Adventures in Mastering: James Taylor “SWEET BABY JAMES” for Audio Fidelity Gold CD

$16 and change for preorder on Amazon

 

General delay. Best Buy did the same.

 

I got that e-mail, too. Oh well. What's one more week? I'll have the AF Gold Walking Man to keep me entertained in the meantime.

 

And One Man Dog...

 

Locked in. I have Steve's excellent Rhino/WB vinyl, but I'd like this on CD as well.

 

I didn't buy that one...yet. I figured I'd get into the SH/JT game with Walking Man and then take it from there. From what I sampled online, One Man Dog is experimental and kind of "unfinished" sounding. I wasn't thrilled with what I heard musically/lyrically speaking, but I'll probably pick it up once the Amazon price drops a little.

 

Experimental is the word. Listening just yesterday, and went " WTF ? " and had to look at the tracklisting, and then... " oh, yeah, okay." My dilemma with the AF Sweet Baby James is, as much as I'd like to have a copy, there's nothing wrong with my Japan 20P2 pressing, and that plus my original vinyl sort of make another copy unneccessary...but I'm debating selling the Japan CD.

 

I have a Japanese Sweet Baby James that was released on 11/27/2008 under the "Forever Young" reissue series sporting a "Digital Remaster" note on the front (thanks OBI strip!). I overpaid for it by quite a bit but I just did not want the widely available domestic CD version for fear it wouldn't sound all that great.

Well, I compared the duplicate tracks on 2003's The Best Of James Taylor to my 2008 Japanese Sweet Baby James (on my so-NOT-audiophile-grade-set-up-it's-laughable system) and the Japanese disc wins hands down. Not only is JT's voice warmer and richer, it's also a little more prominent in the mix.

I imagine Steve's work on the AF Gold Sweet Baby James will be similar to the Japanese disc I already own, however I'm looking forward to hearing what else he can do with the album. Plus, I'm all for supporting premium (yet AFFORDABLE!), impeccably mastered, and well preserved classic albums on physical media, namely CDs.

At Amazon's pre-order price, this purchase was a no brainer. Sure, I don't need a second copy of Sweet Baby James, but it certainly doesn't hurt to add it to my collection. As long as I can swing it!

 

I'd grab it while you can. The sound of James just hanging around making music with some friends. It's laid back and a bit unfocused, but really good listening. Some songs are a bit silly, like "Chlili Dog", but there is also some very insightful songwriting on it. Go download "New Tune" and give it a listen. I love Linda Ronstadt's singing on "One Morning in May", and John McLaughlin's acoustic guitar solo on "Someone". The medley that completes the album is interesting too.

I'm looking forward to the Sweet Baby James" Gold CD but like others I got the dreaded Amazon delay notification today.

 

Got a subscriber's notice today saying it (and Heart) had been delayed until Aug.30, with our copies shipping one week prior.

No biggie, I can wait.

 

Just placed an order for One Man Dog a few minutes ago. I like the folksier sound to the album and the overall percussion sound. If the track clips are any indication, then I'm in for a real treat. Experimental or not, I think I just might enjoy One Man Dog MORE than Walking Man!

 

Looks like this is being delayed again until Sept. 6 along with Heart's Greatest Hits. Received an email from AF about it being beyond their control.

 

down to $15.15

 

Just was notified by amazon.com that this disc is delayed until September 6th.

 

Got the same Dear John from amazon. Why are they messing with poor old loving man JT?

 

I got billed today so they must be shipping to subs.

 

no matter how long it takes to be released it will be well worth it! Patience.

 

Same here. Can't wait.

 

I just got my copies of Sweet Baby James and Heart GH in the mail today. Got to wait till tomorrow to give them a good listen, this will be great.

 

Are you a subscriber?

 

Good news I should see mine in the next day or two

 

Got the bill for my copy a few days ago, should have it in a week or two.

 

Yes - Platinum CD #104

I got both CD's?

 

Ahhh! I have to wait a couple of more weeks!

 

You better buy some extra food and wine before you spin this new disc because it brings James Taylor right into your living room. The presence is amazing, and the drums on Fire And Rain are huge. Another winner.