James Taylor - Copperline (One Man Band, July 2007)
303,244
Published 2022-02-11
“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, @larrygoldings 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
Copperline by James Taylor and Reynolds Price
Even the old folks never knew
Why they call it like they do
I was wondering since the age of two
Down on Copperline
Copperhead, copper beech
Copper kettle sitting side by each
Copper coil, cup o’ Georgia peach
Down on Copperline
Half a mile down to Morgan Creek
I’m only living till the end of the week
Hercules and a hognose snake
Down on Copperline
Take me down on Copperline
Warm summer night, Copperline
Slip away past suppertime
Wood smoke and moonshine
Down on Copperline
One time
I saw my daddy dance
Watched him moving like a man in a trance
He brought it back from the war in France
Down on Copperline
Branch water and tomato wine
Creosote and turpentine
Sour mash and new moonshine
Down old Copperline
Take me down on Copperline
Oh, first kiss ever I took
Stole a page from a romance book
The sky opened and the earth shook
Down on Copperline
Walk me down
I took a fall from a windy height
I only knew how to hold on tight
And pray for love enough to last all night
Down on Copperline
Day breaks and the boy wakes
And the dog barks and the bird sings
And the sap rises and the angels sigh
I tried to go back, as if I could
All spec house and plywood
Tore up, tore up good
Down on Copperline
It doesn’t come as a surprise to me
It never touched my memory
Well, I’m lifting up and rising free
Down over Copperline
#JamesTaylor #JT #FireAndRain #ReynoldsPrice #OneManBand
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All Comments (21)
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Sorry, long story. Back in 1992 I was a punk nosed kid from Oklahoma who had just graduated from highschool. By the end of the summer I found myself on a construction crew working on the now old Rangers Ballpark. Once the stadium was finished enough for the sound crew to move in. For weeks on end they blasted Copperline all day to test the sound system. I had to go get the album. Been a fan ever since.
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When that guitar intro starts i'm just transported in a happy place.
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I've listened to James since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Still today he's as smooth as frogs hair on a Saturday night. Takes me away to times I been alive & glad to be. Near always set my soul free. Thank you Mr. James Taylor, ty for helping another day shine on. Bless you.
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The universality of this song: everyone has their copper line...and only James can make it real
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My dad was at Normandy
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My absolute favorite JT song
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The legendary JT is unique. A gift to humanity.
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i've always thought "Copperline" was one of JT's best. Nostalgia mixed with the sad truth of so-called progress. A plea for respect for sacred places, but also a slap at that "progress". It can't run roughshod over memories. And the simple, yet wistful guitar and piano is all the song needs. Sometimes less is more, and in the end, the song has a transcendent power because of it.
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I could listen to him all Day! The Best! 50 years later and I still love him!
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This guy is far and away my favorite artist along with Earth Wind and Fire of all time
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I’ve always liked James Taylor. Always. But there’s just something about the lyric in this song that hits me in a most reflective way - “Hercules and a hog nosed snake down on Copperline.” Every time I hear that lyric I go through a flood of childhood memories of what seemed like the most innocent, fun filled time of my life. Thank you James for what is for me a simple, yet profound, lyric.
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In all the years that I've listened to, and loved, the voice of James Taylor he only ever seems to get better. Just like a fine wine.
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I am unsure why this song tears and chokes me up. I suppose as we grow older, we look back at love and life, dwelling - even submerging ourselves- in our memories of times gone by, convinced that despite the pain of love and the struggles of our lives then, it was still that much better, that much more sweet. Bittersweet. Thanks, James.
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One of THE best songwriters EVER! Thank you JT!
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I remember this was the first song where i really felt the music. My father was driving me home from work and i remember expressing how it made me feel. My father then bought this for me. Vivid memory driving up our street as this played. Mid 40s now and dad passed away. O can play this and it takes me back to that day....thanks for being part of something special that tugs my heart and has me remember all the great times with my father...i can see him as it plays....❤
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Amazing how well JT’s voice held up for four decades.
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So echos my childhood it makes me cry (69yrs old)
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Haven't heard from James in a while. Was absent from the Grammys. Pray his health is good. God bless you and your family
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One of his best lyrics. Very vivid imagery.
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There's something magical and soothing about JT’s voice. Outstanding.
