James Taylor's Great American Songbook
James Taylor presents a personal take on the Great American Songbook, talking us through the music that was a soundtrack to his early years.
Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor guides us through his favourite songs from the Great American Songbook, exploring the enduring appeal of standards such as Makin’ Whoopee, Walking My Baby Back ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and God Bless The Child. He reveals how the melodies, chord changes and lyrics have had a profound influence on his own songwriting style.
We’ll hear how this music was part of his parents’ record collection and provided a soundtrack to James’ childhood years in North Carolina. This started a lifelong love affair with these songs that he believes represent the high point of American popular music.
We’ll also learn how James was the first artist to sign to The Beatles’ Apple Records in 1968, why he admires the craft of the great teams such as Rodgers and Hammerstein and their ability to ‘write to order’ and how modern production and performance could be taking us away from this level of songwriting skill.
An eclectic playlist includes classics from Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, a song from the original album soundtrack of the musical Oklahoma! and interpretations of Songbook favourites by fellow singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga.
Last on
Music Played
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James Taylor
Moon River
- American Standard.
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Louis Prima
Pennies From Heaven
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Dr. John & Rickie Lee Jones
Makin' Whoopee!
- In a Sentimental Mood.
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Billie Holiday
God bless the child
- Ken Burns Jazz - Billie Holiday.
- Verve.
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Gordon MacRae
The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
- Oklahoma!.
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Paul McCartney
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
- Kisses On The Bottom.
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Joni Mitchell
Answer Me, My Love
- Both Sides Now.
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Nina Simone
My Baby Just Cares For Me
- Heartbeat - The 60's Gold Collection.
- Global Television.
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Ray Charles & Betty Carter
Baby It's Cold Outside
- Definitive Ray Charles.
- Rhino.
- 23.
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Leon Redbone
Ain't Misbehavin'
- On the Track.
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Lady Gaga
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
- Cheek to Cheek (Deluxe Version).
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James Taylor
Walkin' My Baby Back ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
- Hourglass.
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Peggy Lee
Bye Bye Blackbird
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James Taylor
Almost Like Being In Love
- American Standard.
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Nancy Wilson
I've Got Your Number
- From Broadway with Love.
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Diana Krall & Tony Bennett
They Can't Take That Away From Me
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Dinah Washington
Teach Me Tonight
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Stubby Kaye
Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat
- Guys And Dolls - Original Broadway Ca.
- MCA.
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Willie Nelson
Stardust
- The Best Of Willie Nelson.
- Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
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Linda Ronstadt
When you wish upon a star
- For Sentimental Reasons.
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Dean Martin
C'est Si Bon
- French Style.
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The Mavericks
Blue Moon
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Dolly Parton
I Get A Kick Out Of You
- Little Sparrow.
- Castle.
- 8.
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Ray Charles
Georgia On My Mind
- Ray Charles - The Collection.
- Castle Communications.
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James Taylor
Mean Old Man
- October Road.
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Nat King Cole
Almost Like Being In Love
Broadcast
- Sun 17 Jan 2021 22:00³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2