Sudden success can change people, and not always for the better.
James Taylor had become an overnight sensation in 1970 on the strength of his second album, Sweet Baby James. One of those exact right albums at the exact right time, it went on to become an enduring classic of adult contemporary music.
So, all eyes (and ears) were on James Taylor in 1971 as he was preparing his follow up, wanting to see what he’d do for an encore. As he was wrapping up the sessions for a new album that became known as Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, his face appeared on the cover of Time Magazine and identifying him as a leader in the “bittersweet and low New Rock” movement, raising the stakes even higher.
However, all that glory didn’t change James Taylor’s music and Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon — released on March 16, 1971 — was an even bigger success than Sweet Baby James, charting higher on the Billboard Album charts at No. 2. (Sweet peaked at No. 3.) Mud Slide also produced what became his only No. 1 single, “You’ve Got A Friend.” With so much similarity between the two albums, I’ve always regarded the latter album as a companion piece to the former, the down-home Peter Asher production and Taylor’s mostly acoustic, mostly stripped down approach continuing to provide a breath of fresh air to those who want their rock on the lighter side.
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon isn’t a perfect record; “Soldiers” and “Isn’t It Nice To Be Home Again” are interesting but incomplete ideas that end too abruptly, while the title track lingers on a little too long. And the deep cuts are good, just not on the level of “Country Road” or “Blossom.”
There’s little else on this album to complain about, though, as James Taylor strung together another basically solid set of songs for an album that’s still a fine specimen of the classic 1970s singer-songwriter music.
Still very much in a confessional state, Taylor sings of sadness (“Hey Mister, That’s Me Up On The Jukebox,” “Long Ago And Far Away”), optimism (“Love Has Brought Me Around”), traveling (“Riding On A Railroad, “Let Me Ride,” “Highway Song”) and the comfort of reunion (“Home Again”). All in the classic style of James Taylor’s blend of folk, light rock, blues and a smattering of other roots music influences, with Taylor’s comforting tenor voice and gentle acoustic guitar putting it all together effortlessly and with an enduring appeal.
Accordingly, several of these songs — not just the hits — have become concert staples over the years. Many of the same personnel are brought over from the prior album, such as Carole King (composer of “You’ve Got A Friend”), drummer Russ Kunkel and guitarist and old Flying Machine bandmate Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar. Joni Mitchell joins for backing harmonies, which are especially nice on “Friend” and “Long Ago.”
Fast forward to 2012, and Audio Fidelity gave Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon a sparkling remaster treatment. These audio changes weren’t dramatic, but what was noticeable are improvements. Joni Mitchell’s background vocals are fleshed out a little better, and intricate guitar picking on “You’ve Got A Friend,” performed by both James Taylor and Danny Kortchmar, is more evident. Leland Sklar’s bass is better defined as well. This album marks the beginning of Sklar’s long association with Taylor and one of the more notable careers as an L.A. session bass player.
The commercial and critical achievement of Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon assured that James Taylor was not going to go down as a one-shot wonder. He didn’t really change anything in the way he makes music; heck, he hadn’t changed all that much from then to today, either. Then again, he didn’t need to. People wanted more of the same good stuff, and that’s what they got. And, with Audio Fidelity’s gold-disc remaster, we got it once more, sounding a little bit better than before.
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