Sweet Baby James

Listened Before? Y This one is an old staple of mine. A really good minimalist folk record, and the title track, Fire and Rain, and Country Road are classics. But my sleeper is Steamroller Blues! Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Steamroller Blues

short and sweet

Overall Rating - 4.36/5 (8.73/10). One of the great folk singers of the 20th century, and this album shows why.

The title track is a shining example of how you can make something so astoundingly MoR, so bittersweet. Not least the superb melody; but the gentle country-folk and lullaby vocal is like a warm hug from a fat Auntie. His vocal stops some of these tracks becoming trite - 'Sunny Skies' in another's mouth would be unbearable (I'm thinking Randy Newman as this does have a Toy Story flavour). James's vocal though is so unhistrionic and mellifluous; his unemotional style negates any twee overtones. It's undoubtedly fantastic. I'm caught between a four and five. If I was an aural sommelier, I'd pair it with American Pie as the 'night' listen and this as the brighter 'day' listen. As a creature of the night, I place it a micron below McLean's album.

Several amazing tracks, a couple meh tracks. Several tracks that feel a little cringey in retrospect. James Taylor thinks he's a grizzled old bluesman! He's a soft rock hero!

What a romp! Fun album from start to finish. Sweet Baby James is, well, sweet lol. Nice chill music. Lo And Behold starts out solid, but then the beat kicks in and it goes into overdrive. Steamroller has a nice blues feel. Country Road has some real good guitar work (as do several songs on the album). Oh Susannah was really fun, hearing James's rendition of the old nursery rhyme. Oh Baby Don't You Loose Your Lip On Me makes you feel like you're sitting in an old western saloon. And then Suite For 20 G just rocks out with killer guitar music. Fun times! Best song: Suite For 20 G

This album has all of the vibes I’d want for fall. James Taylor is a good singer, and the way the chords move in every song is just awesome. “Sweet Baby James” is a phenomenal opener. It’s kind of a lullaby, and it’s a sweet one. “Lo and Behold” becomes a bit more of a stomping gospel-ish folk song. Some references to the Lord are definitely evident, and the song is killer. “Sunny Skies” is just a folktale masquerading as an upbeat and jolly song. The biggest thing I love with this song is the chord movements. “Steamroller” turns the vibe to a bluesy sort of feel, and it fits James Taylor’s voice really well. A brass section also joins in on this song, making it feel like a nice walk with the coolest guy in town. “Country Road” is more in line with the folky James Taylor I know, and it kind of feels depressing. That’s what Taylor does best, though. “Oh, Susannah” is a cover of the folk song of the same name. Taylor’s voice and guitar arrangements fit really well as he plays the song over the span of two minutes. The arrangement also goes from country to jazz-ish and back. “Fire and Rain” is just a really good song in general. This is Taylor’s biggest hit, and it shows because of the emotion he put into it. “Blossom” feels like some kind of Joni Mitchell song. Even though James Taylor, a singer from Boston, and Mitchell, a singer from Canada, were born so far apart, it feels like they connected just to make this song. “Anywhere Like Heaven” is just a good song that one can definitely get lost in. The strings and lap steel definitely make an impact on this song’s vibe. “Oh Baby Don’t You Loose Your Lip on Me” is another bluesy song, but it recalls Robert Johnson rather than a big band swing composer. Taylor takes his sweet time with the guitar on this one. “Suite for 20 G” is a testament of a good ending to an album, as it’s just upbeat and folky. Overall, this album gets a 4/5. Oh Baby was a decent song, but at least the others are awesome.

Rather enjoyable for a country album, despite this not being my typical genre of choice. A little generic feeling at times, but I think that's because this album is the foundation for a lot of these musical tropes for singer-songwriter country.

I haven’t listened to James Taylor in a long time because I thought I was too cool now but turns out I’m not cool after all - still kinda like it.

Favorite Track: Fire and Rain

Sweet is an understatement, what a talent though

I really like James Taylor. Great voice and gentle songs

Country music aber trotzdem gut. Instrumentalisch gesehen sehr gut.

Short album. Pretty good. Will listen agaon

That was a very chill listen. I’ve heard Fire and Rain before and I really like that song. The rest of the album is pretty similar in tone and vibe but I liked that. Maybe because it’s the end of my work day and a chill vibe album was what I needed but I loved this!

Soothing

A decent, easy listen. Not super compelling, but good overall.

Beautiful voice. Need to be in the right mood to listen

Good vocals, smooth folk sound

в этот раз получилось наоборот, по обложке судя, заключил я, что говно меня ждёт но альбом хорош, чилловый и ковбойский, люблю такую музыку вдь ковбой я

Used to love, still pretty good, but I have outgrown my whiny antiestablishment mentality

Great voice

Back in the early 80’s, I had a thing for a girl who spun this guy daily. She was groovy and sweet, and we gave it a go for a little while. But I was a dedicated punk rocker, and JT was a bit slow and sappy for my plate. Alas, she cut me loose. No regrets. Now I imagine she’s out there somewhere, spinning around a sunlit room, barefoot and flower skirt, singing Fire and Rain to a room all her own. Makes me smile. Thanks for the memories.

sweet baby ray's barbecue sauce.

Good folk country songs !

This is my first exposure to James Taylor, and wow, call me a fan now. So sentimental, his voice and lyrics are very endearing

great folk artist and album

James is lekker bezig in z'n singer-songwriter-uppie, hij bluest wat, slaat een countryweggetje in, gaat op de romantische tour. Ik word ontzettend nostalgisch van dit soort muziek, ik wil in de herfst door de Amerikaanse bossen rijden, om me heen kijken en in een truckerscafé een slappe bak koffie doen. Er gewoon effe zijn. Wat dat betreft heb ik dit op een ideale dag gedraaid, in oktober. Verder dan de Betuwe zal ik vandaag wel niet komen, vrees ik.

Mag ik van jou in de categorie boomerkampvuursingersongwriters James Taylor? Kwartet! Dit kwam echt uit de hoogtijdagen van dit soort muziek, met oa Carole King en de door mij zo verguisde Joni. Alleen waar de stem van Joni bij mij door merg en been gaat, heeft ome Taylor een zoetgevooisder geluid, wat heerlijk zacht aanvoelt. Met als hoogtepunt Fire and Rain, schitterend nummer. Voor fijne muziek hoeft de review niet zo lang te zijn. Prima 4 sterren.

