JAMES TAYLOR - WALKING MAN (GOLD CD)

James Taylor Walking Man on Gold CD from Audio Fidelity

Mastered by Steve Hoffman

Walking Man, James Taylor's fifth album, originally released in 1974,  finds him at a transitional period. This album is the first that has the contemporary JT feel to it, his sound and songwriting had matured. He still delivers the classic sound developed back in the Sweet Baby James era but the "one man and his guitar" format has given way to heavier orchestration and use of a horn section that gives the general sound more of a bite. The production is precise and manicured and always features Taylor's unique guitar style and at the center of each song is Taylor's friendly, vulnerable voice.

James alternates between ballads with strings, ballads with horns and solo ballads, as well as jazz and folk. There is a strong jazzy feeling on the whole album and occasionally the jazz takes risky, surprising and beautiful turns. The title song "Walking Man," released as the album's first single stands today as an often reprised fan favorite. Also included is the tender lullaby "Daddy's Baby," written in honor of Taylor's newly born daughter. Taylor delivers Chuck Berry's 1964 hit, "The Promised Land," with understated fidelity and joining James on his most unabashed rock effort to date, "Rock and Roll Is Music Now" is Carly Simon and Paul and Linda McCartney. Taylor has an understated way with a lyric but always hits his mark, which is the listener's heart.

Featuring stellar mastering by iconic engineer Steve Hoffman, Audio Fidelity's 24K + Gold Edition of this Taylor masterwork bests all prior editions. The audiophile label specializes in deluxe packaging with see-through slip cases and beautifully reproduced original graphics. As always, the original master tape was played back on a specially constructed vintage tube playback deck, with the analog masters put through the new "Kensei Audio Transformer," a process that adds even more life to the music.

James Taylor Walking Man Track Listing:

1.   Walking Man
2.   Rock 'N' Roll Is Music Now
3.   Let It All Fall Down
4.   Me And My Guitar  
5.   Daddy's Baby  
6.   Ain't No Song  
7.   Hello Old Friend 
8.   Migration  
9.   The Promised Land 
10.  Fading Away