country’ back, then was country western, and it was considered anything but a compliment to the younger generation, much the same as the way you grew up! James was married in the 70’s to Carly Simon, I’m sure you’ve heard her biggest hit - You’re so Vain. ♥️

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Love this song; love James Taylor.

[@DewayneGore]

James wrote this song for his new little nephew who was named after him. He wrote it as a lullabye for "Sweet Baby James". True Story. There is a video of him in the last few years (where he is old and bald like me) where he tells the story of this song. He was driving back to North Carolina to see the new baby, and wrote this song on the way here.

[@savageman2194]

He was traveling to meet his first nephew who was named for him. James is my favorite of all time.

[@sylviamcauley8454]

I saw him say this too

[@stevenbertling2826]

Check out his album Gorilla.

[@dbcooper2261]

Very true. Glad you posted.

[@brendachilders9779]

This is my favorite James Taylor song. I went to 2 of his concerts. One was with Carol King. Just love his music.

[@TexasMagnolia]

James Taylor was one of the Greatest Singer-Songwriter’s of the 70’s. His music doesn’t age and his Legend will never die.

[@pegdaluge5267]

Love James Taylor, I wore out his Hourglass album.

[@rickpallas2001]

Glad to see another JT reaction! I am old, and love to see a younger person appreciate the great music I grew up on in the 1960's 1970's.

[@juliacrabtree5198]

I need to share this with you... My mom's father was the first Southern Baptist missionary to the ranchers in AZ, NV, NM. He rode his horse to cowboy camps and taught The Bible and sang hymns... in the 40's and 50's. My mom's oldest brother was a ranch foreman for 40 years, on the largest ranch in Arizona. I love the legacy ✝️

[@EVGUITAR1975]

I first discovered this song when Garth Brooks did a Vegas show solo, no band just an acoustic guitar, and the whole show was about bands, singers and songs in each decade that influenced his music and he would play parts of some of those songs on the acoustic, and he played this one because James Taylor made a huge impact on his life and it just sounded so awesome to me. Just one guy and an acoustic guitar.

[@kerrichristian7991]

My husband and I got engaged at a James Taylor concert about 20 years ago! Beautiful voice!

[@24tink72]

I grew up on James Taylor, many, many songs you can listen to. Beautiful lyricist, beautiful songs, beautiful voice.

[@terri2494]

I LOVE his voice!

[@pwitherspoon100]

I named my son James Taylor. James after my husband and Taylor was for my grandfather. I was 18 and at that time I hadn’t discovered the singer. Once I did listen to him, he quickly became a favorite. So many of his sweet ballads give me feels.

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

James has had so many great songs. Hey Mister, That’s Me Up on the Jukebox is one. Another one is I Was a Fool to Care.

[@PaintingandExercise]

I am of the opinion that not every song that an artists sings has to be a masterpiece. It is similar to a gesture. Do they all have to be a Grand Gesture or can they also be a small, kind gesture that still impacts someone's life? A sweet, gentle song can still evoke soft, kind emotions. A person is more than just grand gestures. Who they are is the sum of all types of gestures. Who James Taylor is as an artist is the sum of his masterpiece songs and his sweet, simple songs.

[@melanieredfield9736]

James Taylor was, and still is, an icon among songwriters and folk music fans. He is probably best known for his collaboration with fellow songwriter/folksinger Carole King (who is herself a legend) performing g "You've Got A Friend"...truly an anthem of the1970's. My personal favorite performance is JT and his then-wife Carly Simon, performing a live version of their duet "Mockingbird". It showcases the fun side of both artists as they playfully flirt and upstage one another while delivering a great, high energy vocal performance. It's fun to watch & definitely shows an unusually flashy kind of showmanship from both artists!

[@denisetowe895]

This entire album is awesome ❤ put it on and listen to it from start to finish! You won’t be disappointed!

[@marieoleary527]

When I’m having a difficult day, when I arrive home, I need to put on some “James”. His music can be very calming.

[@StarGeezerTim]

Tons of songs to choose from, but "You've Got A Friend" is a personal favorite. It's a total vibe. Also, there's a gem of a duet with James and Alison Krauss (who has an angelic voice in her own right) doing a rip-your-heart-out cover of "How's The World Treating You?"

[@papabear2515]

Ahhh, James Taylor …. What a talent! He was one of THE voices of my teens and 20’s. Memories.

[@jeanwinders9556]

This is blasted every trip from Boston to Vermont especially in the winter. Love JT since the 70's.

[@user-kg7co9vi5r]

This was the first LP I ever bought. Years later when my sister came home with her kids I would get up early for work. My niece would be awake in her playpen waiting for me. I would get my coffee and her bottle in the kitchen and I would sing this to her, closest I knew to a Lullaby. Later, when my sister had returned home, my sister said " I don't understand it, at mom's she would sleep through the night, now she wants a bottle at 5:30 every morning.