A perfect example of the genre. I was surprised to learn that it's so early because it sounds timeless. Really nice singer songwriter vibes with high quality guitar that is at its best when the blues is coming through with a minimal backing band. The song writing is top notch and it's an album that won't ever lose it's appeal. It's a tough one to rate because I don't feel much of an emotional connection but also feel like, for what it is, it couldn't be better. I will score it generously and put it on the list to revisit.

One of the classics of this genre and era. I also didn't realize that James Taylor also did some blues. Good album.

Reminds me of my dad. Can’t help but be nostalgic.

a little bit folk, a litte bit blues, a Lotta heart

Sweet Baby James Country Road Fire and Rain

There is something relentlessly likable about James Taylor. No matter how many times I have heard all of his radio hits, I still don’t seem to mind hearing them. And as is often the case in this project, I really dug the deep cuts on this album.

A solid album for those looking for folk and blues. “Steamroller” is better than I remember.

Great voice, but his music's always been too "adult contemporary" for me. I do love Fire and Rain, though, so this one gets 4* from that alone.

Favourite track: Sunny skies, Blossom

Seems like a great coffee shop album. I'd listen to this on a cozy couch with some fancy coffee and just hang out for a while.

I know this record well. In the Judd Apatow film “ Funny People” it’s quoted that the voice of god would sound like James Taylor. Great collection of songs that showcases the man’s talent. Underrated guitar player. Great poet with a voice to match. Horn section in “Steamroller” was divine. James even gets a little funky towards the end of the album. I love this album.

An easy listen with some nice and moving tracks. Taylor’s voice is smooth and has a nice blend of country / folk / rock sound. Sweet Baby James, Sunny Skies, and Country Road are the standout tracks for me.

This keeps reminding me of Neil Young but has reminded me: I like old country. This is good! James has a really smooth sweet voice. Oh, Susannah is great. The guitar work is excellent, just playing in along with the casual vocals. Great. Some of the others feel a little more bland. Suite for 20 G, Oh Baby..., and others fall flat but nothing that's unpleasant.

Favorite tracks: Lo and Behold, Sunny Skies, Fire and Rain

Banger holy crow

Surprisingly silly, lots of jokes and skits. But the good songs are amazing.

Хороший софт/фолк-рок альбом з легким кантрі впливом. Дуже теплий звук на альбомі. Після не самої приємної ночі через кончених сусідів було приємно послухати. Додав в бібліотеку бо ще точно повернусь

Щось в мене цей сайт не зберіг попередню рецензію. Якщо коротко - такий фолк я люблю. Ідеальна музика щоб включити вранці в неділю.

This had a contender for the best metaphor I’ve heard in a long while - “I’m a cement fixer, a churning urn of burning funk”. Actually quite enjoyed this. Guitar playing was good though restrained although I quite like that it wasn’t too showy here as I thought it fit the aesthetic.

Quite charming. Never really gotten in to Taylor, although I have heard some bits and pieces. This were perfectly relaxing for my morning commute and I enjoyed listening to it. Not something I’ll come back to that regularly, but I’d certainly not be disappointed if it happened to pop up again. Half decent.

This was really nice. Taylor has such a silky smooth voice, it's incredible. I'm very familiar with the hit radio single from this album but I hadn't heard much of the rest. Oh Susannah took me by surprise, I loved it! Altogether a very high quality release.

Fair play if you want a lovely bit of melody, JT is your guy. It also started raining on my run as soon as Fire and Rain came on. Was nice. Simpsons: Yes

Yeah it’s good stuff

Did not expect to like this as much as I did going into this. Never really listened to James Taylor but I expected more of a Bob Dylan vibe. It's definitely in that realm, but his voice is incredible and the rock aspect of it all was great on top of it all. This album flew by in a good way. Might have to start calling my brother Sweet Baby Van Vechten

Sweet baby Me. This was an extremely solid folk album. Fire and Rain always is a great song to listen to. Suite for 20g sounds nothing like the rest of the album but was a cool jazzy way to finish the album

Steamroller coming in HOT with those horns. That was some good ass folk rock there. Knew a few of the songs and they sounded great in the context of the album. We have been on a heater recently and I'm here for it.

Gostei. Conhecia algumas músicas, mas não é algo para ouvir no dia a dia.

I get it, FKA James Taylor is just about the most mellow rock star around. So mellow, I filtered him out of my lifelong algorithm. However, this record presented another perspective. Although his voice rivals the serene and docile sensation of an Ambien tablet, the selection and rendition of originals and blues/folk standards conveys a jubilation for rousing musical inspiration like 'Blues Brothers' and 'O Brother, Where Art Thou.' The way he salves my spirit with 'Steamroller' and gently breaks my heart with 'Oh, Susannah' and long for his velvety swat to the jaw with 'Don't You Loose Your Lip On Me.' There's the slightest chance he set all of this together ironically, and that would be alright.

James Taylor is a Classic

A little bluesy, a little folky, a little country. Very nice.

This is a 3.5 but I’ll round up because I listened to greatest hits a lot in college.

I hate james taylor

Pretty nice, don’t have much to say about it though. A standard sort of three and a half 3.5/5

good old country folk music. ни дать ни взять

Overall a very good album. Steamroller is bad, though. And Oh Susannah is unnecessary. Fire and Rain is amazing

Solde gut zu hörendes Country Album mit seichtem aber schlüssigem Konzept. Gerne mal wieder.

Fire and Rain was such a great song from my youth! Wasn't crazy about and of the other songs.

great album, gets fun at the end

James Taylor has a voice that is like your favorite t-shirt… very familiar without being feeling too worn. Soft but appealing. Loved this

Great album consensus is it's a 5 star record. I think there are a couple of tunes that are a little lightweight

James Taylor has such an incredible voice. So good that his songs can stand on their own with just his voice and some simple guitar in the background. Always a great artist to throw in the background and there's no songs you want to skip. I enjoyed some of the more soulful songs on this album and Fire and Rain is one of the greatest songs of all time. 8/10 (4/5)

It's about as chill as I expected, but the vocals are very, very pleasant to listen to.

I may be a sucker for this kind of singer songwriter music as my Mom had the James Taylor greatest hits record on repeat at my house, but even if so this is a classic.

