A Grammy nomination for American Standard

James received some exciting pre-Thanksgiving Grammy news this morning — American Standard has been nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album! This is James’s 19th career nomination (he’s won five times previously). James is grateful for the recognition and will keep a finger or two crossed. Kudos as well to James’s friends and co-producers, Dave O’Donnell and John Pizzarelli!

American Standard is available now, and don’t forget to check out James’s new digital EP, Over The Rainbow!

And that’s not all!

James extends his congratulations to the fantastic Steep Canyon Rangers, who were nominated in the Best Bluegrass Album category for their album North Carolina Songbook, which includes their cover of “Sweet Baby James“. Good luck, fellas!

Happy 70th Birthday, Livingston!

James’s younger brother, singer/songwriter (and Berklee College of Music instructor), Livingston Taylor, turns 70 years young tomorrow!

Happy birthday, Liv!

Over The Rainbow: The American Standard EP — (3 songs!)

Just in time for Thanksgiving, James has shared a surprise new 3-song digital release!

I’m so glad these three songs are getting a general release. We cut more songs than would fit on the album, ‘American Standard’, which made the promotional department happy. They find uses for the extra tracks, usually as “exclusive” material for the big box retailers. But I’ve regretted not giving these three pieces the exposure I think they deserve. My solo guitar version of “Over the Rainbow” has two points worth mentioning: first it keeps Yip Harburg’s original introductory verse, which is rare, though the song is forever popular. And second: its arrangement has more variations than any other “Rainbow” I’ve heard – it’s one chordy chart.

“I’ve Grown Accustomed to her Face” is from one of my parents’ favorite records, the cast recording of Lerner and Loewe’s ‘My Fair Lady’. “… damn, damn, damn, damn, damn… I’ve grown accustomed to her face…” Henry Higgins reluctantly realizes that he loves Liza Doolittle. Stuart Duncan plays a lovely tuned-down violin.

Another favorite from that family record collection was yet another cast album from another Broadway musical: ‘Peter Pan’, starring Mary Martin. My little brother, Livingston beat me to it years ago but here, also, is my version of the dreamy idyl, “Never Never Land”. Thank you for listening…
~James

Over The Rainbow: The American Standard EP is available to stream or purchase now.

#JTFanCover – “Sunny Skies

Click now to see Manchester-based musician Ben P William’s cover of “Sunny Skies”, a song from JT’s classic album Sweet Baby James.

If you would like to share your own #JTFanCover, please send us a link here!

Celebrating 100 Years of The Cabot!

On Thursday December 3 at 7pm ET The Cabot in Beverly, MA will host — FREE — Lights. Camera. Cabot 100 Celebration, a live streamed event featuring pre-recorded performances from James, John Hiatt, Grace Potter, Chris Thile, and more!

A North Shore (Massachusetts) treasure, The Cabot, which recently relaunched as performing arts center, is one of the last remaining movie palaces of the 1920. For more information and to RSVP to the celebration, please visit https://thecabot.org/cabot100celebration.

Yo-Yo Ma Livestream from Taiwan this weekend!

James’s good friend Yo Yo Ma has recorded Songs of Comfort and Hope (available December 11) with pianist, Kathryn Stott. The pair will perform an intimate live streamed concert at Weiwuying Concert Hall, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, tomorrow, November 14.

For more information and to get your ticket, please click here.

BBC ‘ 70 — “Riding On A Railroad”

Click now to watch “Riding On A Railroad” from the BBC’s 1970 classic, “James Taylor In Concert”, the newest video to be released from JT’s private vault.

Arrival on the West Coast — from Break Shot

James talks about moving to the West Coast to record his second album, Sweet Baby James, in this clip from the Break Shot release event at the Sheen Center earlier this year. Click below to watch now.

James on eTown radio/podcast

James guests on a special post-election episode of the podcast eTown. James’s previously recorded eTown performance is featured, along with a recent interview and a previously recorded TV performance of “A Change is Gonna Come”.

Download the episode at etown.org, or wherever you usually get your podcasts.