James Taylor - Fire And Rain (One Man Band, July 2007)

CD/DVD liner note from James – One Man Band (2007):

“It’s a strange reality of the modern popular song that the first time it’s played is when it’s recorded. Sometimes a song will be finished for deadline in the studio the day the thing is cast in stone forever. I know that songs and arrangements evolve and develop over time; that somewhere around the twentieth time it’s played for a live audience, a song finally completes itself. That, among other things, is what makes a good live recording unique. I’ve often thought that live performance means being well prepared and then waiting for the inevitable, unexpected thing to happen. We come onstage, well rehearsed and in good shape, and repeat what we have done before as best we can. But the real goal is to be in the present moment and on the surface of ourselves; open and trusting. Nobody wants to be perfect: that’s frozen, dead…It’s “be here now”, I guess…

Of course, @larrygoldings does more than just accompany me. His growing presence in the world of jazz is well acknowledged, both for his own recordings and live performances and as a member of a good number of team efforts. I tend to form musical (and personal) relationships with other players and then stick with them for years. @Arnold McCuller and David Lasley have worked with me since the mid-‘70s and others nearly as long (Jimmy Johnson, Steve Gadd, Mike Landau, Kate Markowitz, Valerie Carter…)

After my great friend, producer and pianist Don Grolnick died in ’96, I performed with a number of excellent keyboard players. It was during the recording of my October Road album in ’02 that I worked with Larry. Russ Titelman had booked him to play on “Mean Old Man” along with Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Clifford Carter on synth, and the fine seven-string jazz guitarist, @John Pizzarelli . This was an incredible band, and after hearing Larry Goldings’ solo on that song, first time through, he pinned it. That was our introduction and he’s been my first call ever since.

Then there’s the bus factor. You see, someone’s playing may be great, but what’s it going to be like spending 10 hours a day riding to the next gig with them for a couple of months? Larry’s Bus Factor is not a factor for he is a bus riding fool, for a fact.

Part of his talent is his ability to “split his hands.” Though not as painful as it sounds, it does require great focus and skill to play a melody/accompaniment with his right hand and, with his left hand, (often on another keyboard) play a distinct bass pattern. This Larry can do with effortless grace, and he has made this One Man Band show possible. He is a committed father, brother, and son, and I am in his debt. Larry Goldings is my One Man Band.” – James Taylor

LYRICS
Fire And Rain by James Taylor

Just yesterday morning
They let me know you were gone
Suzanne, the plans we made put an end to you
I walked out this morning
And I wrote down this song
Just can’t remember who to send it to

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought I’d see you again

Won’t you look down on me, Jesus
You’ve got to help me to make a stand
You just got to see me through another day
My body’s aching
And my time is at hand
And I won’t make it any other way

Oh, I have seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought I’d see you again

So I’ve been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows the cold wind blows
It’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line
Talkin’ about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines
in pieces on the ground

Oh, I have seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought I’d see you somehow
one more time again
Thought I’d see you one more time again
There’s just a few things coming my way
this time around
Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you,
fire and rain
Thought I’d see you just one more time,
Suzanne

#JamesTaylor #JT #FireAndRain #OneManBand

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[heatherh]

I’m 72, grew up with the music of James Taylor. Crying now, as I grieve my beloved son who ended his life in April 2024. “I always thought I’d see you again”. 💔

[wdb]

James Taylor's not just a great songwriter and storyteller, he's an institution and a voice for eternity. How many souls has this man's music soothed. God bless you James.

[jimmyrecce]

The sad thing is that we don't have very many true artists around anymore like James...so we better take all of it in while we still can....❤️❤️

[thelittleenginethat]

Loved your music since i was a child. Still moves my soul.

[VikingMan]

It's a blessing of modern technology that I can jump onto YouTube and watch this brilliant man play this song when he was young and when he is old.

[johnguillen]

I listen to this song and see him singing it and I can't stop seeing him sing this when he was young back in the 70's. I can only imagine him thinking how time went by so quickly. The song is sad but his voice is still amazing.

[grumpyjay]

I watched an older version of this when you were younger, just today. I couldn't stop sobbing. My mother has had ALS and fights every day. Felt compelled to let you know I am another of the millions of people you've touched in your life thank you.

[MsSoozy]

It’s as beautiful now as it was back in the 70’s. This still brings tears to my eyes but also smiles now. 😊

[marylynnanderson]

James Taylor they’ll never be another you.

[davidouimet]

I am dying of many things. But james makes me go in comfort. Goodbye .

[jsjj]

The opening chords make me well up in tears. This was my brother's favorite song. We were best friends and it has been 27 years since he passed and I still can't shake him. I suppose I never will.

[davidjohnston]

You will see her again, one day, in the afterlife! James Taylor, you are incomparable! Grown out of a time in our history when we needed your sensitivity!

[RichardZumach]

Listening to James Taylor never gets old his songs just as relevant as when I first heard them all those years ago !!!

[geoman]

A masterpiece. One of the greatest pieces of writing and music delivered by one of our most gifted musicians of all time.
We need to treasure and learn from these people. Most of today's music is utter garbage.

[strafrag]

This song helped me thru my darkest hours. Thanks, James.

[davekerr]

My mother passed a month ago and we are playing this for her Celebration of Life, .. Just sitting here listening to this and all the Great memories with my mother, ...Thanks James

[carlkuss]

One of my dearest songs when I was growing up and JT is amazing how his voice does not change and the expressiveness does not change. Only he seems to have found inner peace and he radiates such warmth.

[Deso]

Ive pushed through fire and rain, so that I can hear you one more time again, Thank you.

[AlanStransman]

One of the most recognizable voices in pop music ever....unique and unmistakable....

[cathyshorts]

Its 2022 and I'm still in love with James Taylor 💗💗💗💗