Enjoyed this. Nice easy breezy listen. Especially the stretch from Oh Susanna to Blossom

Extremely talented guitar player, composer, lyricist, and singer. Rare talent Anywhere like heaven is a veritable country rock classics I’m not the biggest fan of his blues tracks (don’t you loose your lip on me, steamroller blues) of course great guitar work and good vocal range it just feels a little silly Standout tracks - Sweet Baby James, Anywhere But Heaven, Oh Susannah, Fire And Rain James Taylor owns the space of acoustic + drum + piano + country guitar solo Palatably complex acoustic guitar — best guitar is in anywhere but Heaven

Great album. Favourite track is Steamroller 4/5

James Taylor is a national treasure, and this is a sweet baby fastball of an album. I've loved Fire and Rain since I was young, and it’s surrounded on this record by gem after gem.

Very soothing, lovely

Loved it! Want to spend more time with this one. Wasn't too familiar with him before listening. He has an amazing voice and didn't feel repetitive like many other similar albums.

4/5

I don't know if "Oh Susannah" was a necessary song to put in there. I think of it more of a happy kids' song, not the somber thing JT put together. It's a nice folksy album, I have always liked James Taylor's voice. And it has the HIT on it as well. Top tracks: "Sweet Baby James," "Steamroller Blues," "Fire and Rain," "Suite For 20G"

Listened via YouTube music in the truck. Had heard most of these songs before from his best of album but the other tracks were really good if not a bit more country bluesy than the singles. Very much still a classic.

Ruhig und schön.

Pleasantly surprised that I liked this one. His voice blends really well with the acoustic guitar. The title track was probably my favorite.

Y'know, it came as a small surprise to me to find out that James Taylor had written "Steamroller Blues". Like, "Huh — really? For real?" Until now, I'd only thought of it as strictly a Vegas-era Elvis song, all pumped full of that glitzy cheese he'd grown so fond of. Which, I mean, let me tell you, is exactly why I like it so much. It's one of the best Vegas-era Elvis songs, if you ask me. It really does feel like a steamroller with how powerfully it can plow through. Jus, mm, it's so good. So imagine me finally listening to the original recording and finding out just how... Weak it feels by comparison. And, y'know, it's an unfair comparison, I get that. Putting the way Elvis can belt next to James Taylor's "typical sensitive folk singer-songwriter voice..." By my standards, Taylor could never compare. I'm aware of that. Though, just as well, I can't say like it doesn't represent a way I feel about the album as a whole. Like, look, it's far from a bad album. For one, for having that "typical voice," Taylor does it really well. I'm not gonna knock him on that front. And, y'know, most of the album is this country-tinged folk material, but there is a fair bit of variety to keep things from getting boring. There's "Steamroller Blues", of course (which, by the way, for the record is a parody), but "Oh Baby, Don't You Loose Your Lip On Me" is a nice sub 2-minute, blues-ish interlude, and "Suite For 20 G" is a big, fun album closer. Plus, the lyrics, from what I was able to read and comprehend (AuDHD brain, for those who're reading one of my reviews for the first time) seem pretty nice. However, my problem with this album is that most of it just comes off to me as, like... Soft. Which I don't mean as a completely damning criticism or anything; more just in the sense that, like, nothing on here ever really rose about being just "pleasant." And of course, there's worse things to be than that, but it makes it a little hard for me to hook onto, y'know? Like, you come back around to "Steamroller Blues" and it just doesn't hit as hard as I think it should. Really, the only time the album does get there for me is "Suite For 20 G", and by that time, well... Still, I'unno, I don't feel like being too hard on it just for that — unlike some people around here, y'know. Even if it's a bit too pillowy for me to be fully engaged, the instrumentation is great, it makes sure to vary itself up, and Taylor comes across as a fine singer and songwriter, so... Sure, fine. I'll give it a nod of recommendation and a pass. Just know that, personally, I'll be returning to Elvis's cover of "Steamroller Blues" plenty more times than I will this.

Surprisly great. Chill, good melodies, and it was catchy. I will be digging into more of is work

Light to DECENT 7. Definition of nice once you've reached the point in your life when you don't use that description as an insult

This is interesting. I thought I hated most music before about 1977. I was pretty sure I couldn't stand 60s/70s folk/soft rock. I've already decided that I haven't given 70s music a chance. I guess now I have to do the same with folk. Rating this is a bit difficult. I already knew I liked Fire and Rain at least a little. It's actually much better than I thought. Sweet Baby James and County Road are great too. The tracks I didn't like, I really didn't like, though. Oh, Susannah? Really? It's a 3.5. So 3 or 4?

Som en Ola Söderholm med självförtroende

Sweet Baby James ist Songwriting in Reinform – ehrlich, warm und voller feiner Beobachtungen. James Taylor braucht kein musikalisches Feuerwerk: Ein sanfter Fingerpicking-Stil, eine beruhigende Stimme und Texte, die wirken, als würden sie direkt aus einem Tagebuch kommen. Die Arrangements sind schlicht – manchmal fast schüchtern –, doch genau das lässt die Songs glänzen. „Fire and Rain“ ist ein melancholisches Meisterstück, „Sweet Baby James“ selbst eine moderne Cowboy-Ballade mit Schaukelstuhl-Charme. Kein orchestraler Bombast – aber großes Gefühl im Flanellhemd.

I know some of these songs and there were a few good new ones.

I wasn't familiar with James Taylor before. Singer songwriter and folk are genres that I don't really like. But I really liked this album. I could listen to it again. 4/5

A little underwhelmed tbh but I do love James Taylor always. But not as good as gorilla at all. Second half better

Приятный альбом, уютно было слушать в машине под дождём

This album is getting a lot of (hilarious) hate in the reviews, and I think some of those points are easy to understand. This is a pretty schmaltzy record that's easily digestible for the masses; "mom rock*," I think I read. Doesn't matter to me though. I love listening to James's finger-picking style, simple and impactful drums, and he's just got such a sweet, easy to listen to voice. He's always been a favorite artist of mine, even if he's not breaking ground. Not every album has to be the cornerstone of a genre; they can just be enjoyable. Art is supposed to make you feel, right? This makes me feel relaxed and happy. Great album. *BTW, my Mom also likes James Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Good shit

Good old fashioned country, back when country was good.

A personal favorite American singer-songwriter at his best.

Good

Some very good goods and some very MEH stuff in between. Good to have finally listened to the whole album!

