For more than 50 years, the voice of James Taylor has been that of an old friend, offering warmth, comfort, and reassurance in song.  While the singer-songwriter hasn't released a new album in four years, he's been a welcome presence on the road.  Now, the recording of one of his most beloved tours is coming to vinyl for the first time from Craft Recordings.  On June 7, the label will bring Taylor's 2007 One Man Band to a 2-LP set.  Housed in a gatefold jacket, it's been mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI.

Despite the album's title, the guitar-wielding Taylor had a little help from his friend, keyboardist Larry Goldings, as well as a drum machine.  These intimate performances allowed for many of the artist's classic songs to be heard anew, including "Carolina in My Mind," "Something in the Way She Moves," "Shower the People," "Sweet Baby James," "You've Got a Friend," and of course, "Fire and Rain."  For the 19-song setlist, Taylor also tapped his then-most recent album, 2002's October Road, for "Mean Old Man," and drew back to LPs like 1972's One Man Dog ("Chili Dog") and 1991's New Moon Shine ("Slap Leather") for deep cuts.  The raucous "Steamroller Blues" and affecting "Secret o' Life" are among the other classics preserved on the setlist.

Produced by Taylor with Dave O'Donnell, One Man Band was recorded in Pittsfield, Massachusetts' Colonial Theatre, a homecoming for the Massachusetts native.  It followed a three-year tour of the same name.  Taylor wrote in the liner notes,  "The last time I toured solo was in the late '70s. That's how I started out, just the guitar and a handful of songs. As time went by, I added other musicians because it's great playing in a big band. But from time to time...it's good to get back to basics and to present the songs in their original form."

One Man Band makes its vinyl debut on June 7.  It can be pre-ordered at the links below!~

James Taylor, One Man Band (Hear Music HMCD2-30516, 2007 - reissued Craft Recordings, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side A

1. Something In The Way She Moves
2. Never Die Young
3. The Frozen Man
4. Mean Old Man
5. School Song
6. Country Road

Side B

1. Slap Leather
2. My Traveling Star
3. You've Got A Friend
4. Steamroller Blues

Side C

1. Secret O' Life
2. Line 'Em Up
3. Chili Dog
4. Shower The People
5. Sweet Baby James

Side D

1. Carolina In My Mind
2. Fire And Rain
3. Copperline
4. You Can Close Your Eyes