[@jameseyman9078]

this was my lullaby as a baby. my mother even taught herself to play guitar just so she could play me this song herself. This was the first concert I ever went to at the age of 7. oh yeah, I was also named after James Taylor

[@nancykorensek4083]

My son's too. And, now his little daughters'!

[@tass1944]

This was my son’s lullaby as a child of course I sang Sweet baby John. House at Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins was another favorite.

[@jameseyman9078]

@@tass1944 "christopher robbin and I walked alone under branches lit up by the moon...". another family favorite. i used to love the gong part lol. I heard he supposedly wrote this when he was supposed to be studying for his college finals

[@megnotmegan1966]

Me too! My mom played it for me on the autoharp or the banjo ❤

[@threekidzmom04]

I love James Taylor from my teen years! I have chills listening to this. Thanks so much for reactions to it.

[@jealousjelly]

Great reaction to a song that brings back sweet, and sometimes melancholy, memories of a life I was living long before you were born. It's mind-blowing the way the internet, and particularly KZbin, can unite generations through music and transport us old geezers back to a time when nothing ached but our hearts.

[@ravenmccall5486]

My generation was the luckiest IMPO. We had so many genres of music! This was my favorite..folk music. JT, Carole King, Carly Simon, Buffy Saint Marie, Judy Collins, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce and on & on. Rock & Roll, Acid Rock, Soul, Country, and we still had the Ballad sings. From The Beatles to Aerosmith, I love it all, but you can't beat JT!

[@debbiechang5781]

My very first live music experience was a James Taylor concert with Carole King as the opening act. What could be better than that?? I love his music. This song is so sweet. Enjoy your James Taylor journey and thanks for taking us along. 🌺✌️

[@jeanwinders9556]

Wow! I wish i'd seen them together.

[@megnotmegan1966]

Holy cows! That must have been amazing!😊

[@cog4life]

Thanks! Glad u found him. 😊

[@SebsDuran]

Me too! And thank you for the help and support.

[@danielswood]

I feel so privileged as when a young kid, Dad would improvise lullabies on the baby grand piano we had downstairs till we went to sleep. We weren't wealthy! It sounds like we were, but there was a lot of saving money and taking out the front window to get the piano in. My dad played well, though. And did it with love. That was priceless.

[@lauriebutler4115]

Everyone STILL likes him! He is still performing and was prolific during the 70's and forward. I have seen him live a few times and he sounds the same live as he does recorded. Love James Taylor.

[@Denalicat]

This has always been my favorite James Taylor song.

[@astral_black]

You must listen to Carole King, she is the “James Taylor” of female song writers/performers. Anything from her album “Tapestry”

[@nanastan9]

True story, I once painted my bedroom in deep greens and blues because of this song.

[@stillfierce1]

Its crazy being older and hearing JT,brings tears to my eyes My cousin overdosed in 79,she would sit in front of the record player and listen to him for hours I can still see her I'm sure she thought "karen" was about her I saw him maybe 1980,he harmonised with himself on reel to reel Karen was gone by then JT reminds me of a time before death and life was fun and we were young funny how music can erase the years,its like a time machine

[@kmach1000]

Please, react to "You've got a friend" (written by another legend, Carol King) and "Shower the people". They're great songs!

[@susanyork5089]

Have seen him about 15 times , lovely man , he was married to Carly Simon in the 70s . A time of Carly , Carole King , Joni Mitchell , how can you not of heard him?🇬🇧

[@debrabeck9630]

Sang this to my first born whose middle name is James. It’s one of my favorite songs by anyone from any time. Love that you’re exploring James Taylor. ( Cowboy life IS hard, btw. You’re onto something there.)

[@nian_purkhard]

My favorite James Taylor song. I used to sing this song in my head throughout boot camp. It helped calm me down.

[@revaflowers3115]

Micheal Martin Murphy is a singer who changed from country/pop music to the cowboy songs genre. He has a lot music in his song book the idealizes the life of cowboys.

[@EVGUITAR1975]

I agree that you should continue listening to perhaps his most popular songs like “You Got A Friend”, etc but one that I recommend listening to as well, perhaps outside of making a video in case you don’t like it because it’s a slow song and not one that people might bring up, is “Our Town” which is an interesting song about the lifecycle of small towns, from being made, to peaking, and then to decaying. It’s from the Cars movie. I’ve seen shops close down a lot in small towns in the last ten years or so, so it kind of hits me when I listen to it and makes me think of how things change. Anyways thanks for listening to Sweet Baby James!

[@susanpeterson9947]

I remember that song from watching the Cars movie with my little grandson (SO many times!). It’s a beautiful, bittersweet song that’s well worth a reaction.