Sounds really pleasant and good. There's also room for some variation, as somes tracks take elements from rock, blues or country. Still not really my thing, but I enjoy quite a lot.

In my mind, James Taylor falls into the same folk subset as Joni Mitchell and Carole King, both of whom have created some phenomenal music. It’s surprising how little James Taylor I’ve heard, but nothing on this album was familiar to me at all. I definitely did enjoy it though. To reuse a simile I’ve said before, it is like drinking a hot chocolate by a fireplace, but for the ears. It’s soft and warming, and never gets boring. For me, it’s not quite as beautiful as Joni and Carole, but it’s not far off.

Fire and Rain is such a beautiful song and means so much to me. A melody which resonates with my soul along with the very meaningful lyrics. So because that song alone is on this album make it one which I rate. James Taylor has a great voice and simple guitar style. A very laidback album which creates a mood that everything is right in your world. 4/5 8/4/25

Really like this. Great voice and some really nice tracks. Just on the four side of a 4.5.

Classic - mellow - will put you to sleep, make you tear up, make you feel good.

A good album, I liked Country Road and Oh Susannah the most.

I listened to the remaster, so I'm not sure how much changed from the original, but I really enjoyed the production on this one. Everything sounded crisp (bordering on saccharine).

Sweet, rich folk from one of the masters of the genre. Taylor's unique picking patterns and harmonic choices are probably at his peak on this album - before he went into the more poppy/lively direction. A shining example of singer-songwriting of the decade. Best Tracks: - Fire and Rain - Suite for 20 G - Anywhere Like Heaven Worst Tracks: - Oh Susannah Rating: 8.5/10

A nice album. Not my type of music pop country but this one was way above the average I give these genere albums. Exquisit songwriting and you can feel the passion on the voice. Im a fan of James Taylor now. Sometime a bit to repetitive but overall surprisingly good

Just a lovely thing to listen to. He makes it sound so effortless.

mom music, but good mom music

[4]

Great folk music

4/5 - I didn't realize this dude was the defacto folk rock singer.

21 years old. Wow

It's quite mellow, but upbeat. I love story time songs and there are a good few in this album.

ah, the smooth and silky voice of james taylor… the original JT.

I'm definitely overrating this one on account of the vocals. But after a slew of albums delivered by (frankly) bad singers – including SZA, Gang Of Four, Finley Quaye, Rahul Dev Burman, and Elvis Costello – somebody with a simple, strong voice like James Taylor's is a blessing. Everything about Sweet Baby James is sappy, conventional, boring... And yet it's delivered with such earnest that you can't help but love the guy. I completely understand why someone would give this 1 or 2 stars. I guess I'm giving a 4 to rebalance the scales a little. And because I'm a sucker for acoustic guitars. Taylor also sounds a heck of a lot better here than in "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" from the following year. He's not twangy, just smooth and comforting. Even though I think a low rating is justified here, I'm not convinced by the top upvoted reviews. - "It’s what I’d expect a murderer to have playing in the background whilst I’m strapped to a chair and he begins to systematically remove my face skin with a scalpel." Okay, but that probably wasn't happening to you. Surely the album is actually more enjoyable with the added juxtaposed relief that you aren't having your face removed? Like how horror movies can be fun, but being chased by an actual chainsaw murderer is not. - "The world is stagnant because of [James Taylor], failing to venture into richer realms of funk and rock, treading circular to nowhere, listening easy and listening safe." You could describe nearly all music of a given era like this. Any kind of acoustic soft-rock created before what's generally considered the musical "breakthrough" year – 1971 – shouldn't be thought of as regressive, but normal. And Taylor's clearly one of the best of his craft. The reviewer's comment above is like criticising high-quality punk music released during prime punk era for being too punky. 4/5 Key tracks: Sweet Baby James, Country Road, Blossom

I have a soft spot for James Taylor

I've never really liked James Taylor that much but there was some good stuff in this album

Yeah. James rocks.

That era of white man what a time

Fuckin love jommy

it's been 30+ years and I still can't listen to fire and rain all the way through

Beautiful, gentle voice, guitar, folk. Gets a bit too cheesy 70s Pop. Blues with weird lyrics. Fire and Rain.

Nice easy listening.

I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to these earlier James Taylor albums before. Sweet Baby James is remarkably beautiful. It’s a folk album, first and foremost, but there’s elements of soul, country western, blues, and even some bluegrass influences. It’s a far cry from the yacht rock I’ve come to expect from Mr. Taylor, and I really enjoyed it. The guitar work is fantastic, the singing is perfect for the music, and everything is arranged dead on. The horns on “Suite for 20 G” are an example of the excellent instrumental decisions made on this record. This is one of those records that I’m really glad I was exposed to by this project. 4*

JT should be the album in this book over Sweet Baby James. Sweet Baby James is James Taylor at his worst/best, while JT is the album which has more highs than lows and shows a better variety of Taylor's songwriting skills. Steamroller is bad, but it is supposed to be bad because it's a parody of bad blues songs. That's the thing though...Taylor doesn't necessarily sing the song as a parody or as tongue in cheek. Everyone knows the three big hits (Sweet Baby James, Country Road, Fire and Rain) and there are other good songs on here. Overall, it's a very top-loaded album with the hits and Oh Susannah isn't a necessary tune. Apparently, Taylor just needed more songs and that's probably why he did Oh Susannah. Personally, I prefer JT as this is too mellow and exhibits the worst among Taylor's tendencies.

Beautiful voice, great singer, surprisingly good guitar work. The album was a bit all over the place with a mix of folk, R&B, rock, and pop, but it was all great.

Generally, it is very pleasant. The more RnB elements feel forced, though

Boy that's James Taylor alright

Disco super agradável de ouvir, pena que dura somente 32 minutos. Instrumentos muito bem alinhados.

Not too shabby

A classic album! Saw him live in concert and had a great time.

I've long been a "hater" of James Taylor. Most of his work from the mid-70's onward is borderline unlistenable to me. His 1985 album in particular, That's Why I'm Here, is one of the worst albums I've ever had the misfortune of being subjected to against my will. The guy is just so fucking *vanilla*. And that's not untrue on this album, either. I mean, does anyone believe him when he says he's a "churning urn of burning funk"? However, the guy is clearly capable of writing some damn good songs, and in this particular stripped-down folky environment, he unfortunately concocts a highly listenable and enjoyable kryptonite to my Haterade. Touché, Mr. Taylor, and a tip of the cap to you. 4/5

Excellent slice of Americana.

