James Taylor is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter James Taylor. Released on December 6, 1968, it was the first recording by a non-British artist released by Apple Records, and would also be Taylor's only release on that label. The album was released under the title First Album on the South African market.
Background
The album was produced by Peter Asher, who was A&R head for The Beatles' newly formed label Apple Records. Taylor recorded the album from July to October 1968 at Trident Studios, at the same time as the Beatles were recording the White Album. Trident was the most technologically advanced studio in England at the time and was in high demand; some session time booked by The Beatles was used instead to record Taylor's album. Paul McCartney and Peter Asher brought in arranger Richard Hewson to add orchestrations to several of the songs and unusual "link" passages in between them; these would receive a mixed reception at best. (Coincidentally, Taylor has said he had meant for the song to be called "I Feel Fine" – after a dominant line in the chorus – but the title had already been taken by a Beatles song.) Taylor also recorded a very early version of "Fire and Rain", which would be his breakthrough hit on his second album, but Asher did not choose it for the album release.
Release and reception
The album was released in the UK by Apple Records on December 6, 1968, and on February17, 1969 in the US. Critical reaction was generally good, including a very positive Jon Landau review in Rolling Stone Magazine that said "this album is the coolest breath of fresh air I've inhaled in a good long while. It knocks me out."
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