James Taylor Releases New Audio Memoir, ‘Break Shot’
In the new memoir, Taylor recounts his life story and music career, beginning with his upbringing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
James Taylor’s audio memoir titled Break Shot is now available. In the memoir, Taylor recounts his life story and music career, beginning with his upbringing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, during which he and his four siblings were immersed in music at an early age.
Break Shot takes listeners through Taylor’s traumatic teenage years, when he admitted himself into a Massachusetts psychiatric hospital in 1965. He also recalls releasing his self-titled debut album on Apple Records (he was the first American artist to be signed on The Beatles’ label) and his steady rise to fame with 1970’s Sweet Baby James.
Break Shot was recorded at The Barn, Taylor’s home studio in Western Massachusetts. The interviews were conducted by long-time music journalist and former MTV executive Bill Flanagan.
“I’ve known Bill Flanagan and admired his writing forever,” Taylor said in a statement. “So I was happy and relieved that he had agreed to help me gather my thoughts and edit this autobiography of my beginnings, the on-ramp to the road I’ve travelled ever since.”
“A pitcher needs a catcher and a funny and intelligent collaborator can make you seem likewise,” Taylor continued. “To the best of my recollection, I never had much of a memory; but here’s how I remember it…Did I say that already?”
Elsewhere in James Taylor news, the singer-songwriter recently announced the 28 February release of his new album, American Standard, via Fantasy Records. The 19th studio release by the storied singer-songwriter features his interpretations of 14 classic American songs such as ‘My Blue Heaven,’ ‘Almost Like Being In Love’ and ‘The Nearness of You.’
American Standard is Taylor’s first release since 2015’s Before This World, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 to become the first US No. 1 album of his long and distinguished career. The new release has him re-imagining some of the best-loved compositions of the 20th century, music in which he was steeped as a young man.
American Standard is out on 28 February and can be bought here.
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