Awesome chill sounds from my childhood

I find his voice very soothing. I want to listen while riding through the dark desert at night. Would I listen to it again? Maybe! I keep thinking he is singing to himself as Sweet Baby James, which is weird to me. But maybe that's the type of positive affirmation we need in our lives.

I really enjoy this old school 70s American rock / country genre.

I grew up with James Taylor playing in the background... 55 years later he's still one of my "go to" artists when I need to chill

I love james taylor, so probably a higher rating than the album acutally deserves, but I'd definitely listen again.

Really good folky rock. The blues songs were a bit jarring, they didn't really mesh with the rest of the album, but they were still good in their own right.

Another one I know with songs I know.

Nice album. I liked the blues songs

Classic folk tunes.

Such a soothing classic. Fire and Rain is an amazing piece of songwriting.

I was not expecting to fall in love with James Taylor. Sweet Baby James is so lovely and charming, and my listening experience felt like his music washing over me. Taylor effortlessly navigates between serenading me (or the listener, I guess) or creating a jammin' blues number. This album contains folk, country, and blues, but the final song contains a spot of jazz, just to spice it up. I'm picky with folk and country; I still wouldn't say James Taylor would be my first choice when listening to music, but I get it now. I guess I'm a sucker for singer songwriters.

4 - some very sweet melodic songs and not much filler

Woah this was actually really, really good. Surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

Lovely little folk album, was a good choice to start to day.

Mixture of country, blues, and rock music. James Taylor has a great voice, very soft spoken yet enthusiastic. Had a great time listening to the album. I enjoyed the country songs but not the blues ones. Standouts: Sweet Baby James, Country Road, Oh, Susannah, Fire and Rain, and Anywhere like Heaven.

Sweet and lovely classic American from James Taylor. His blues and classic covers are wonderful as well. Excellent vocals and guitar playing. Wonderful album and a great snapshot of James Taylor's work.

Nice cozy album with a few stand outs.

Fire and Rain -5 stars. Rest was easy listening.

Solid album. Brings me back to being a kid.

Really nice calming folk music. Standout tracks: Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain

It was very good. An enjoyable soundtrack for working: smooth and relaxing.

My mom listened to this when I was a kid in the 90s, and I'm just now realizing this came out in 1970. Really like the sound, very relaxing

Beautiful voice

decent

A very good album from a very good artist. Unmistakable soulful voice.

4.25

Standard de voz e violão.

apparently he's hated due to being 70s taylor swift or something? maybe theres a lot of covers on the album? as someone who doesnt know much of the context here, i liked the album and was impressed by some of the songs, did not get why fire and rain was so much more popular than the other songs, imo there's better ones, maybe the lyrics? anyway, good album!

Like! 4/5

First James Taylor album for me, and his second studio album (but the one that seems to have launched his fame). My impression of Taylor was basically unoffensive '70s soft rock, and while that's probably kind of true I did enjoy this album. It's fairly short and tight with 11 songs at only 32 minutes, but he does a good job of keeping the sound varied. It's mostly a folk-rock vibe, but there's a bit of country sound, it's bluesy at times, the rock side picks up here and there. It's not the greatest thing I've ever heard, but it's generally good. Throw in a couple of great songs ("Fire and Rain", "Country Road") and you've got a solid album. Favorite song: Fire and Rain Other: Sweet Baby James, Sunny Skies, Steamroller Blues, Country Road, Oh Susannah, Blossom, Anywhere like Heaven, Suite for 20 G 7/24/24

I'm not usually into sugary soft rock/folk music but this album is excellently made and it was a very pleasant listen. Not every song was memorable but the album as a whole is just great.

So easy to listen to and groove to.

simple but nice

A soft folk rock album that may be peak James.

I have always loved the soothing and comforting sounds of Taylor’s voice. This album is exceptional.

Listen, Aldrin, I'm not as laid back as people think. Now here's the deal: I'm going to play, and you're going to float there and like it.

A Voice sweet enough to make me forgive the steel guitar

This had some great tracks I wasn’t expecting. James has one of those amazing natural voices

I liked the guitar lines, got my head rocking a few times. I could see this rating being higher if I listened more

folkcountryrollo.

A very very good album with some of my favorite songs. Sweet Baby James, Country Road, and of course Fire and Rain are classics that rank among the best from any singer-songwriter. In between and around these tracks I don’t love it. I know some love Steamroller, but I think it’s an old song among the others on the album. Anyway, any album with the three songs mentioned above is a four star album at least.

Not every song is wonderful, but I have some really great memories with my parents seeing James Taylor live and listening to these albums. Boomer music, sure, but it's my boomer's music. 4/5

What to do... James Taylor has an unabashedly sweet voice and never overuses his talents or strains himself to hammer them home. He's understated and confident — to a fault with the inclusion of "Oh, Suzannah — and the standouts on this record are timeless and beautiful. They also speak to a depth of sadness and loss which belie the sweetness of the sounds he produces. But, I'll admit that I also lose interest as the music plays, it's understated to the point of abandon. So I'm going with a 4-star because everything on here is quality, but I'm more at a 3 in terms of my being enamored with the material as a whole.

An American treasure (even if I over listened to this album as a teen).

This was a very enjoyable album. Would recommend.

In a genre that usually doesn’t do much for me, I find myself really enjoying this album. At least I know I can enjoy a good folk album if I find the right one.

Whether by coincidence or matrix, this site has given me essentially three singer songwriters in a row. Amy Winehouse being a talented trainwreck, John Prine is all about the downtrodden country "my pickup truck broke down and my wife left and I don't have the money for booze..." sort of feel. Neither are in any way bad musically and they have thier places to be sure, but now we have James Taylor! This is what singer/ songwriter is all about. Life without total angst or total hardship. Just about normal people living and getting thrown those curveballs that sometimes graze and sometimes hurt bad. But there remains a hope in his work and a depth that is hard to obtain.

Really more of a 3, but I have a good amount of childhood nostalgia for James Taylor (especially Christmas CDs) and this is the only one we're getting. My favorite tracks are probably the ones with brass instruments throughout

I will never stop remembering my very dear friend every time this album plays. I miss him terribly. Yes, the album is saccharine, maudlin, but James Taylor is one of the best finger style guitar players there ever was. Minus one star for the just plain stupid metaphor of Steamroller.

