James Taylor - Carolina In My Mind (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
Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor

In my mind I’m gone to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
Can’t you just feel the moonshine
Ain’t it like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Oh, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

Karin she’s a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shine
Watch her watch the morning come
A silver tear appearing now
Well, I’m cryin’ ain’t I
I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

Ain’t no doubt in no one’s mind
That love’s the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
Hey, baby, the sky’s on fire
I’m dyin’ ain’t I
Ain’t I gone to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I’m gone to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
Can’t you just feel the moonshine
Ain’t it like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Till I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

Dark and silent late last night
Think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
And signs that might be omens
Say I’m goin’, I’m goin’
Gone to Carolina in my mind

It’s with a holy host of others
Standing round me
Still I’m on the dark side of the moon
And it looks like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I’m long gone to Carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
I said can’t you just feel the moonshine
Ain’t it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind

#JamesTaylor #JT #CarolinaInMyMind #OneManBand

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[williamscindy]

I’m 59 now an I still cry when I hear just the first verse of this song. In 1999 I played this tape for my dad while he had chemo treatments. We called it out James Taylor concerts. We both would cry and remember all the better times and hopes and dreams. My dad was only 57 when I lost him. So when I listen to all this music now I feel like he is her right with me and I remember all the beautiful times and memories he made for me and his beautiful blue eye and big smile. Love you dad!

[srbrown]

What a fortunate life I've had, to be young and grow old alongside artists like James Taylor, Carole King, the Beatles, the Eagles, the Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt and Emmy Lou Harris, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, James Brown and Marvin Gaye, and so many others. Yes, a fortunate life indeed

[nicklappos]

When I returned from flying helicopters Vietnam in 1970, one of the first songs I heard on the car radio was "Fire and Rain". When he sang, "Sweet dreams and flying machines, in pieces on the ground.." it was as if he had connected directly into my soul. Since then, James Taylor has always had an ability to make me well up with warm emotion. Thank you JT.

[larryharvey]

I forget where, but I set up and ran the sound for him in Boston at a show. He freaked me out apologizing for being in the way as we wired the stage and he worked in a new tune. He bought us all lunch. One of the kindest most pleasant people I’ve ever met. 🙏

[lizmoyemoore]

It is such a strange sweetness that someone you never knew can reach a place on such sweet intimacy that you feel they know you.

[josiegreenthumb]

I’m just happy to be on this earth at the same time as James Taylor.

[zacharywilcox]

He doesn’t care about fame or fortune. He just sings from his heart and it shows in his music. One of the best musicians on earth

[HabitualButtonPusher]

This sound brings me back to my youth when things were so simple, so full of promise and happiness.

[paulgivens]

When a musician can make a grown man cry with his lyrics and music then you know he's very special .. Thank you James

[rogertimmons]

What brings forth the tears when we hear songs about a longing for home? Home, a place during a time, the place has changed. The time is long passed. The memory is all we have. Make the most of the time you have. These are the moments that will not be repeated. These are the good old days.

[TheBrownSpartan]

I think he's an American treasure and our generation's poet laureate. 😊

[jeffj]

Wow. People will be watching and listening to this in 100 years. We are lucky to have it today.

[timwalter]

Someone, somewhere will be playing this tune 1000 years from now and it will still sound

[YesItsMeGuys]

His voice to this day STILL sounds as sweet as ever . His music is is so damn melancholy .. every song paints a moment in my youth . He is certainly a gift to us from something greater

[runmarkrunheinrich]

Such a poet. I can imagine a 73 year old Scandinavian woman hearing this story and song, smiling knowingly, brought back to the sunshine, sea air, and a young man long ago.

[gauranganitai]

Just knocked out at the beauty of his voice, the sincerity of his lyrics, the melancholia, the beauty of his melodies... it's all so beautiful and pure & wholesome... true existential solace in a troubling world in 2024...
Thank you James Taylor, you make this world a better place to be in...

[judymattea]

My husband played guitar as a hobby but he was actually very good, played for our friends from high school and college. So when he died in 2013, many of our friends called me and said they still pictured my husband of 40 years singing and playing "you've got a friend." Ed was an accomplished and brilliant pharmacist, and loved his guitar playing. He got a severe flu and was gone in ten days at age 64. He had a genius intellect, and can never be replaced. But he loved those James Taylor tunes. Thank you, James.

[williamsanders]

I remember years ago when my sister graduated from high school and moved to North Carolina. She had always been my best friend and confidante. I missed her so bad it hurt. This song came out about the same time. It always made me think of her. I miss her now because she's gone to be with the Lord. This song still brings back her memory. Love you Sis!!❤

[alightthatnevergoesout]

James Taylor with his guitar and stool is the Troubadour at his finest. One of the greatest musicians ever

[LisaHanson-rq]

I'm 57 yrs young and I remember this as if it was yesterday