James Taylor (2) – Sweet Baby James

My mam had a copy of this album when I was a teenager. I didn't know what to make of it at first to tell you the truth because I was a bit thrown by the title. I thought it was about him but it was actually about his nephew also called James. His brother Alex's child also a musician in his own right. Just about everyone has recorded Fire and Rain Including the great Blood Sweat & Tears. A lot of the gospel artists have recorded Lo and Behold including the great Odetta. This album features some great players on it too including James' lifelong friend Carole King on piano and Orville Red Rhodes on pedal steel. In fact all of James' albums on the Warner Bros. label are brilliant, it was when he shifted to Columbia that they weren't the same. Listen and be inspired. Brilliant!

Purchased new in 2008. The mastering is best you'll hear this LP...great work from KG and SH. The vinyl is flat but some tics and pops on my copy on 2 or 3 tracks. Not RTI's best work. Still, a highly recommended reissue if you can get a clean pressing.

Flat and quiet. Sound is dynamic with excellent separation. Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray did an amazing job bringing this album to life. Absolutely blows original mix and mastering out the water. A must have for any fan, you will literally rediscover this album it sounds so good.

Setup
AT-LP1240
AT-VMN95ML
Bellari VP549
Yamaha A-S501
Wharfdale Diamond 240
Definitive Audio ProSub800

absolutely in love with this album. awesome pressing! would recommend for $10

This is a W7 release, the same as the Indy pressing. People buying this Pitman First Press - make sure the Warner Logo on the label matches the pics listed here.

*edit - I just ed the sellers asking if they were selling a W7, and if so, why so much cheaper than the Indy version.

The best sounding version of "Sweet Baby James".
According to Steve Hoffman it was the first time that it was cut from the actual masters and not an EQ'd dub copy.
The original master at the time was considered too dynamic to cut and had to be EQ'd.
The Rhino version by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray of course sold out quickly.
This Barnes and Noble version is the same mastering.
If you can find one grab it.

An underrated reissue. It sounds nearly as good as the original pressing. No distortion. My copy is super clean with very little surface noise. Greqt value for $10 or less.

Where does it say this was released in 1969?
Words.

JAMES TAYLOR | SWEET BAY JAMES (1970) WS-1843, Warner Bros. Australian pressing featuring "Palm Trees" media labels and a fully-laminated sleeve. A superb example of all analog recording, despite that fact that Track B3 "Anywhere Like Heaven" is just way too sibilant. Worth the price of ission, just for "Blossom". If it is a truly NEAR MINT pressing, audiophiles don't hesitate. - SONDEKNZ

Really great bright sound. Happy to have a first year press in great shape.