Product Description

With a career thriving well into its fourth decade and one of the most beloved catalogs in the world, James Taylor is more than the definitive singer-songwriter. He's an American treasure. His latest project, James Taylor & Band-Pull Over, captures James at the height of his craft. Filmed in the summer of 2001, the 23-song program features James's greatest hits, fan favorites and a look ahead. The DVD features 5.1 mixes done by Grammy winner Frank Filipetti, a complete discography and a 10-minute behind-the-scenes look at the recording of October Road.

When James Taylor picked up the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance trophy at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in February 2001 (for "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," a track from Michael Brecker's Nearness Of You collection), it was the latest in a string of Grammy wins for the artist going back three decades. Taylor earned his first Grammy (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male) in 1971 for his recording of Carole King's "You've Got A Friend." After moving to Columbia Records in 1976, Taylor claimed his second Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male Grammy in 1977 for his wry interpretation of Jimmy Jones's "Handy Man." JT, his Columbia Records debut, has since gone on to hit triple platinum. In 1998, his platinum Hourglass album snared Grammys for both "Best Pop Album" and "Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical." His contribution to In Harmony, a Sesame Street album, helped that album win a "Best Recording For Children" Grammy at the 1980 ceremony.

James started writing music in the mid 1960s as a student at a New England boarding school, far removed from his family and friends in the Piedmont Hills of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The first artist signed to the Beatles' Apple Records, James Taylor released his self-titled debut album in 1968. Containing instantly memorable songs like "Carolina In My Mind" and "Something In The Way She Moves," James Taylor immediately established him as an important new voice in contemporary music. Moving to California, and Warner Bros. Records, in 1969, James Taylor recorded his first platinum album, Sweet Baby James, released in March 1970. A year later, Taylor was featured on the cover of Time magazine, which heralded him as the harbinger of "the singer/songwriter era."

His songs reflect his passion for music and a dedication to the constant evolution of his craft; and they have had a profound influence on both songwriters and music lovers of all generations and from all walks of life. Today it is no surprise to see children discovering his songs through their parents' record collections and immediately falling in love with the sound of his voice.

Program Start" "Everyday" "That's Why I'm Here" "Only One" "Frozen Man" Introduction "Frozen Man" "On The 4th Of July" "Whenever You're Ready" "Raised Up Family" "Luis Conte Percussion Solo" "Mexico" "Steamroller Blues" "Carolina In My Mind" "Millworker" "Sun On The Moon" "Junkie's Lament" "Copperline" "Shed A Little Light" "Fire & Rain" "You've Got A Friend" "Your Smiling Face" "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" "Traffic Jam" "Knock On Wood" "You Can Close Your Eyes" "Sweet Baby James" Credits BONUS FEATURES: * The Making Of October Road * Biography * Discography DVD Video Special Features * Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound * PCM Stereo * Behind The Scenes: The Making Of October Road * Biography * Discography

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10462 in DVD
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2002-11-19
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 119 minutes

Amazon.com
James Taylor's Live at the Beacon Theatre quickly became the demonstration DVD of choice for many high-end home-theater owners due to its gorgeous picture and pristine sound. It's a treat, then, that Taylor's second concert DVD, Pull Over (recorded in the summer of 2001 on the tour of that name), has those same qualities, with the added benefit of a widescreen picture, though it's not anamorphically enhanced for widescreen TVs. Of course Taylor himself is as reliable as ever, showing no signs of age in his warm voice as he and a great band cover a number of songs from his then-unreleased October Road album as well as such favorites as "Carolina in My Mind," "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend," "Your Smiling Face," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," and "Sweet Baby James." Pull Over is an outstanding concert DVD, but if it had beenn anamorphically enhanced, it might have laid claim to being one of the best ever. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

James Taylor's still got it
I'm a bit torn when it comes to this DVD. On the one hand, James Taylor is an extremely talented musician, especially in concert. The material on this DVD is everything a Taylor fan could hope for - the classics like Fire and Rain, a few less well-known songs such as Frozen Man (beautifully done on this DVD), and some stuff from October Road. But the production values on the DVD itself are a bit less than stellar. The quality of the picture is okay at best, and at times rather poor. Also, whoever did the camera transitions should be fired - call me picky, but the transitions between views were often poorly timed and lent absolutely nothing to the experience of watching the performance.

Still, despite all this, I give it five stars because I love James Taylor, and I love his music. Any fan who can say the same will surely like this DVD. The technical issues aside, I am very pleased with Pull Over. It's no substitute for seeing James perform in person, but it is nevertheless a must-have for James Taylor addicts.

Vintage James Taylor, But?
I found that James Taylor's latest DVD "Pull Over" Is loaded with many of his hits and songs that promote his latest cd "October Road". This is a fine concert with great picture and sound and I recommend this to any fan who does not own a Taylor DVD. However, if you own "James Taylor Live At The Beacon" I see no reason to purchase this edition unless you are hardcore JT fan. The Dvd format which is a fantastic medium for concert and digital sound has caused record companies to release live concerts one after another by the same artist to $cash$ in because they know loyal fans will buy everything they put out. Take my word for it and that is, If you have the Beacon DVD [which is fantastic] you will not need "Pull Over" unless you like duplication?

James Taylor At His Very Best
I must confess I almost passed this one by on the premise that I had his Beacon Theatre performance on DVD and didn't need duplication of material. However, I was wrong. This performance far surpasses his earlier DVD for he is more relaxed and seemingly having the time of his life before a wildly enthusiastic audience. The filming of this performance gives one the feeling of actually being there and the picture and sound quality are outstanding. I recommend this DVD without reservation. It is by far the greatest JT performance I have seen thus far. He just keeps getting better all the time--a consummate artist and icon who richly deserves all the accolades that come to him. I feel Mr. Taylor has found his way home and is at one with himself and the audience.