Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor releases his new album, American Standard and it’s superb. The new collection marks Taylor’s 19th studio album and his first release since 2015’s Before This World, the first #1 album of his illustrious career. On American Standard, Taylor, reimagines some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century, infusing new sounds and fresh meaning into these timeless works of art. The album is available in a variety of formats including a limited edition 180-gram 45 RPM double LP.
Taylor is in the midst of a series of high-profile promotional appearances including last night’s iHeartRadio ICONS with James Taylor: In Celebration of His New Album American Standard, which was livestreamed and broadcast on radio stations across the country.
The 14 carefully chosen selections on American Standard naturally feature Taylor’s one-of-a-kind vocal ability and incomparable musicianship, but what makes the album so unique is the inventive way he and fellow co-producers, longtime collaborator Dave O’Donnell and esteemed guitarist John Pizzarelli, approached the project: beautifully simple, stripped-down guitar arrangements based on Taylor’s and Pizzarelli’s skillful guitar work rather than the more traditional piano. The effect is mesmerizing.
A small sampling of the album’s inspired repertoire includes James’ swinging take on Walter Donaldson and George A. Whiting’s “My Blue Heaven”, Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner’s enduring “Almost Like Being In Love”, from the score of Brigadoon; Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington’s enchanting “The Nearness of You”, Frank Loesser’s jaunty “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”, from the Broadway smash Guys and Dolls; Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s piercing social commentary from South Pacific, “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught”, a superb reading of the Billie Holiday-Arthur Herzog Jr. classic, “God Bless The Child”, and the first ever cover of a song originally featured in the 1938 Merrie Melodies cartoon Katnip Kollege, “As Easy As Rolling Off A Log”.
In a recent interview with Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning, Taylor talked about his inspiration for the new album as well as his previously released audio-only memoir Break Shot. A deeply personal and authentic memoir, Break Shot illuminates the deep connection Taylor has with the songs on American Standard, and also takes listeners through the triumphs and traumas of his childhood and difficult family life.
In addition to the new album, Taylor has announced a major US tour with special guest Jackson Browne, kicking off on May 15th at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The tour will reach 26 cities, nationwide. The US tour follows his already announced coast to coast Canadian Tour with Bonnie Raitt. Taylor will also be returning to Fenway Park in Boston with his All-Star Band on June 21st for a special show featuring Brandi Carlile and Shawn Colvin.
AMERICAN STANDARD TRACKLISTING:
My Blue Heaven(Walter Donaldson-George A. Whiting)
Moon River(Henry Mancini-Johnny Mercer)
Teach Me Tonight(Gene De Paul-Sammy Cahn)
As Easy As Rolling Off A Log (M.K. Jerome-Jack Scholl)
Almost Like Being In Love(Frederick Loewe-Alan Jay Lerner)
Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat(Frank Loesser)
The Nearness Of You(Hoagy Carmichael-Ned Washington)
You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught(Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein II)
God Bless The Child(Billie Holiday-Arthur Herzog Jr.)
Pennies From Heaven (Arthur Johnston-Johnny Burke)
My Heart Stood Still(Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart)
Ol’ Man River(Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II)
It’s Only A Paper Moon (Harold Arlen-Yip Hardburg-Billy Rose)
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top(Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein II)
Upcoming Canadian Tour Dates:
April 14 @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, BC, Canada *
April 15 @ Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada *
April 17 @ Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB, Canada *
April 19 @ Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB, Canada *
April 21 @ Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, MB, Canada *
April 24 @ Richcraft Live at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, ON, Canada *
April 25 @ Budweiser Gardens in London, ON, Canada *
April 27 @ Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada *
April 29 @ Centre Bell in Montreal, QC, Canada *
May 01 @ Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS, Canada *
May 02 @ Avenir Centre in Moncton, NB, Canada *
May 05 @ Mile One Centre in St. John’s, NL, Canada *
*James Taylor & his All-Star Band with special guest Bonnie Raitt
