American Standard
James Taylor · 2020
45 min · 14 tracks · country music
A smooth blend of jazz standards and soft rock, expressing nostalgia through Taylor's warm vocals and subtle instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Blue Heaven Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Moon River — This rendition captures the wistfulness of the original while infusing it with Taylor's signature warmth, making it a standout moment on the album.
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God Bless the Child — Taylor's interpretation of this Billie Holiday classic showcases his emotional depth, emphasizing its themes of resilience and longing.
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You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught — The song's poignant social commentary is given fresh relevance through Taylor's thoughtful delivery, highlighting its enduring significance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid craftsmanship in its arrangements and performances, while offering familiar standards with a personal touch.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent tempo, with most tracks maintaining a relaxed, mid-tempo feel that complements Taylor's vocal style.
- Each track is arranged with subtle instrumentation, often featuring soft piano and gentle guitar, creating a cohesive sound throughout.
- Taylor's interpretations of the standards often include slight variations in melody or phrasing, adding a personal touch to each song.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- warm, comforting listening experience
- gentle background ambiance
- short, sweet song interludes
- nostalgic and reflective moods
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Taylor's enduring appeal with a fresh take on standards in his later career.
- Themes
- nostalgic tenderness· social consciousness in song
- Career context
- By the time 'American Standard' was released in 2020, James Taylor was a seasoned artist with a vast catalog. This album serves as his first collection of standards since 2008's 'Covers,' showcasing his artistic continuity while revisiting classic songs that shaped his early influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carole King· Jackson Browne· Jim Croce
Tracklist
- 1 My Blue Heaven Start here 2:43
- 2 Moon River 3:13
- 3 Teach Me Tonight 2:58
- 4 As Easy as Rolling Off a Log 2:50
- 5 Almost Like Being in Love 3:42
- 6 Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat 4:11
- 7 The Nearness of You 3:52
- 8 You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught 2:26
- 9 God Bless the Child 3:21
- 10 Pennies From Heaven 2:52
- 11 My Heart Stood Still 3:27
- 12 Ol’ Man River 2:53
- 13 It’s Only a Paper Moon 3:11
- 14 The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 3:20
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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