[@joycemullins3233]

"Handy Man" has always been my favorite from James Taylor, but "Your Smiling Face" always brings back childhood memories...

[@twwtjohns]

This song was a lullaby he wrote for his newborn nephew who had been named James in his honor.

[@cog4life]

One of the first songs I ever heard him sing on a vinyl LP album of the same name. 😊❤😊wow, where did the time go……thanks for this.

[@evanhughes1510]

An iconic singer/songwriter closely associated with James Taylor is Carole King. Her 1971 album Tapestry happens to be one of the best selling records of all time by a female artist. Everyone had that album, and it’s still influential today. You should definitely react to some Carole King songs, like It’s Too Late, So Far Away, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, You’ve Got a Friend…

[@terri2494]

They were friends and she wrote You’ve Got a Friend in response to his song Fire and Rain (“I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.”) She recorded You’ve Got a Friend and then he did his own beautiful cover of it.

[@evanhughes1510]

@@terri2494 in fact, it was James Taylor who convinced King to step out and become a performer, and not just a songwriter. She was reluctant to perform her songs for people due to shyness, but he pushed her to do it, and she did.

[@terri2494]

@@evanhughes1510 Thanks. I didn’t know that. It makes me wonder how much untapped potential is out there because people have never received the support and encouragement they needed to pursue their dreams.

[@joelliebler5690]

James had so many legendary incredible tunes including this. Here are a few more you will play over and over;How Sweet It Is,Mexico, Shower The People,Handyman, You Can Close Your Eyes,, Steamroller, Country Road, and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely tonight, just to name a few unforgettable tunes! He does many different styles!

[@lindasoto6243]

listen to daily in my car

[@laraewelch5217]

I was fortunate enough to see him perform in the early 80s.

[@susanengland3919]

The sing "You've Got A Friend" was one of his biggest hits.

[@TheDivayenta]

He wrote this for his newborn nephew, James. His country folk rock tunes are better than country music today. IMO. ❤

[@Homeinmygardenwithmydog]

Sang this to my kids when they were little at bedtime. I now sing it to my grandson. He is almost three and knows all of the words! Thanks James!

[@brandonbaker3396]

Garth Brooks loved James Taylor so much he named his first daughter James

[@edwardcrews2952]

One of the best live shows I’ve ever been to. His voice is amazing. Thank you

[@alanshepherd4304]

I bought this album way back in 1969/70, I was 16. Great album, great singer!! Jeeze I'm getting old!!😂😂🇬🇧

[@ravenmccall5486]

Ah, but do you still have it? I have mine!🤗

[@BillyPayseur]

Country Road is another great one from this album that received very little airplay.

[@rosemaryabbott1020]

I had that album and his second album when I was a teenager.

[@twwtjohns]

Technically it's more of a folk song though the instrumentation has country styling. This is a lullaby he wrote for his nephew not long after he was born.

[@tharnden79]

I so love James Taylor! Back in the early 2000s, I worked for an ortho Dr. he bought me tickets to see James in Tulsa. He is so amazing! Love him!

[@sbyman96]

This is always one of my favorite songs. It’s great live as well, I’d definitely recommend a live performance of this song with him and Carol King

[@deborahdean]

I've always liked James Taylor. You've Got a Friend is a personal favorite.

[@jestanuthername]

Awesome reaction, thank you for sharing. I learned some things about James Taylor I did not know and I like him even more for it.

[@MerrillHuber-r4g]

Same genre back in the day, check out Carole King - It's too late baby. Tapestry album. Everyone had it and knew the words to every song.

[@wearinganapron]

Yes, I did sing this lullaby to my own Baby James. : )

[@keithcarper8809]

One of my favorite JT songs. Try 'Steamroller Blues' to experience the full JT. ☮💚🎶

[@elkalabaw7665]

we called james taylor's genre "folk rock." iconic music of the early 70s. there were several proponents : paul simon, cat stevens, don mclean, jim croce etc.

[@wlg1223]

Carolina In My Mind is my favorite JT song. But I like all of the ones I have ever heard.

[@cottontails9003]

Even though I was born before this song, I absolutely love it .Thank you for the great reaction .

[@mariabryant6582]

We didn't just like him, we loved him and still do!

[@drooney9]

Soft Rock, Folk Rock or Easy Listening are the categories for this type of music.

[@Macilmoyle]

For another side, listen to him with his then wife, Carly Simon, performing Inez and Charley Foxx's song 'Mockingbird' live at the MUSE No Nukes concerts in NYC in 1979

[@joewoe4921]

When the Beatles formed Apple Records, James Taylor, with the help of Apples talent scout Peter Asher, was one of the first musicians the Beatles signed to their new label.

