If I were to come up with the most interesting topic for a video that I could possibly imagine it would be James Taylor talking about his guitars. This could be an entire television series or even a 24-hour channel.as far as I am concerned....For now, I will simply savor the 13 1/2 minute video above....
Right? I was impressed with the Yamaha. My first guitar was a Yamaha FG-750S from 1979. A solid wood instrument that just plays and sounds like a dream. I recently had it gone over by a professional luthier, and I wouldn’t trade that baby for all the Martins and Gibsons out there.
Just to add to his story about auditioning for McCartney & Harrison, Peter Asher was also there as he’d brought Taylor to their attention and Paul was dating (or had been dating) his sister Jane. Paul liked what he heard from James, turned to Asher and said “You want to produce him?” Asher nodded “OK, go ahead then” and James Taylor was signed to Apple Records.
Those guitars should be safely kept as American treasures just as how Egypt treasures their precious ancient artifacts. From the Philippines Mabuhay to you JT.
That J50 is amazing ! I recognized that guitar as James's immediately upon hearing the first few notes ! That guitar is the original James Taylor sound !
That's why I've hung on to my 69 J 50 all these years . I actually learned on a J45 and a ovation matrix non electric back in 76. I'm actually a veteran drummer but wanted to write and by age 20 I was playing pretty good. The J 50 is a great guitar.
James. I am 57. Growing up in Ohio, riding our bikes, warm and peaceful summer days of the seventies. I started really listening to music and playing the classic school flute. I progressed from there and listened to many of the seventies ( probably the best decade) great singer song writers etc. You were one of my favorites and of course, still are. Thanks so very much. I grew up with you and some of my other favorites. Although we will likely never meet….you’ve got a friend.
The barn has fantastic sound! However of all your guitars the J50 and Yamaha caught my attention. I've always loved your sound and noticed that they both have that great intonation. Thanks for you music - always been uplifting.
I sure do love your storytelling, JT. Whether it be in song or monolog. This was a wonderful history of your guitars and their place in your life chapters. My wife and I saw you in Ohio when you performed with your son Ben. Your music was my constant companion during my stressful college years in the 1970's. I would grind away with studies and exam angst, but when I was at my wits end, your early albums would always comfort me. I spent many a night drifting asleep to those glorious tunes from yesteryear.
Wonderful story James! I started with a $69 Norma electric I pestered my dad enough to buy me in 1969. I was 12 and fell in love with that little crappy guitar. Three years later that was followed by my first acoustic...a $150 Harmony. Over the years, I’ve been through Epiphones, Yamahas, a Tacoma and a few others I can’t remember, but still have a fondness of those early guitars, which I still have. My current is a Taylor and at 62 years old, am itching to give an electric another try. My guitars have been my therapy throughout a life of ups and downs. Thank you again James!
And that Mr Taylor, is why I saved for five years to have James Olson make me a JT cutaway SJ (without the signature...). It is a visceral thing, to play it and there is nothing like it. When JT, David Wilcox, Leo Kottke and Phil Keaggy play the same instrument, even EF Hutton listens... Thanks for this walk down your memory lane.
@vsurg - Sir Paul McCartney was gifted an Olson Guitar by none other than Phil Keaggy when they invited Phil to a private family wedding to perform. If you search google you will find Phil and Paul sitting on an edge of a bed playing guitar together.
I believe the first James Olson guitar that he commissioned was actually bought ahead of taking delivery by Justin Hayward because he loved it too much
When I discovered Wilcox in ‘89 he was playing a guild but when he switched to the Olson i noticed. It wasn’t until many years later, on a Blink-182 record in 2003 of all things, when i was assistant engineering in LA, that the producer Jerry Finn asked me to grab his acoustic to record. I opened up the case and, like the suitcase in pulp fiction with the underglow, i had come face to face with the unicorn. One strum and that was it. I still have my Collings 02H simply bc i didn’t have the $10k or the patience to obtain an Olson. Enjoy yours, buddy. The acoustic on Blink’s “I Miss You” is an Olson
I could listen to James talk all day. That was VERY interesting! Hearing him play those first notes of "Something.." literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you James and videographer for this wonderful piece. Keep talking James...
One thing I love about James Taylor is his down to earth approach to everything! Such a great talent and humble attitude. I have loved every one of the concerts I have been to. Great sense of humour. Keep up the great work James!
This was a pleasure, JT. Thank you for sharing it. On a side note, I grew up learning to play fingerstyle guitar on your records and songbooks. You are holding a guitar on the cover of one of the "James Taylor Complete" songbooks with a big W on the headstock. I thought for years that it was an early Washburn, and "I was today years old," as the young folks say, when I recognized that it must have been your other Mark Whitebrook (it didn't have the tattoo inlay on the headstock, just the W). Your music has meant enough to me over the years that I've remembered all these details. As a lover of guitar and great lutherie in general, It's really a treasure to hear a few more of the stories behind the tools of your trade.