Thought this was going to be your standard 70’s singer/songwriter country pop album after the first (and title) track. However, from there things markedly improve and I was pleasantly surprised as Taylor shows his range and things get groovy. Gospel, pop, blues, soul and R&B are all ticked off and the clean and warm production coupled with Taylors distinctive voice, sincere song writing, and melodic sensibility makes for an album that sound and feels comforting yet wistful. I thought ‘Sweet Baby James’ was wonderful.

I genuinely don't know if I've heard of this guy before. I feel like I've heard the name James Taylor before, but the name is so generic that I may have either made the name up on my own, thought of a different person, or misremembered an amalgamation of other names. It is possible though that I have heard of this guy because he seems to have a decent cultural impact, with this album selling over 3 million copies in the US. So, is this album good? Yeah. I liked it. The singing is good. It works for the style of music he wants to make. The sound is also quite nice. The guitar work is solid and the rest of the sound is also pleasant. There is a decent variety in the songs. The writing is thoughtful and there isn't really a bad song on here. Some songs blend together a bit, but others stand out. Overall, this is a pretty good album. I would be surprised to see that it didn't win the Grammy for album of the year, but it all makes sense when you see that it lost to Bridge Over Troubled Water. Light 4/5.

Brilliant!

I enjoyed that, it got me out of a mood. I got a bit worried at the first song, that this album would be difficult, but the 2nd song was good, and from then on it was easy sailing, with a decent groove on the last tune… nothing that memorable but my morning commute went peacefully

This is nice easy folk listening. It's pretty pleasant to listen to, even if it is at times fairly simple. My favorites were probably Sunny Skies and Blossom. His bluesy stuff was probably the most boring parts of the album to me but overall a good listen.

James Taylor is one of the greatest American born song writers. His casual blend of old Americana deep rooted blues and a tinge of Country Western and Swing allows him the dynamic ability to write heartwarming and tender tunes. This album deserves high praise although some might find it boring or bland. Look to Steamroller Blues and Suite for 20g for said dynamcism.

Nice enough. I was hoping this might be something a bit special (Tapestry MK II) but for me it’s good not great.

First album I listened to twice in one sitting.

Favorite

A bunch of little country-esq songs for the morning. Nice album to listen to in the morning, Taylor’s vocals are nice. Good vibes all around, cool!

Me sorprendió gratamente, estaba esperando algo aburrido que el de Joe Ely, pero i kinda fucked with it. 3.5

Wow a lot of hatred for JT on this site. It's a bit sweet and sappy at times. Also has that AM radio 70's soft rock vibe but that's what make is so good. Not quite 5 stars JT seems to also have a dud or two on his albums and this no exception.

Sadboi Country, schon boppin

7.5/10

Blind album, but some familiar tracks I enjoyed. Glad I got to see him live with Jackson Browne

I used to hate on JT so hard, primarily because of the white collar vanilla fan base he has established over years of churning out the blandest white man music on Earth. However, this album was before all of that. This album is a photograph of a young artist, just starting out, going through a number of personal struggles. And it’s honest as hell. Fire and Rain, for all the faults it inspired, is such an honest heartbreaking song. The songwriting on this album is great, but I’d also give a shoutout to the well timed usage of percussion to significantly enhance the potency of these tracks. Sunny Skies and Country Road are also standouts.

This is nice. Not incredible, but enjoyable. His trip into the blues is only notable for how out of place it is. It’s almost endearing if you couldn’t tell how full of himself he is. He’s goofy, so whatever. 4/5

smooooth voice

Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would

Favourite tracks: sweet baby James; fire and rain; country road

He has a pretty voice. My parents listened to this album a lot growing up.

Four nostalgic stars for this quiet album from back when I was alive

Wonderful album

Album: Sweet Baby James Artist: James Taylor Year: 1970 Genre: Folk Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this album was incredible. Love James and his ability to songwrite and tell stories. Fave song: Fire and Rain Would I listen again? 100%

Great solo album. Not many singers today do solo and those that do, don't do it well.

I dig the shit out of this. some blues acoustic guitar shredding, some bluegrass, some folk singer songwriter. Comes together for a solid blend.

Amazing soniscape and mixing. James Taylor has always been the quiet delicate fire and rain guy in my head, steamroller blues and others showed me he has more to offer.

Really loved this one. What a beautiful voice

Ég hefði átt að vera á lífi á 7. og 8. áratugnum. Ég hefði pottþétt verið hangandi í Keflavík algjörlega inspíreraður af allri þessari frábæru útlandatónlist. MItt stöff. James kannski heldur rólegur fyrir mig en stórgóður söngvari.

What a surprise!! Went in thinking I would find it incredibly boring and cheesy, but I like this more with each listen. It's not my preferred sound as far as late 60s/early 70s goes, but it fits the lyrics so well that I can't really complain. There are some moments of instrumentation I really enjoyed- like Country Road, which is pure Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet/Sticky Fingers. A few songs that I really like (Sunny Skies, Steamroller Blues, Fire and Rain surprisingly), some that I found nice, and only one really that I wish he hadn't included (Oh! Susanna) just because I personally am not a huge minstrel song fan. Hope that's not too controversial to say. Anyway, definitely going to revisit this one! I really can't overstate how surprised I was- I always thought Fire and Rain was this big dramatic mid 80s song for some reason.

Liked this, not a go-to though.

Smooth like butter

How sweet it is. Loved it then and love it still.

I grew up listening to James Taylor with my parents so this hits a particular soft spot for me. I'm not sure this is his best album in retrospect, but James Taylor definitely has a place on this list for me, if only for the pure hit of nostalgia.

A nice album. Easy listening.

An absolutely peaceful listen.

My friend told me in a record store “buy this record man you won’t regret it.” I don’t regret it. One of my first purchases.

My favorite so far

I wish it was slightly more bluesy but definitely solid overall.

Nice little country folk album. Didn't blow me away, but I liked it.

Laid back music I could relax to. Somewhat similar style to Jim Croce who I really like.

