James Taylor - You've Got A Friend (One Man Band, July 2007)
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Published 2021-10-22
“It’s a strange reality of the modern popular song that the first time it’s played is when it’s recorded. Sometimes a song will be finished for deadline in the studio the day the thing is cast in stone forever. I know that songs and arrangements evolve and develop over time; that somewhere around the twentieth time it’s played for a live audience, a song finally completes itself. That, among other things, is what makes a good live recording unique. I’ve often thought that live performance means being well prepared and then waiting for the inevitable, unexpected thing to happen. We come onstage, well rehearsed and in good shape, and repeat what we have done before as best we can. But the real goal is to be in the present moment and on the surface of ourselves; open and trusting. Nobody wants to be perfect: that’s frozen, dead…It’s “be here now”, I guess…
Of course, @larry goldings does more than just accompany me. His growing presence in the world of jazz is well acknowledged, both for his own recordings and live performances and as a member of a good number of team efforts. I tend to form musical (and personal) relationships with other players and then stick with them for years. @Arnold McCuller and David Lasley have worked with me since the mid-‘70s and others nearly as long (Jimmy Johnson, Steve Gadd, Mike Landau, Kate Markowitz, Valerie Carter…)
After my great friend, producer and pianist Don Grolnick died in ’96, I performed with a number of excellent keyboard players. It was during the recording of my October Road album in ’02 that I worked with Larry. Russ Titelman had booked him to play on “Mean Old Man” along with Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Clifford Carter on synth, and the fine seven-string jazz guitarist, @John Pizzarelli . This was an incredible band, and after hearing Larry Goldings’ solo on that song, first time through, he pinned it. That was our introduction and he’s been my first call ever since.
Then there’s the bus factor. You see, someone’s playing may be great, but what’s it going to be like spending 10 hours a day riding to the next gig with them for a couple of months? Larry’s Bus Factor is not a factor for he is a bus riding fool, for a fact.
Part of his talent is his ability to “split his hands.” Though not as painful as it sounds, it does require great focus and skill to play a melody/accompaniment with his right hand and, with his left hand, (often on another keyboard) play a distinct bass pattern. This Larry can do with effortless grace, and he has made this One Man Band show possible. He is a committed father, brother, and son, and I am in his debt. Larry Goldings is my One Man Band.” – James Taylor
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LYRICS
You've Got A Friend by Carole King
When you’re down and troubled
And you need some loving care
And nothing
Oh, nothing is going right
Just close your eyes and think of me
Yes, and soon I will be there
To brighten up
Oh, even your darkest nights
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running
To see you again
It’s winter, spring, summer or fall
Now all you got to do is call on me
And I will be there, yeah, yes, I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend
If the sky high above you
Should grow dark and full of clouds
And that old cold north wind
Should begin to blow
Just keep your poor head together now
And call my name out loud, you know
Pretty soon
I’ll be knocking on your door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running
To see you again
It’s winter, spring summer or fall
Really, all you got to do is call
And I’ll be there
You know I’ll be there
Oh, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold
They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you
Well, they’ll take your soul if you let them
But don’t you let them
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running like as fast as I can
To see you again
Oh, yes, don’t you know about that
Winter, spring, summer or fall
Oh, all you’ve got to do is call
And I will be there
Yeah, yes, I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend
Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
Walking and talking and everything friend
Well, I said everybody here tonight in Pittsfield
No matter how low you may go sometimes
Ought to take some consolation in one thing, oh, yeah
Ain’t it good to know
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You’ve got a friend
#JamesTaylor #JT #YouveGotAFriend #OneManBand
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All Comments (21)
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I’m 68 now and Im still listening to this beautiful song. He’s got a beautiful voice and my first time to see and watch him in person in all these years. Thank you sir for sharing God Bless you
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James Taylor one of the beautiful gifts to humanity. Thank you!
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I saw him outside a casino in Valley Center about this time. I had such a lousy seat that I never sat in it. I stood by the barricade the whole time. At the end, people started to leave, I walked up to the stage as did a few others, James came back out and did an intimate set just for us! thanks, James
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Even with all the great young guitarists emerging today, I'll take JT's songwriting skills, guitar playing, and vocals over anyone of any generation. Me thinks he's the most underrated artist on the planet. Thank you James for never failing to touch my hear and soul.
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Soft lovable humour and just wonderful music. You are amazing, Mr. Taylor. 👏💞
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So much respect to his humor also.....James Taylor forever legend👏👏👏
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James Taylor a great musician and his voice GOLDEN... Thanks James for your music...
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Hubby loved this song and loved to sing it! To me of course. He passed in 2009, but is still my best friend I ever had. Hopefully I was his. I am 79. Love your voice and skills James Taylor for a long long part of my life.
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You’ve Got a Friend. James Taylor. I love your music.
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If you got a friend one, that you can tell all your problems to all your secrets to and all your feelings too. It makes you one of the post. Lucky people in the world. But always remember. You have a lot of acquaintances but a true friend is only a few in your life.❤
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James has such a great personality along with his God given talent. We love you James!!!
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James Taylor Sir You are a Legend whom the World of Soulful Music Salutes.
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This song always evokes my deepest gratitude for my friends and family I am blessed with now. When I first heard your ever so kind voice singing this song, I was a lonely 19 year old, all alone in this new country with no money, no food and no shelter. I felt then you were my friend singing to me. I am now a happy 65 year old grandma of 2 grandkids. Thank you James for encouraging and comforting me in my dark times with your many wonderful songs.
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Love the One Man Band show! Can you imagine how enthusiastically you'd be singing and playing the same songs "every show" for like 40 years? But he nails it and it sounds like he is just doing it for the first time.
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It's happened again! Every time I hear this song I end up in tears!
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Can't admire this musician more. He never fails to touch my heart.
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No one ever tires of effortless grace and an abundance of stories that impact our lives and tickle our hearts…. You’ve got a Friend 💕
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I can’t imagine not having his music all my life
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Damn he's so funny. "I played there repeatedly, evidently, in the early '70's." Nobody does comedy with this sublime style. And nobody has a voice smooth like JT. Thank Zeus he didn't take a different career or we would have missed out.
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One of the greatest writers Singer's performers of All time
