Maps of Music

Covers (2008)

Where the lyrics of Covers take you, and where it was really made.

This covers album was recorded over ten snowed-in days in January 2008 in a converted barn in Weston, Massachusetts, with few if any overdubs needed.

Key places

The converted barn in Weston (2008)

Recording site The Barn (Weston) — The album was recorded over ten snowed-in days in January 2008 in a converted barn in Weston, Massachusetts. The dot marks the centre of Weston, not the exact barn. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Q Division Studios in Somerville (2008)

Recording site Q Division Studios — Discogs credits Q Division Studios as a place where the album was recorded. The album page itself names only the converted barn in Weston. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Covers is the eighteenth studio album by James Taylor
• It is his first covers album
• Released in 2008
• Twelve tracks of songs originally by other artists, reinterpreted by Taylor and his band
• Track list includes "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen, "Hound Dog" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, "On Broadway" by Leiber, Stoller, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann
• Also includes "Wichita Lineman" by Jimmy Webb and "Not Fade Away" by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty
• Songs were written by artists such as Smokey Robinson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, John Anderson and Eddie Cochran

Background

• Taylor assembled his regular touring group for the recording, so all members were present at the same time
• Being together at once was rare in the contemporary recording scene
• Some tunes Taylor had performed off and on in concerts for years
• Other tunes were new to his repertoire
• The tour supporting the album dubbed the group "The Band of Legends"
• As of 2014 the group was dubbed "His All Star Band"
• It is the first album since 1997 featuring Taylor's touring band all in one setting for the entire album

Recording

• Recorded over ten snowed-in days in January 2008
• Recorded in a converted barn in Weston, Massachusetts
• Few if any overdubs were necessary
• Twenty songs were recorded in total
• Yo-Yo Ma played cello on "Suzanne"
• Credits list Ted Jensen as mastering engineer
• Personnel include Luis Conte on percussion, Steve Gadd on drums, Larry Goldings on piano and keyboards, and Michael Landau on lead guitars

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early years

• Born March 12, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts; raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
• Learned guitar in 1960, influenced by hymns, carols and Woody Guthrie.
• Spent time in a psychiatric hospital and struggled with heroin addiction in his youth.

Career

• Formed the Flying Machine in New York in 1966; the group broke up after a single.
• Signed to Apple Records in 1968 as the first non-British act on the label.
• Breakthrough with Sweet Baby James (1970) and the hit "Fire and Rain", both reaching No. 3.
• First No. 1 hit with "You've Got a Friend" (1971), written by Carole King.
• Greatest Hits (1976) is one of the best-selling albums in US history, certified Diamond.
• Won six Grammy Awards; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
• Reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Before This World (2015) after a 45-year wait.
• Continues to tour actively as of 2026.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Received general positive reviews
• Promoted with appearances on numerous television shows
• One appearance was on The Colbert Report on September 30

Records

• Two Grammy Award nominations
• Nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album
• Nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Wichita Lineman"
• Released in 2008 as Taylor's eighteenth studio album and first covers album
• Recorded with the regular touring band, with few if any overdubs
• Twenty songs were recorded during the sessions, and twelve were chosen for the album

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• On the September 30 edition of The Colbert Report, Taylor answered a question about his philosophy by performing "(I'm a) Road Runner" in its entirety.
• Taylor appeared on numerous television shows to promote the album.
• Yo-Yo Ma played cello on "Suzanne".
• "Wichita Lineman" was written by Jimmy Webb.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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