A little twee… but nice collection of songs. He’s a decent songwriter

surprisingly good album

Some songs were good, but two were unbearable, don't remember the names

Kaunis ääni eikä liiaksi pituudella pilattu, että ehtisi kyllästyä. 4/5

What is there to say about James Taylor. Lovely instrumental arrangements. Melding country, folk and rock. His voice…whispy but strong. An album that doesn’t really want to be skipped and shouldn’t. Each song is a new tale, told expertly by a storyteller of the most high. Well done Mr. Taylor!

4(+)

Lovely album - not quite perfect, but close.

James Taylor is good. “Fire and Rain” is rare in its ability to somehow help us find perspective in our own lives, though the words may not apply. My first experience with this album—Taylor’s take on “Oh, Susannah” left me considering the lyrics for the first time, as well as his formula for creating music that draws an emotional response. I decided that I would not want to see behind that curtain, and will continue as I was. I hold the public persona of James Taylor in high regard. This is an album to own on vinyl. A worn out sleeve and pops and crackles preferred.

Released in 1970, James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate listeners with its soulful melodies, introspective lyrics, and Taylor's signature soothing voice. This album is a quintessential representation of the singer-songwriter genre, and it remains a cornerstone of Taylor's remarkable career. From the moment you press play, "Sweet Baby James" transports you to a different era, one characterized by introspection, storytelling, and a deep connection to the human experience. The album's title track, "Sweet Baby James," is an instant classic, setting the tone for the entire record with its gentle guitar picking and Taylor's warm, heartfelt vocals. The song's lullaby-like quality makes it an enduring favorite for both longtime fans and new listeners. The album's lyrical depth is a testament to James Taylor's songwriting prowess. "Fire and Rain," arguably the most iconic track on the album, delves into Taylor's personal struggles with addiction, fame, and the loss of a close friend. The emotional weight of the song is palpable, and Taylor's voice conveys a sense of vulnerability that is both raw and profoundly moving. "Country Road" and "Sunny Skies" showcase Taylor's ability to blend folk and country influences seamlessly. The former's catchy melody and relatable lyrics evoke a sense of wanderlust, while the latter's upbeat tempo and joyful instrumentation provide a pleasant contrast to some of the album's more contemplative moments. One of the album's hidden gems is "Oh, Susanna," a whimsical and playful track that demonstrates Taylor's ability to infuse humor into his music. The song's light-hearted tone adds balance to the overall emotional depth of the album. "Steamroller Blues" injects a dose of bluesy energy into the mix, with Taylor's raspy vocals and the groovy rhythm making it impossible to resist tapping your foot along. It's a testament to Taylor's versatility as a musician. As the album progresses, songs like "Blossom" and "Anywhere Like Heaven" continue to showcase Taylor's gift for crafting evocative and introspective lyrics. His ability to turn ordinary experiences into profound moments of reflection is a hallmark of his songwriting. "Sweet Baby James" is an album that feels like a comforting friend, always ready to offer solace and understanding. James Taylor's voice is an instrument of solace itself, offering a soothing balm to the soul with every note. The album's production, marked by its simplicity and acoustic arrangements, allows the beauty of Taylor's songwriting and voice to shine brightly. In conclusion, "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor is an enduring masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on the music landscape. Its songs continue to resonate with audiences of all generations, and its timeless quality is a testament to the enduring talent of James Taylor as a singer-songwriter. If you haven't already experienced the magic of this album, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. It's a musical journey that will touch your heart and soul in ways you won't soon forget.

I'm a fan. The songwriting is amazing. The actual performances are honestly a tiny bit too polished -- I think there's more emotion in some of the live recordings floating around -- but it's not like there's anything wrong with the capture on the record. Good inclusion if somehow someone out there had missed out on hearing James Taylor.

i enjoyed this album and didn't really know any of it (beyond oh susannah, and not his version) beforehand. "sweet baby james" is kind of a ridiculous name for an album but i won't hold it against him. i also think he has a sort of matt mercer look/vibe on this album cover. good stuff. favorites: sweet baby james, steamroller, oh susannah, fire and rain

Just seems appropriate to have a whiskey and watch the sunset on the deck. Really enjoyed this album. Really easy to relax to this.

I can't stand the title of this album. It just always struck me as cutesy and self-congratulatory, maybe? I don't know. But there is no mix of acoustic guitar and vocals quite like ol' sweet baby James here. And there's at least one song here that is indelible.

No idea whether younger generations can get into JT? But having grown up with this music and hearing it again here for the first time in ages is like a great time machine. You might not love the singer/songwriter genre but I'll fight you if you hate a song like "Country Road" come on. The singles here are borderline legendary even if they seem rather simple (which may be in terms of production but the songwriting is genius on "Fire and Rain" and the title track). A few missteps (e.g. "Steamroller" which kind of sucks, and "Oh Susanna" which is just an odd choice to include) knocks this down for me but the best is so enjoyable that it remains a keeper. 8/10 4 stars.

I enjoyed this. Emotive.

Compact album with catchy, infectious tunes. I'll probably be coming back to this one

A good James Taylor album to relax and remember the only successful single, Fire and Rain.

Beautiful soulful, country record. James Taylor has a great voice and surrounds himself by very complimenting musicians! This is one of my timeless favourites and a record I will cherish! 8,5 out of 10

Most tracks didn't stick out for me, but it was pleasant throughout. Standout Tracks - Country Road - Oh Susanna - Sunny Skies Listened 05/25/23 8/1001

Good!

Music is pretty good. Listening environment today was p bad tho.

It's a lovely peaceful album; the bluesy numbers seem a bit incongruous with his voice, it's the gentle melodic guitar based songs that really speak to me on this album. Really liked it and would listen again, like an ageing hippy.

Not something I would usually go out of my way to listen to, ended up enjoying it more than I expected.

There are several really excellent songs on here. "Fire and Rain" is gorgeous, one of the true great songs of the 1970s. I've also long been a fan of the title track. The best songs are elegantly arranged and pleasant to listen to, with a nice contrast between sweetness and ennui. The worst songs lean to the hokey and James' attempts at the blues are just kind of dumb. On balance, this is still a pretty great album, which gets better on repeat listenings. Fave Songs: Fire and Rain; Sweet Baby James; Country Road; Anywhere Like Heaven; Blossom

A safe choice

Had never listened to this whole album before and it was delightfully cozy on a rainy Friday run. Had to dock a point because every time white musicians of that era try to get funky I can’t help picturing my parents and their friends trying dance and that’s a hard pass.

