Famous Among the Barns
List Price:
Our Price: $6.44
You Save: $9.54 (60%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.76 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Performer: The Ben Taylor BandEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2002-08-01
Music Label: Iris Records Label
Soundtracks:
- Island
- Let It Grow
- I Am the Sun
- Day After Day
- No More Running Away
- Safe Enough to Wake Up
- Time of the Season
- Just Like Everyone Else
- A Good Day to Be Alive
- Mushroom Dance
- Rain
- Tonight
Music reviews of Famous Among the Barns
Music Review: The Baby Of The Family's Stunning Debut!!
Rating: 5 Stars
I've waited years for this CD to be released (O.K., O.K., it's only been four years, and it was actually another album that never saw the light of day, first because of label downsizing, then due to major label politics): I've always respected the dad (James Taylor), adored the mom (Carly Simon) and been knocked out by the big sister (Sally Taylor), so I knew that, when the time came, Ben Taylor would blow everyone away with his musical debut. Guest spots on some of his mom's most recent cds and an occasional solo spot hinted at this. Well, not only is FAMOUS AMONG THE BARNS a debut album of absolutely authoritative rock, it has to be one of the best releases of 2002! The disc opens with "Island", a gentle, swaying ballad. With it's airy keyboards and soft, yet assured, vocal, this is pop music at it's best. "Let It Grow" is obviously a song about the legalization of pot, but I'd like to think there's also a sub-text to the song about being kinder to all things green and alive on the planet. Here, on the CD's hardest rocking track, the band presents itself as a tight, polished unit. In other words, they kick booty! "I Am The Sun" is another hypnotic ballad. With it's stripped-down production and floating chorus, I certainly could see Taylor's mom covering this thoughtful, introspective gem. When he sings "I am the sun/That's all I've ever been/Since I've begun" you can just hear his spirit soar....and we, the listeners, soar with him! With it's retro 60's beat, "Day After Day" sports an innocent beauty. All about the wonderous mystery that is love and trying to understand this other being who has taken control of your life, the lyrics exhibit an intelligence far beyond Taylor's 25 years. "No More Running Away" has to be one of my favorite tracks. There have been very few songs written about commitment, and all that goes with it, that are as achingly beautiful as this one. It's a scary thing to try it again after being burned ("We understand that you've tried it before/And it froze you alive"), but it pays off in the end ("There would be no more running away/And no more missing that midnight train"). A classic waiting to be heard! There are numerous traces of James Taylor throughout FAMOUS AMONG THE BARNS, and "Safe Enough To Wake Up" has to be one of the prime examples. This "Sweet Baby James meets Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles and covers Edie Brickell's "What I Am'" rocker chugs along, sporting a lazy groove and a honey-coated vocal that just wraps around you like a warm shawl. It really is an accomplishment to take a cover song and present it in an original light. To do it on your debut release, and to do it to the point where you almost best the original, is almost unheard of. Not since Fanny covered Cream's "Badge" on their debut album in 1970 has a group taken another act's song and so convincingly made it their own. With it's ethreal, other-worldly mix and sensual vocal, the track is truly haunting. "Just Like Everyone Else" takes a 180 degree turn, with it's light, sunny vibe and toe-tapping groove. This is joyous, back porch rock & roll! "A Good Day To Be Alive" has an eerie, forboding quality that belies it's positve message, while "Mushroom Dance" is just good, goofy fun, albeit with some deep, insightful lyrics. Musically lifted from Carly Simon's 1980 classic "James", "Rain" showcases some of Taylor's most nakedly candid lyrics yet: "Maybe I'm only dreaming/Maybe I'm only foolish/Maybe I'm only deceiving myself/And I'm not really ready to do this." Is he talking about love? A career in music? Whatever the case may be, this is a young man who's not afraid to bare his soul, and we're all the better for that. "Tonight" closes the disc on a delicate, atmospheric note. This quirky, yet tuneful, instrumental allows the listener to come down and absorb everything they've just heard. Brilliant! So do yourself a favor and pick up this baby! It's always fun to be there in the beginning and see a career take off! With a voice hauntingly similar to his dad's, yet richer and fuller, like his mom's, Ben Taylor's potential was never in doubt. Now, with FAMOUS AMONG THE BARNS, he has laid the foundation for a career that (hopefully!) will challenge, soothe, amaze and amuse us for years to come.
Description of Famous Among the Barns
Concise melody and emotive lyric paves one unique story after another with The Ben Taylor Band's remarkable debut album, "Famous Among the Barns". Featuring the velvety, soothing vocals of Ben Taylor, son of Carly Simon and James Taylor and a highly skilled band the album takes listeners on a journey through an array of finely crafted songs with hypnotizing melodies. An incredible collection of high quality songs leading most listeners to enjoying the entire album. The songs are an eclectic mix of moods and definitive moments in time that were originally crafted on acoustic guitar. A record that has the potential of becoming a timeless classic.Alternative Rock CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Alternative Rock CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $149.98
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $99.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $192.68