What a treat listening to you talk about your guitars.......they sound amazing. And I'm still listening to a few of your albums on vinyl after 50 some years and never get tired of them, Thanks for all the great memories of those great times 😀
As a guitar player and huge JT fan, thank you for this great video. JT certainly was one of the biggest influences in my life. His songs always mellow me out in this crazy world!
These "arachic minutiaic" shares are wonderful. Having a close relationship with the instruments creates an energetic bond which is as real as any other relationship in life. The woods, metals and ingredients of an instrument absorb, then reflect back this devotion, love and friendship. Thank you for this share.
My first guitar was a Yamaha that my Dad found floating down the Merrimack River with a big hole in the bottom. I still have it 35 years later and it still sounds great.
Well, this is just wonderful! 👏👏👏 When you play the first notes of “Something in the Way She Moves” on your Gibson... 😭 Nobody sounds like James Taylor. Nobody! Thank you so much for this video! It is a treasure! 🙏
I first heard Fire and Rain on vinyl when I was in high school in the 1990s, and I had to know how that sound was being made. I walked through every music store I could visit in 3-states, plucking the low E string of every acoustic guitar until one day one's resonance spoke to me. It also fortuitously resembled Mr. Taylor's Olsons. It was a 1995 LL-11. Imagine my astonishment decades later when I learned JT owned a very similar model. Finally got to see him live in Shreveport about 6-yrs ago.
I saw the Yamaha and the Tele, and I was like, "Yes!". I had a Takamine too for a while. It was a good guitar. My Yamaha is one of the lower price models, the FS800, but I will never give it up. Plays great and sounds great for a $200 guitar.
The epitome of a singer/songwriter telling us about his life! I am getting through this difficult time with James as my background to stabilize me. I am rediscovering his songs with a new sense of what is important in life. I’m about his age...can relate to him somewhat from 3,000 miles away. I’m glad we get to see his guitars and their meaning for him. He has a great soul! ✌🏼
Interesting. I like that electric. Can relate to your story of the blue guitar and especially to that old Gibson. My dad gave me my very first guitar, a Westwood. I loved it but it was eventually stolen outside of a Dead show. I have an old Norman that is a similar story to your Gibson. I hitchhiked from SF to Vancouver BC to buy it after saving my pennies for a million years b/c you couldn't get one in the States at that time. For about 10 years it was literally my right arm. I traveled around much of the country with it, playing little gigs and working odd jobs. I started out with Bluegrass, some folk. The guitar has been through a lot but yet survives. There is no replacing an instrument you have that kind of history with. Appreciate the share - not arcane minutae if you're interested in guitars and good music. 🎼🕊🗽
I hate to go to such a morbid place but hell, JT’s music always nails a bullseye in my soul of the fragility of life and love… seeing him age, gracefully nonetheless, horrifyingly reminds me that one day he’ll leave us. And a man that can make me weep before the end of his intros will be gone. And that is so very unfair.
what a genuinely decent, humble human being..no ego.no flashiness..just a good person, oh and a very very good singer/songwriter toboot!....such a refreshing change from most of todays "stars/celebs" etc...quite inspirational...ps, im just off to pick up my ovation semi acoustic and have a play..thank you James Taylor.
Dear James, you should make a solo or small trio acoustic--y etc album of new songs OR rootsy /trad covers with the old Gibson, that vibe is unique...,and a large part of your legacy to us original fans !
He started pickn and I instantly wanted to put on the lp. Big fan Mr. Taylor, thanks for the hrs. of good listening. Edit: I liked how he picked a different song with each guitar and how he just proved ya don't need crazy expensive guitars to sound great
Really enjoy the history of the guitars and the details that James gives. Really appreciate the time and work that is involved for posting these. Thank You🙏
I've looked for steel string guitars that have a slightly wider neck for years and could never find one. Then I stumbled onto Orangewood guitars. The Echo had a 44 mm nut. They are no where near the quality of the guitars he has, but it suites me fine.
one of the most interesting videos I've seen in a long time. I grew up on James Taylor tunes. Probably he got me really interested in guitar playing. This is not minutia to us. What comes across here is you are not a guitar snob as many others are. You show people that it is possible to make terrific art from very modest equipment. Thanks so much for this, and so much for your art these many years!
I you read this James because I remember seeing you in London a few years back, I think it was the Royal Albert Hall but could be the Hammersmith Odean, and you did something I've never witnessed before, instead of walking off at the break you sat on the edge of the stage signing autographs and having pictures done, what a great thing to do.
Your sister is misguided. You are obviously not a believer. Twice in the Pentateuch, Moses tells us to put no markings on our body. That means No Tattoos!
PS: My Dad worked for British Airways in Boston from '77-'01, and I'll never forget him coming home and telling us the story of the loss of your guitar in London. I have never been able to fly with my bass with any degree of comfort since!