Heard already:)

ta bn verga

It's perfectly pleasurable.

I was surprised how much I liked this one.

The blues songs don't do a lot for me -- no surprise there -- but his folky and jazz numbers do.

Country Road, Fire and Rain, and Suite for 20G.

Great relaxing voice, amazing acoustic guitar. Fire and Rain and Baby James are all time classics and Suite for 20 G is a hell of a bop. Just a really soothing listen almost from start to finish... Steamrolller is just embarrassingly bad. It didn't fit with the rest of the album at all, took me out of the vibe of the rest of the songs. I just don't think James Taylor can really pull off a "I'm going to fuck you like a steamroller" sort of song. Awful stuff

Real pleasant surprise, wasnt expecting to like this quite as much as i did. Just a great voice and nice calm music to listen to.

A beautiful folk rock album

Such an iconic voice. Standouts: Sweet Baby Jane, Fire and Rain, Country Road Others: Lo and Behold, Sunny Skies, Steamroller, Oh Susannah, Blossom, Suite for 20 G 4/5

Not exactly my thing, but this guy's voice is great. The songs were pretty much a good length. Not a fan of the name of album itself, though. Fave track(s): Sunny Skies, Steamroller, Blossom

great, amazing blend

This may seem a bit soft by today's standards but, at the time, to vocalize words we couldn't otherwise express, the girls had Carole King with Tapestry and the guys had Sweet Baby James. Open any school year book from the era and both will be liberally sampled to represent the youthful sentiments of the day.

When I think of the career defining album of James Taylor, it's only, Sweet Baby James. Not only it his top selling, critically acclaimed and highest charted album (?), it's also his most consistent and memorable. If you're new to Taylor, skip the greatest hits record and start with SBJ. It contains his most classic songs before he became boring and self-indulgent.

First of all, “I’m a steamroller babe, I’m ‘bout to roll over you.” It was a folk album, until it wasn’t. That’s all you need to know.

Mellow vibes and Taylor has a pleasant folksy voice, but not much variety.

James Taylor was probably some of the first music I listened to. Like, from a time before my long-term memory was forming.

Somehow, I've never listened to James Taylor before, but I certainly know about his impact on the industry and how revered he is be so many. This is incredibly pleasant, i'm really enjoying it. I particularly love the acoustic work.

This was a difficult one to rate because some songs are *really* good but others are just generic melodies with honey syrup. More blues and grass would have been a better choice. However, in the end the album manages to encapsulate the 70s as a whole.

4,5. I dneska to zní moderně.

This was a pleasant listening experience, smooth and subtle. Really not much to say against it.

Essential singer songwriter record. The couple of blues tracks and the moments with big band horns didn't really age as well as the rest, but the straightforward folk/country rock songs are sweet, smart, and relatable. Definitely a timeless album and very nostalgic for me, reminds me of sitting around the house or riding in my mom's van as a kid.

I liked this. Come back to this album at some point for another listen

This is pretty mellow for my liking. It also is my first James Taylor album. I know him. Never listened to him though. Not bad. Not something I’d be to interested in listening to regularly. It feels timeless and dated at the same time. ‘Fire and Rain’ is a great song. But that’s about it for me on this one. For a greatest album, I feel like it should have more hits or really sticky songs. Cormac called it pleasant. But why am I listening this country stuff? 3.5/5 75/100

gostei do som da bateria. Eu conhecia o nome dele, mas acho que nunca tinha ouvido. Gostei do som, do estilo. Dá pra ver de onde muitos outros artistas de Folk Rock mais recente se inspiram,

That was just a really good album. James is very talented songwriter and, while I'm not a fan of steel guitar, the performances were pretty great as well. I kept finding myself wanting to dislike it because it felt a bit cheesy... But I couldn't dislike it. It just has such a nice vibe that it's hard to dislike.

Fire and Rain is one of the greatest songs. I remember the first time and with whom I heard it the first time. Good memories. And, Carol King playing piano.

Liked it a lot. Fire and rain is brilliant

The folk pop songs on this are pretty great. The "blues" songs are not.

This album gets 4 stars for the HOF Fire and Rain alone, with Country Road another good track. But it’s not an album that keeps my interest from start to finish and for that, 4 stars.

I think James Taylor is a great songwriter and I initially thought I'd be giving this album a 5/5. The standout tracks on this album are massive standouts for me, however, this album actually has some skip tracks for me as well. Some of the more bluesy songs I'm not as into. If I could I would probably give this album a 3.5, though since I know how strong James Taylor's output can be I'll round up to 4. Standout Tracks: Sweet Baby James, Country Road, Fire and Rain, Anywhere like Heaven, Suite for 20 G

Easy. Nice. Short.

The original JT! So smooth. Iconic.

It's stating the bloody obvious but I love the simplicity of singer songwriters. No clutter, no fuss. Just the songs and a stripped down approach to music. It's a very honest way of working and shows a great belief in your own talents. James Taylor carries this off effortlessly. There's a real mix of styles here, but the singer songwriter thing holds it all together. Some of the gospel reminded me of Alabama 3 - without the drugs; there was also nursery rhyme style chants that were oddly appealing. Steamroller Blues shows that JT has a sense of humour. I had no idea this was the original. I only previously knew the Elvis cover. Four stars on the first listen, probably five once I become more familiar with the songs.

Love James Taylor. This album has my favorite song by him, "Fire and Rain"

What an interesting album. James Taylor is a great songwriter with a very nice voice, but the style can get a little redundant to listen to after a minute. But then, out of nowhere, two big band tracks break up the monotony. I liked this a lot. Favorite track: Suite for 20 G

симпатичное из 70х немного/много кантри

I did really enjoy this

Sweet, beautiful, melancholic and peaceful.

Simple and fantastic! Great songwriting and he has a beautiful, effortless voice

Great voice and songwriting. The country wasn't too country, the blues were fun, the rest was pretty good too.

This music is so smooth, it's like landing on a soft pillow. "Fire and Rain" is a very moving song, I've heard it many times and it still hits me when I hear it.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I’m all for this old school folk/country. It probably helped I was driving on a highway for most of it, so it just worked well.

Sweet (Baby James) album. Can't go wrong with JT. 4/5.

Really liked this one

An enjoyable album, would be good on a road trip or a porch.

Love me some James

Classic.

Nice to chill out to