Greatest Hits by James Taylor (Soft Rock)

Pros: Only covers his early work
Cons: You might have to admit to owning it to other people

My children have all gone through stages of screaming for no apparent reason while in the car. Believing that music soothes the savage beast I tried the radio. Commercials seemed to counteract the calming effects of the music. Once we had a vehicle with ...

Pros: Poetic lyrics, great acoustical sound, harmonious voice
Cons: Only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to JT hits!

THE ALBUM
Released in 1976, James Taylor's platinum Greatest Hits album, which comprises songs from his early musical career, was and still is a must-have album for any music collection. It's honest soothing, almost folk sounding songs are...

Pros: Great acoustic songs that have stood the test of time
Cons: none

I first heard of James Taylor 30 years ago last fall, when he
soared into the top-5 with "Fire and Rain." Taylor epitomized the
early-'70s singer-songwriter genre with...

Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing

Me, my mom and my brother were driving cross-country in our off white station wagon with the brown side-panels, you know the one. My father made the decision to separate from our family and some very good friends 3,000 miles away invited us to live...

Pros: Timeless, classic hits
Cons: Perhaps too "old" for younger music lovers

I've often been somewhat puzzled or confused by Gen-Xer's choices in albums and don't pretend to understand the appeal of some of their favorite artists. Still, I do know how one can attach to a particular album or artist and think of it as...

Pros: The fact that the CD begins playing
Cons: The fact that the CD eventually ends

I can't even begin to describe how integral James Taylor's music has been. His songwriting -- accompanied by only a guitar and a sincere voice -- single-handedly changed the face of folk rock for the remainder of the century. This spare, simple...

Pros: Excellent music
Cons: Your friends will want to take the cd home

James Taylor has always been one of my favorite artists. This album is the epitome of his style. JT speaks of feelings of vulnerability and love that it isn't cool, in the 90's and beyond, to speak of in public.

Nevertheless, JT still has a...

Pros: Every song a gem, enjoyable even by non-fans
Cons: Only covers JT's career through 1976

If you're a fan starting a collection, buy the "Live" double CD. For less serious fans, though, this is an essential addition to your collection.

There's absolutely nothing here but gems that will appeal to almost anyone. Unlike his...

Pros: Brilliant, Includes most of his really great songs
Cons: Only 12 songs!

So I may only be twenty-two, and this album was released a full year prior to my birth but I assure you that this should not discredit my opinion. This is a sampling of the stuff I grew up on and I actually have the record. . .you know. . .the...

Pros: smooth and friendly and gentle and nice
Cons: filled with gooey sentiment and cliche devices of soft rock

James Taylor is, in my humble and admittedly questionable opinion, the king of soft and schlocky pop-rock music. The question really comes down to, do you like that sort of thing?

As a child, my mother and I used to listen to ol' JT all the...

Pros: Memories, Memories, Memories
Cons: Slow And Boring At Times

This CD is a great collection of some classic songs from a great songwriter. So why did I give this CD only 4 stars? Essentially when it comes down to it, I just get bored by JT's style at times. He has a very slow and steady 70's type feel, that I...

Pros: there's a little something to appeal to everyone in jt's music !
Cons: not many record stores carry his entire collection.

I love James Taylor. I have since I was a child and his "Greatest Hits" cd will be the soundtrack for my funeral ! I have purchased so many copies of the Greatest Hits album (on tape) that I am probably a major contributing factor to its success ! ...

Pros: Great Voice, Great Songs, Great Guitar
Cons: none, only if they could fit more greats on

Though this may be a little one sided because i love James Taylor, I personally think James Taylor is the best one man guitarist/singer combo ever. Though you could make an argument with Hendrix or Clapton, James Taylor has one of the greatest voices...

Pros: The man is a genius.
Cons: You got me!

When I was trying to figure out what I'd be (now that I've grown up). I wanted a career where I could really contribute. Other people have helped me so much I have a strong sense of owing something, or wanting to pay back the world for the food I eat and the air I breathe.

So I discounted the idea of being a singer/songwriter. It seemed like a rather self-absorbed profession. That is UNTIL I HEAR JAMES TAYLOR. I had never experienced the comfort that an honest voice, fresh chord progressions and heartfelt and intelligent lyrics can have.

I mean talk about "eye on the donut, not on the hole." I personally have enough angst on my plate without allowing some tortured poet to dump more on me. I listen to JT and I always feel better.

He's my hero. Listening to him I understood the power of music to fortify and comfort in a way that no therapist's couch ever could. Knowing what was possible inspired me to pursue my own dreams.

If it says James Taylor on it, you can't go wrong.