New Moon Shine

James Taylor at his very best. I grew up his music in the 70s, but this arguably his best work. Thoughtful and hypnotic as only Taylor can deliver.

One of the best albums JT has ever done. This is an album you must own! Went to the Zac Brown band concert and they did Frozen man. It was a good rendition but no JT.

Taylor started as a confessional songwriter talking about himself in a way that let other people in, and however powerful that was, it's not something anybody can sustain over a long career. Here his writing and singing aren't so directly about himself but are more effectively evocative than anything before, especially on Copperline, Frozen Man, and Water is Wide (he didn't write but fantastic singing and arrangement). He also finally seems to want to let his fantastic guitar skills shine, and he does that on many of the tracks here. And who'd ever think a JT track would be as much fun as Got to Stop Thinking About That ? I'm willing to admit that some of these tracks aren't my favorite (Oh Brother and the Sam Cooke cover), but what's good on this album is great, and it seems to build the stage for the even better work on Hourglass and October Road. Oh, and the bit about Taylor not adding anything new? His work is all about nuance, craft and range, and if you listen carefully you'll hear a lot that's new. Not many albums go this gracefully from Bluegrass (Copperline) to Gospel (Shed a Little Light) to straight-ahead rock (Slapleather) back to folk (Water is Wide) and pop. The chord structures on many of these songs is simply way beyond almost anything else you here in pop without seeming precious or self-impressed. I don't know what else you'd expect.

but this is worth buying for fans and none fans alike. 'Copperline' & 'The Frozen Man' are the best songs.

This is a stellar collection of songs, by an artist who refuses to coast or rest on his laurels. James doesn't need me to defend him; the music stands on its own, memorable, thoughtful, beautiful songs that will stay with you. But I was moved to write by the inane iTunes review that seems to chide Taylor for not going hip hop or taking right-wing political stands. The iTunes reviewer seems put out that James Taylor put out a James Taylor album. James doesn't have to reinvent himself for you. These songs are too solid, tuneful, topical and relevant to be trashed by a fool.

This is one of those albums that I enjoyed even more rediscovering it on i-tunes. Although a Boston Red Sox loving New Englander, James Taylor was seasoned by his formative years in North Carolina and this album finds him "Going Carolina" more than on any of his others. Strong narratives, folk and funk, this is Tayor at his best. Stand outs include "Copperline" and "Shed a Little Light", but every track is excellent. The world is a better place for Mr. Taylor crafting songs.

I will offer The Frozen Man as JT at his best. An amazing narrative, nuanced and poignant, inspired, or so it is said, by an article in National Geographic Magazine. Time has been good to this record. Shed a Little Light has become a concert staple as has Copperline. Slap Leather serves to remind us of the Politics of the early 1990's. This is a major work by a national treasure.

This perhaps James' best work cover to cover. It spawned his 90's rebirth, leading into his stunning double disc, Live. This is not typical. Shed a Little Light, Copperline, and Frozen Man are genius.

Why does an album have to be "ground breaking"? James Taylor has consistently produced albums that could be listened to from beginning to end. The reviewer from all music is like most reviewers all opinion and no talent. This is an excellent album I love it!!! It's 2006 and I still play it from beginning to end. I buy quite a few CDs per year. This one was worth the money