In the Pocket

Performer: James Taylor (Soft Rock)
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel includes: James Taylor (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass harmonica); Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Bonnie Raitt (vocals); Danny Kortchmar (electric guitar, mandolin); Waddy Wachtel (electric guitar); Gayle Levant (harp); David Grisman (mandolin, mandocello); David Lindley (dobro); Herb Pedersen (banjo); Red Callender (tuba, bass); George Bohanon, Oscar Brashear, Ernie Watts, Michael Brecker (horns); Clarence MacDonald (keyboards); Victor Feldman (orchestral bells, vibes, marimbas, cymbal); Lee Sklar, Willie Weeks (bass); Russ Kunkel (drums, percussion); Milt Holland (chimes, wind chimes); Bobbye Hall (percussion); Peter Asher (tambourine); Valerie Carter (background vocals). Recorded at Warner Bros. Recording Studios, North Hollywood, California. "Shower The People," with its richly textured vocal harmonies, opens James Taylor's "IN THE POCKET and sets the tone for all that follows, a virtual pop vocal chorale. Choir boy Art Garfunkel takes a lush guest turn on "A Junkie's Lament" and "Captain Jim's Drunken Dream." On his satiric anthem to the almighty dollar "Money Machine," James is joined by vocal dancing partner Valerie Carter, and they move across the song like a funked-out Fred and Ginger. David Crosby, Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, and James' brother Alex all drop by to lend a voice throughout the album. But the guest of honor has to be Stevie Wonder, who co-wrote "Don't Be Sad 'Cause Your Sun Is Down" with James, and contributes his always delightful and distinctive chromatic harmonica. IN THE POCKET is fresh, musically diverse, and fun, handily produced by Russ Titleman and Lenny Waronker.

James Taylor was the archetype for the gentle, inward-looking singer/songwriter movement of the early '70s. The easy lilt and timbre of Taylor's voice belies the complex emotional content of his songs, which aren't merely carefree folk-based odes, but instead look unflinchingly at a flawed man's journey through life. It's a tribute to his knack for making great pop records that he managed a long, decade-plus string of big hits. Taylor remained relevant long after his impressive run of top 40 hits, recording numerous million-selling records in the '90s & '00s and winning multiple Grammys.

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