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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.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sun 17 Jan 2021 22:00

Music Played

  • James Taylor

    Moon River

    • American Standard.
  • Louis Prima

    Pennies From Heaven

  • Dr. John & Rickie Lee Jones

    Makin' Whoopee!

    • In a Sentimental Mood.
  • Billie Holiday

    God bless the child

    • Ken Burns Jazz - Billie Holiday.
    • Verve.
  • Gordon MacRae

    The Surrey With The Fringe On Top

    • Oklahoma!.
  • Paul McCartney

    I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

    • Kisses On The Bottom.
  • Joni Mitchell

    Answer Me, My Love

    • Both Sides Now.
  • Nina Simone

    My Baby Just Cares For Me

    • Heartbeat - The 60's Gold Collection.
    • Global Television.
  • Ray Charles & Betty Carter

    Baby It's Cold Outside

    • Definitive Ray Charles.
    • Rhino.
    • 23.
  • Leon Redbone

    Ain't Misbehavin'

    • On the Track.
  • Lady Gaga

    Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

    • Cheek to Cheek (Deluxe Version).
  • James Taylor

    Walkin' My Baby Back ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

    • Hourglass.
  • Peggy Lee

    Bye Bye Blackbird

  • James Taylor

    Almost Like Being In Love

    • American Standard.
  • Nancy Wilson

    I've Got Your Number

    • From Broadway with Love.
  • Diana Krall & Tony Bennett

    They Can't Take That Away From Me

  • Dinah Washington

    Teach Me Tonight

  • Stubby Kaye

    Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat

    • Guys And Dolls - Original Broadway Ca.
    • MCA.
  • Willie Nelson

    Stardust

    • The Best Of Willie Nelson.
    • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
  • Linda Ronstadt

    When you wish upon a star

    • For Sentimental Reasons.
  • Dean Martin

    C'est Si Bon

    • French Style.
  • The Mavericks

    Blue Moon

  • Dolly Parton

    I Get A Kick Out Of You

    • Little Sparrow.
    • Castle.
    • 8.
  • Ray Charles

    Georgia On My Mind

    • Ray Charles - The Collection.
    • Castle Communications.
  • James Taylor

    Mean Old Man

    • October Road.
  • Nat King Cole

    Almost Like Being In Love

Broadcast

  • Sun 17 Jan 2021 22:00