Description
James Taylor – Before This World – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on June 16, 2015, Before This World is James Taylor’s nineteenth studio album and his first collection of new material in over a decade. Recorded principally at the historic Carriage House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut, the album was co-produced by Taylor alongside Dave O’Donnell and Steve Gadd, the latter contributing drums throughout. It features Taylor’s longtime collaborators—such as bassist Jimmy Johnson, keyboardist Larry Goldings, and multi-instrumentalist Luis Conte—alongside guest vocals from Taylor’s wife, actress and singer Kim Taylor, and a cameo by producer David Hodges on piano.
Before This World offers the warm intimacy and gentle melodic sensibility that have defined Taylor’s career, blending folk-rock balladry with touches of jazz and gospel. The title track opens the album with a hushed acoustic guitar and Taylor’s trademark, conversational vocal style, reflecting on gratitude and the simple moments that make life meaningful. Songs like “You and I Again” showcase his gift for crafting tender, narrative love songs, while “Angels of Fenway” offers a more regionally rooted homage—to Boston’s Fenway Park—melding nostalgic lyricism with a buoyant, horn-tinged arrangement. Throughout, Taylor’s lyrics meditate on themes of homecoming, personal reflection, and the passage of time, underscored by his ever-soothing voice and understated musicianship.
Before This World became a milestone in Taylor’s storied career: it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—his first album ever to top the chart—underscoring the enduring connection between Taylor and his audience. Critics praised its graceful songwriting and the warmth of its production, noting that even after decades in the spotlight, Taylor’s melodic gifts and lyrical sincerity remain undiminished. Songs such as “Today Today Today” and “You And I Again” quickly became staples in his live setlists, where their reflective spirit continues to resonate with longtime fans and newcomers alike. In blending nostalgic warmth with fresh perspective, Before This World stands as both a continuation of James Taylor’s legacy and a testament to his ongoing creative vitality.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Today Today Today
You And I Again
Angels Of Fenway
Stretch Of The Highway
Montana
Watchin’ Over Me
Snowtime
Before This World / Jolly Springtime Backing Vocals – Sting
Far Afghanistan
Wild Mountain Thyme
