James Taylor - Line 'Em Up (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. LYRICS Line 'Em Up by James Taylor Oh, I remember Richard Nixon back in ’74 And the final scene at the White House door And the staff lined up just to say good-bye Tiny tear in his shifty little eye He said nobody knows me Nobody understands Little people were good to me Oh, I’m gonna shake some hands Somebody line ’em up, line ’em all up Oh, line ’em up, line ’em all up Help me line ’em up, line ’em all up Yeah, line ’em up, line ’em all up Oh, at that time my heart was all broke I looked like ashes and smelled like smoke And I turned away from my loving kind Tried to leave my body and live in my mind But it’s much too much emotion To hold in your hand They got waves out on the ocean They’re gonna wear away the land I say line ’em up, line ’em all up Oh, line ’em up, line ’em all up Can’t you line ’em up, line ’em all up Yeah, line ’em up, line ’em all up I’ve seen corn in Kansas And I’ve seen picket fences And perfect cowboy dances I’ve been lining up for shows I’ve been safely placed in rows Sure, I know how this goes Yet another day goes by Little time machine I’m breaking my brain over what it might mean Just to claim the time and to turn away Just to make today today Who waits for you Lonely, tired, old toad It’s your life laid out before you Like the broken white line Down the center of the road Line ’em up, line ’em all up Oh, line ’em up, line ’em all up Help me line ’em up, line ’em all up So, line ’em up, line ’em all up Ah, big Moon landing People all standing up Smiles for the loved one We go walking on down the aisle ♪ Each reengages Stepping into the sun I watch them turn like pages One by one by one #JamesTaylor #JT #LineEmUp #OneManBand 🎵 NEW ALBUM 🎵 https://found.ee/JTAmericanStandard 🌟 FOLLOW JAMES ON SOCIAL 🌟   / jamestaylor     / jamestaylor_com     / jamestaylor_com   🌐 VISIT THE WEBSITE 🌐 https://www.jamestaylor.com/ ✉️ JOIN THE MAILING LIST ✉️ https://www.jamestaylor.com/mailinglist/ 🎸 FREE GUITAR LESSONS BY JAMES 🎸    • Free Guitar Lessons