Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. Warner. 2007. Album Description
 |  | James Taylor Novice says: Dig this Album! |  |
I don't generally spend my time listening to James Taylor albums. Prior to this album, my experience with Mr. Taylor was limited to the tragic "Fire & Rain" and the sleepy "You've Got a Friend." And then, like a sweet, relaxing, California summer grass fire, "One Man Dog" entered my life. I've got to thank the dearly departed Lester Bangs for this album. I read his collection of reviews, "Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung," and tripped over the review of this album. Most of Lester's reviews are either fictitious or focus on punk/rock albums, but there in the midst of this storm was a 3-page review of "One Man Dog." Bangs wrote glowingly of one of my favorite albums, "Astral Weeks" and he introduced me to the Velvet Underground, so I figured if he was even mentioning anything by James "Fire & Rain" Taylor, it was worth sampling and with caution at my fingertips, I wandered to Itunes and listened to a few of the 30 second sample clips ... and .... it was enough to tip the scales in favor of the Taylor royalties camp. I bought the MP3 album on Amazon instead of Itunes (I had negative feelings about Apple at the time that have since subsided) and have nothing but positive things to say. The first track, with it's drums and background vocals make me happy every time I hear it. This is *not* the James Taylor I was expecting. For someone who had previously, and erroneously, considered Taylor a downer, neo-contemporary pessimist with depressing pop tunes, this album was an attitude adjuster. Don't be put off by the cover of this album. Taylor is a stone cold songwriter/pimp just chilling out with his lyrics, some strings and his dog. If you can't get down with that, then you're living in the dark like I used to. It's time to see/hear the light, it's time for you to experience "One Man Dog."
June 8, 2008If you love JT's 'Sweet Baby James' and 'Mud Slide Slim' albums and haven't heard 'One Man Dog' you're in for a treat. Don't be surprised if this ends up being one of your favorite James Taylor albums.
May 26, 2008| | | A very classic James Taylor album | |
Although I really liked Fire and Rain when it first came out,I really wasnt a James Taylor fan untill I heard One Man Dog.In my opinion this is his best album and the one I play the most.Of course you have the excellent Dont let me be lonely tonight,which is the hit off the album.But there are alot of wonderful gems here also.Side two is wonderful with all those short songs kind of like side two of Abbey Road.One song that I really like,that he didnt write is Someone, by John Mclaughin.This cd seems to get better with time.
October 17, 2007| | | ****Great, Underrated album**** | |
So happy to see all the positive reviews here for this disc. [...] From Sweet baby James in '70 thru Flag in '79, there is not one bad disc, but this one is especially appealing. It is very rare for an album to suck you in on the first 2 or 3 tracks and keep you listening to the end, this is one of them!!! Absolutely beautiful from start to finish. My pesonal favorite out of my top five which include One Man Dog, Walking Man, Gorilla, In the Pocket, and JT. Beautiful songs, top notch musicianship and that great early 70's sound, warm, rich, and musical!!
If you haven't heard it, buy it!! You won't regret it, superb!!!
March 2, 2007One of JT's most different albums, and also probably one of his very best. Gotta love the medley that closes out the CD.
November 10, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
