Greatest Hits (James Taylor album)

Last updated

Greatest Hits
James Taylor - Greatest Hits.jpg
Greatest hits album by
James Taylor
ReleasedNovember 1976
RecordedDecember 1969 (1969-12) – October 1976 (1976-10)
Genre
Length43:42
Label Warner Bros.
Producer
James Taylor chronology
In the Pocket
(1976)		Greatest Hits
(1976)		 JT
(1977)

Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in November 1976 by Warner Bros. Records. It remains Taylor's best-selling album, with over 11 million units being sold in the United States, making it among the best-selling albums of the 1970's. [2] [3]

Contents

The album took place in the context of Taylor's end of his recording contract with Warner Records. It features redone versions of "Carolina in My Mind" and "Something in the Way She Moves", both of which had been previously included on Taylor's self-titled debut album in 1968. It also includes a previously unavailable live version of "Steamroller". [1]

The album did not rise higher than number 23 on the Billboard albums chart on its original release. However it became a steady seller for many years, and Greatest Hits has sold over 11,000,000 copies certifying it as an 11× Platinum album

In August 2012, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 albums chart, at number 15, which gave the album a new peak.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Christgau's Record Guide C [4]
MusicHound Rock 3.5/5 [5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [6]

Music critic William Ruhlmann gave the album a positive review, writing for AllMusic that it constitutes a "reasonable collection for an artist who wasn't particularly well-defined by his singles". While cautioning that the release did not quite show the "evolution" of Taylor's songwriting, he stated that it remains "a good sampler" of the artist's early work. [1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by James Taylor, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleOriginal releaseLength
1."Something in the Way She Moves" (1976 re-recording)original version from James Taylor , 19693:13
2."Carolina in My Mind" (1976 re-recording)original version from James Taylor4:00
3."Fire and Rain" Sweet Baby James , 19703:26
4."Sweet Baby James"Sweet Baby James2:55
5."Country Road"Sweet Baby James3:26
6."You've Got a Friend" (Carole King) Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon , 19714:33
Total length:21:33
Side two
No.TitleOriginal releaseLength
1."Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" One Man Dog , 19722:39
2."Walking Man" Walking Man , 19743:36
3."How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" (Holland-Dozier-Holland) Gorilla , 19753:39
4."Mexico"Gorilla3:01
5."Shower the People" In the Pocket , 19764:01
6."Steamroller" (live)original version from Sweet Baby James5:19
Total length:22:15

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Greatest Hits
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [11] 3× Platinum210,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [12] Gold50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [13] Platinum300,000*
United States (RIAA) [14] 11× Platinum11,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon</i> 1971 studio album by James Taylor

Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in April 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album was recorded between early January and late February of the same year.

<i>In the Pocket</i> (James Taylor album) 1976 studio album by James Taylor

In the Pocket is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor and his last to be released under Warner Bros. Records before signing with Columbia. Released in June 1976, the album found Taylor recording in the studio with many colleagues and friends, mainly Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Stevie Wonder and David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt, and Bonnie Raitt, among others.

<i>One Man Dog</i> 1972 studio album by James Taylor

One Man Dog is the fourth studio album by singer-songwriter James Taylor. Released on November 1, 1972, it features the hit "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight", which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard charts on January 13, 1973. The follow-up single, "One Man Parade", also charted but less successfully, peaking at number 67 in the US and reaching number 55 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. The basic tracks were primarily recorded in Taylor's home studio.

<i>Gorilla</i> (James Taylor album) 1975 studio album by James Taylor

Gorilla is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. Released in May 1975, it was more successful than Walking Man, his previous release. Two album tracks released as singles, "Mexico" and "How Sweet It Is ", rose to the top five on the Billboard charts. This would be Taylor's second-to-last album of new material for Warner Bros. Records, his last being In the Pocket. In many ways, Gorilla showcased Taylor's electric, lighter side that became evident on Walking Man. The song "Sarah Maria" is about his daughter Sally. His then-wife Carly Simon was featured on "How Sweet It Is ", originally recorded by Marvin Gaye. Jimmy Buffett recorded "Mexico" on his 1995 album Barometer Soup and performed "Lighthouse" during his Salty Piece of Land tour of 2005.

<i>JT</i> (album) 1977 studio album by James Taylor

JT is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. It was released on June 22, 1977, via Columbia Records, making it his first album released for the label. Recording session took place from March 15 to April 24, 1977, at The Sound Factory in Los Angeles with Val Garay. Production was handled by Peter Asher.

<i>Flag</i> (James Taylor album) 1979 studio album by James Taylor

Flag is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor released on May 1, 1979. The album included songs from Taylor's music score to Stephen Schwartz's Broadway musical, Working, based on the book by Studs Terkel.