My last name is Olson also. I talked to Jim on the phone once cuz I was interested in his guitars. Now, there are many Olsons in the north, so I said "we're prolly related". The earliest Olsons came to the northeast long ago on wooden ships across the Great Lakes...but I digress. Since the waiting was at least 1 year (in 1996), I decided instead to buy two Taks for performance, and a Landola, made of rosewood and spruce...for the same price as ONE Olson. Seems 'relatives' don't get a discount...he he he. Love you live, James. You are an inspiration - - Mark Olson. 😎
Bonitas las guitarras pero me llamò la atenciòn que James no tenga en su colleciòn las cotizadas guitarras Martin y Taylor.... Me impresionò el sonido de la Yamaha !❤
What a Great Share, a Great Story of your Life & "The Family Members" that help you share your Incredible Heart, your Great Talent so wonderfully with all of us, with The World 👍 Very COOL 😎 James Taylor 🤗🎶🤗 So appreciate this share 🤗🎶🤗
Thanks James . bless you brother . The Love comes through your music , and through you . You give more than you could imagine . Talking pickups for acoustic guitars , have you tried K & K Pure Mini ? I have the Pure Classic passive system in my old Yamaha nylon . It's just 4 little flat pods glued inside under the saddle and a jack hole in the bottom block . You can get a volume wheel (optional ) that sits out of sight inside the soundhole There's no battery or pre-amp installed in the guitar itself ( which is a simplicity I like) but they sell an external pre-amp to suit . Sound great - clear and natural. The reviews speak equally well of the Pure Mini for steel strings . I love the fact that George pinched that line for his song "Something" and you didn't mind. Cheers mate from "down-under ".
Thanks for unwittingly introducing me to Jim Olson who helped introduce me to guitar building. Now I play my JT songs on my "100% genuine fake Olson." Unfortunately, neither the guitar nor the player come close to the originals.
James...Thanks for sharing the Love of your precious guitars thru your gift of song to so many of us..We hear the pain ,joy and every emotion bled from your heart thru fingers to fretboard and the melody of your voice......Fellow Carolinian here....Love that Gibson man...2nd guitar JUST WOW...
Love your music James, I'm waiting when this pandemic is over, and hope you can tour in London. I've never seen you live and its a dream to see you live in London one day. Keep safe, thank you for sharing these videos and wonderful stories 😊
I met James Olson and toured his shop in 2010. He was already half way through making a batch of guitars but was nice enough to make one for me and catch it up to the others, after first saying he wouldn’t be able to do it. Such a nice guy and fascinating to see his shop and all of the machines which he made himself to do the work. The clarity and brightness of tone of that guitar is unmatched. One of the high points of my life… Thanks Mr. Taylor and Mr. Olson
Articulate is the word comes to mind, when listening to JT and his music.Truly sets a standard! Cool thing about that Tele and the wide neck, didn’t think it existed… would …. For one of those;)
Thanks James, it's good to see you looking well. I've been with you, as a fan, since your first Apple album and all the others, that followed. You were my inspiration, for learning to play guitar and I still play, to this day. I would like to ask you one question.... where did all the year's, go? I enjoyed listening to you talk surrounded by, some of your friends. Stay well.
I hate how people are always using the word underrated to describe people who are in no way actually underrated. But, having said that, you rarely hear the name James Taylor in discussions of guitar playing prowess. And that is a definite oversight. James Taylor is an absolute gargantuan guitar player. I am not talking about flashy solos or walls of amplifiers blowing people's hair back. I am speaking of real technical intricacies and a seemingly perfect sense of dynamics and timing. For anybody who takes the time to really listen to what he is doing, they'll surely come to the conclusion that James Taylor is a monster musician.
James, my friend Pam Miller, the past mayor of Lex, Ky for 2 terms, was your family babysitter for a while. She Is still in touch with your mother and told me of traveling with your family in Europe in a VW Bus. She said you were in the VW bugging the family with a harmonica and she switched you to a Mandolin. She has a good Pantomime of your laugh way back then. Before I met her, since 1968, you were my singing and Guitar Muse, so to hear these stories was amazing. Your mom may not know that her husband and my Hang Gliding best buddy Ralph Miller, passed away recently...... TY for so much pleasure in my life!!! ...Henry Phillips
keep your guitars in the barn, yeah my wife treats my playing the same way !!!! some day you'll get good enough and she'll let you play in the house !!!!
Its funny when James went from playing his acoustic guitars to the Telecaster, his style instantly transformed from that of a sensitive Bohemian Folk songwriter into some kind of gutbucket Delta Bluesman...LMBO!!! Different instruments pull different inspirations out of a musician. #respect
Mr Taylor, just a fun fact question: How come I do not see a Taylor? By the way your taste in guitars is plausibly admired. Your songs match perfectly with their tonal qualities. Your Fender tele looks exactly like mine. Bet yours is way more pricey.
2022 December, JT is a treasure, what a nice guy, awesome songs & guitar playing. Some musicians can make any instrsoubd amazing if they have the musical gift.
