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James Taylor's 15th studio album -- his first new recordings in 32 years -- is, if possible, even more familiar and self-referential than ever. By now, it is an article of faith that you could take practically any track from any Taylor album and put it on another one without disturbing the mood, and that is as true of the ones here as it is of those on the other 14. That warm (if slightly deepened) tenor, singing with its odd accent which combines New England and the North Carolina Piedmont, and that acoustic guitar, with its sparkling, unhurried fingerpicking, remain the most prominent elements in the sound. But even more, October Road finds Taylor seemingly intent on evoking his own past. The title track, of course, recalls his song "Country Road," and "Caroline I See You," (even if it refers specifically to his wife), inescapably echoes "Carolina in My Mind." Also, Taylor deliberately recycles themes from his earlier work. "October Road" begins, "Well I'm going back down maybe one more time," while "My Traveling Star" ends, "And shame on me for sure/For one more highway song." Throughout, on what seem like the most personal songs he has written in decades, Taylor appears to be commenting on a second chance he feels he has received, and though he couches the negative aspects in humor ("Mean Old Man," whose subject is the singer, ends with a dog joke, and "Raised Up Family," which contains recriminations, tosses in a musical reference to Gilligan's Island), there are strong hints of a man who feels he's been rescued. As such, it is perhaps fitting (if seasonally curious for an album released in the summer) to conclude with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," a holiday song from wartime that reaffirms the importance of family in a world gone awry. [This limited edition release features a bonus CD with the tracks "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "Benjamin," and "Sailing to Philadelphia."]
Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed
TRACK LISTINGS
Disc 1
1 September Grass 4:51
2 October Road 3:57
3 On The 4th of July 3:25
4 Whenever You're Ready 4:14
5 Belfast To Boston 4:16
6 Mean Old Man 3:44
7 My Traveling Star 3:55
8 Raised Up Family 4:40
9 Carry Me On My Way 4:30
10 Caroline I See You 4:58
11 Baby Buffalo 4:50
12 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:50
Disc 2
1 Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight 4:43
2 Benjamin 3:31
3 Sailing To Philadelphia 5:30
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