<i>Souvenirs</i> (Dan Fogelberg album) 1974 studio album by Dan Fogelberg

Souvenirs is the second studio solo album by the American rock singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg. The album was released in late 1974, on the label Epic Records. The album reached No. 17 on the Billboard 200 in March 1975 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Joe Walsh produced the album and played on ten of the eleven tracks.

<i>Made in the Shade</i> 1975 greatest hits album by The Rolling Stones

Made in the Shade, released in 1975, is the third official compilation album by the Rolling Stones, and the first under their Atlantic Records contract. It covers material from Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St. (1972), Goats Head Soup (1973) and It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (1974).

<i>No Fences</i> 1990 studio album by Garth Brooks

No Fences is the second studio album by the American country music artist Garth Brooks. It was released on August 27, 1990, and reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. The album also reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. On the latter chart, it stayed in the top 40 for 126 weeks. No Fences remains Brooks' best-selling studio album to date with 18 million copies shipped in the US, and is the album that made him an international star. It was his first album issued in Europe.

<i>Music</i> (Carole King album) 1971 studio album by Carole King

Music is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Carole King. The album was released in December 1971.

<i>Hotcakes</i> (album) 1974 studio album by Carly Simon

Hotcakes is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on January 11, 1974. Featuring the major hits "Haven't Got Time for the Pain" and "Mockingbird", the latter a duet with her then-husband James Taylor, Hotcakes became one of Simon's biggest selling albums. Her first concept album, the autobiographical songs portray Simon happily married and beginning a family.

<i>Playing Possum</i> 1975 studio album by Carly Simon

Playing Possum is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on April 21, 1975.

<i>Boys in the Trees</i> 1978 studio album by Carly Simon

Boys in the Trees is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records in April 1978.

<i>Spy</i> (Carly Simon album) 1979 studio album by Carly Simon

Spy is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records in June 1979.

<i>Promised Land</i> (Elvis Presley album) 1975 studio album by Elvis Presley

Promised Land is the twenty-first studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released by RCA Records on January 8, 1975. It was recorded in December 1973 at Stax Records studios in Memphis and released on Presley's 40th birthday in January, 1975. In the US the album reached number 47 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and number 1 in Billboard's Top Country LPs chart, as well as the Cashbox Country albums chart. In the UK the album reached #21.

<i>Prisoner in Disguise</i> 1975 studio album by Linda Ronstadt

Prisoner In Disguise (1975) is Linda Ronstadt's sixth solo LP release and her second for the label Asylum Records. It followed Ronstadt's multi-platinum breakthrough album, Heart Like a Wheel, which became her first number one album on the US Billboard 200 album chart in early 1975.

<i>Get Closer</i> (Linda Ronstadt album) Album by Linda Ronstadt

Get Closer is the eleventh studio album by singer Linda Ronstadt, released in 1982.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Linda Ronstadt album) 1976 greatest hits album by Linda Ronstadt

Greatest Hits is Linda Ronstadt's first major compilation album, released at the end of 1976 for the holiday shopping season. It includes material from both her Capitol Records and Asylum Records output, and goes back to 1967 for The Stone Poneys' hit "Different Drum."

<i>Whats Wrong with This Picture?</i> (Andrew Gold album) 1976 studio album by Andrew Gold

What's Wrong with This Picture? is the second album by the singer-songwriter Andrew Gold. It was released in 1976 on Asylum Records. It includes the hit single "Lonely Boy" which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard singles chart featuring Linda Ronstadt on backing vocals. The album's artwork reflects its title, mimicking a style of visual puzzle that consists of various logical inconsistencies or paradoxes for the viewer to try to identify. One example is the view of the sea through the windows of the room, which are at different levels from one another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)</span> 1964 song performed by Marvin Gaye

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" is a song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye from his fifth studio album of the same name (1965). It was written in 1964 by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. The song title was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason's signature phrases, "How Sweet It Is!"

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 https://www.allmusic.com/album/r19702
  2. ↑ "JAMES TAYLOR album sales".
  3. ↑ "Best-selling albums of 1970's".
  4. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: T". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved March 15, 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  5. ↑ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide . Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p.  1124. ISBN   1-57859-061-2.
  6. ↑ "James Taylor: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  7. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 305. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  8. ↑ "James Taylor Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  9. ↑ "James Taylor Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  11. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  12. ↑ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. p. 953. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  13. ↑ "British album certifications – James Taylor – Greatest Hits". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  14. ↑ "American album certifications – James Taylor – Greatest Hits". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 6, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.