James Taylor - Fire And Rain (One Man Band, July 2007)

CD/DVD liner note from James – One Man Band (2007): “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 Subscribe here to stay up to date with all new releases on the channel: https://bit.ly/3jApW2o. If you would like to see James's video about his 2015 "Sweet Baby James" pop-up book book sold exclusively via James's website, click here: https://www.jamestaylor.com/sbjbook/ LYRICS Fire And Rain by James Taylor Just yesterday morning They let me know you were gone Suzanne, the plans we made put an end to you I walked out this morning And I wrote down this song Just can’t remember who to send it to I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought I’d see you again Won’t you look down on me, Jesus You’ve got to help me to make a stand You just got to see me through another day My body’s aching And my time is at hand And I won’t make it any other way Oh, I have seen fire and I’ve seen rain I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought I’d see you again So I’ve been walking my mind to an easy time My back turned towards the sun Lord knows the cold wind blows It’ll turn your head around Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line Talkin’ about things to come Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground Oh, I have seen fire and I’ve seen rain I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend But I always thought I’d see you somehow one more time again Thought I’d see you one more time again There’s just a few things coming my way this time around Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you, fire and rain Thought I’d see you just one more time, Suzanne #JamesTaylor #JT #FireAndRain #OneManBand 🎵 NEW ALBUM 🎵 https://found.ee/JTAmericanStandard 🌟 FOLLOW JAMES ON SOCIAL 🌟 https://www.facebook.com/JamesTaylor/ https://www.instagram.com/jamestaylor_com/ https://twitter.com/jamestaylor_com 🌐 VISIT THE WEBSITE 🌐 https://www.jamestaylor.com/ ✉️ JOIN THE MAILING LIST ✉️ https://www.jamestaylor.com/mailinglist/ 🎸 FREE GUITAR LESSONS BY JAMES 🎸 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4C7B31793C012820

Added 15 Jul 2026