SOOTHING SOUNDS
Top 10 reasons why James Taylor and his Allentown show are special
Singer James Taylor's significance goes beyond popular music.
When he first became popular in the waning days of the 1960s, a time of turmoil perhaps unseen before or since, the soothing sound of his voice had a calming effect on a generation.
Then when Jay Leno left "The Tonight Show" in 2009, he chose Taylor as his final musical guest.
That same year, he performed at President Obama's inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, singing “Shower the People.” He also opened the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and performed "America the Beautiful" at Obama's second inauguration.
And in 2011, Taylor performed “You Can Close
Your Eyes” in New York City at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Now, nearly 50 years after his voice helped calm the rancor after the 1960s, Taylor seems to be that voice again. In the time when society again seems split by discord, he seems as popular as ever as people again seem to be looking for a voice to soothe them.
On Friday, Taylor plays a sold-out show at Allentown's PPL Center.
Here are 10 reasons James Taylor is an important figure in music, and why his show is likely to be a great one:
He helped define ’70s soft rock
Taylor's sweet and sentimental vocals helped him put a dozen songs in the Top 10 on various charts in that decade, including “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “Shower the People” and “Handy Man.”
During the '70s, he had eight gold or platinum albums, starting with 1970's triple-platinum “Sweet Baby James” and 1971's double-platinum “Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon,” and continuing through 1977's triple-platinum “J.T.”
His 1976 “Greatest Hits” album sold more than 11 million copies, and 43 years after its release, it remains among the 55 best-selling albums ever and
among the Top 20 by a solo artist.
In all, he has sold 35 million albums in the United States alone. That puts him among the Top 30 best-selling solo artists of all time.
Some of his songs are legitimate classics
Whether it's because Taylor's songs appeal to such a broad listening audience or because they touch people on a personal level, several have become classics.
“Carolina on My Mind,” released on his debut disc, was recorded while Taylor was overseas recording for The Beatles' Apple Records label, and reflect his homesickness.
“Fire and Rain” reportedly reflects his depression in the wake of a friend's suicide, the dissolution of his first band and his experiences with drug addiction and fame.
“You've Got a Friend,” was his first No. 1 hit and first gold record. It won him a Grammy Award as Best Male Pop Performance, and Song of the Year for he and writer Carole King.
After the ’70s, he rebounded
Even as the popularity of soft rock gave way to punk and new wave at the end of the '70s, Taylor's warm baritone voice and distinctive guitar-playing style extended his following.
In 1977, his album "J.T.," with its singles "Handy Man" and "Your Smiling Face," became his best-selling studio disc.
In the 1980s and '90s, his music morphed into adult contemporary, with the hit cover of Buddy Holly's “Everyday” and Taylor's own “Copperline.”
His popularity has continued
Even the 2000s were kind to Taylor: His two discs in that decade both hit Top 5.
In all, he's had more than a dozen gold and platinum albums — the latest being 2002's Grammy-nominated studio disc “October Road” and 2010's gold “Live at the Troubadour” with Carole King.
Taylor has won five Grammy Awards and in 2006 was chosen the Grammy-sponsored MusiCares Person of the Year. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the same year.
He continues to be influential
Taylor also has loaned his talents to others for their hits.
His 1974 duet with then-wife Carly Simon, “Mockingbird,” got her a Top 5 gold record. He also sang on the No. 1 hits “(What a) Wonderful Life” by Art Garfunkel in 1978 and Steve Winwood's “Back in the High Life Again” in 1986.
He since has been a duet partner on albums by artists including Amy Grant, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Mark Knopfler, and just last year did guest vocals on Charlie Puth's single “Change.”
His latest album was his first No. 1, ever
Taylor's most recent album, “Before This World,” has been out 3 ½ years. But considering it's the only disc of new material he's released since 2002, it's still his “new” disc.