[@ukesrule58]

James and the immensely tallented Mary Hopkins. "Those were The Days (my friend)"

[@awesomeisasawesomedoesyo182]

I am a newbie guitar player at age 74. Love James Taylor. Sebs your reactions are great. New sub here.

[@dorothystorry1733]

Written for his nephew…. It’s a beautiful song..

[@Wordsmyth8]

I wouldn’t describe this as country just because there’s a steel guitar. Taylor is more of a folk-rock legend.

[@Code9]

Wanna go down possibly the most eclectic musical rabbit hole you can imagine? Give David Bromberg a try. You've heard the term "one hit wonder". Well, David Bromberg is a "No Hit Wonder". Yet if he came to town back in the 70s and 80s, tickets would sell like wildfire. Who was buying all those tickets to see a No Hit Wonder? His legions of fans, that's who. The guy has one of the biggest cult followings of anyone in the business even to this day. He has one of the most unique vocal deliveries ever. You hear one lyric out of his mouth at the beginning of a song and you know it's Bromberg. His repertoire ranges from old time cowboy tunes, to relatively obscure folk tunes, to rock-infused-jazz, to blues-infused novelty tunes, to vintage Americana, to.... well, more genre's and subgenres than I can even come up with words to describe. And he does it ALL with such skill, integrity and a wonderful sense of creativity. The average man/woman on the street has likely never even heard of him and yet he's highly respected and loved by industry musicians across the nation from L.A. to N.Y., from Texas to Nashville. The guy is one of the country's least known legends. Which might sound like an oxymoron but it's true. One thing's for sure: Bromberg can't be labeled as belonging to any single musical genre. He's just..... "Music".

[@jimedwards4214]

Garth Brooks bows at the feet of James Taylor..to the point almost speechless.

[@Mandy_James]

I used to rock my babies to sleep singing this song to them. They're all teenagers and adults now but I have so many memories to this song. ❤

[@juliacrabtree5198]

I was hoping you would do this one ❤ It's my favorite.

[@baskervillebee6097]

Birth gift for a baby nephew named after him. Written on the drive to meet him.

[@conniedean1977]

Check out “Mexico” and his tribute to Martin Luther King- the back up harmonies are heavenly!

[@Bar-l7w]

Saw James and carol king in Philly Awsome concert.

[@karnsfan]

One of the first, if not the first, artist signed by The Beatles Apple Records. He still tours and is just as good now as ever.

[@comanchy]

Yay. Ive been waiting for this one since you saw his duet Zac Brown

[@SandraMarkham-mq7hs]

You would LOVE; LOVE; LOVE Jim Croce!!!

[@steviemccormick3762]

Grew to love JT thru my sister who always had him playing !!!!

[@RuthKing-wm9nw]

Classic

[@jeffchampagne5587]

He has such an unbelievably, soothing voice, and I think that’s what you mean by spectacular but not spectacular. It’s just so comforting. She’s done some hard or songs you could listen to Steamroller for one and he and Linda Ronstadt did a fantastic rock cover of an old Ike and Tina Turner song called. I think it’s gonna work out fine and you should really listen to that.

[@lindakellogg7890]

So glad you did this one.

[@cuttnhorse2013]

Check out his movie made back in the years. It’s called (2 Lane Blacktop). It may not be your bag, but I was raised before and during the times.

[@willaputney3947]

ALWAYS LIKED JAMES TAYLOR WITH CAROL KING, TAPESTRY ALBUM OF HERS IS A FAVORITE

[@PaulJoeTX]

I used to sing this to my kid to make him sleep. Song tugs at me. My young man is 20 now! ❤

[@mandamorris7934]

Hot summer night... Cattle ranch... Southern New Mexico... The cool of the grass underfoot.... ...and a waltz barefoot with my cowboy after a day working cows... These days I waltz alone... The love of my life has gone to the other side now... But someday... we'll waltz on the Milky Way...

[@jameseyman9078]

i reccomend checking out "Frozen Man", "copperline", "Never die young", "Steamroller blues", "machine gun kelly"

[@genier7829]

Love songs i can sing along with when no one is around to make fun of me

[@sylviamcauley8454]

And still an incredibly performer

[@darreldstudie7588]

I love James Taylor and have for years. But I would love to see a reaction video to Brother Dege's Bastard's Blues. What a great song and somewhat unusual.

[@robertstephens4037]

Around the holidays, be sure to review "New Star Shining". It's a duet between James Taylor and Ricky Skaggs who you probably know best as the backup singer and mandolin player on Vince Gill's "Go Rest High On That Mountain". A talented bluegrass artist himself.

[@richardgoodall8614]

Country Road !

[@gregrodriguez5697]

My favorite JT song..and album.