MoFi James Taylor - Greatest Hits 2LP

MoFi James Taylor – Greatest Hits 2LP

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MASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL ANALOG MASTER TAPES AND PRESSED AT RTI ON MOFI SUPERVINYL

Mastering Source to Be Determined Closer to Production Date; Specifics Will Be Posted Here When Authenticated

One of the most commercially successful compilations ever released, the Diamond-platinum-certified Greatest Hits encapsulates the quintessential characteristics – refined acoustic guitar playing, mannered melodies, insightful lyrics, comforting singing – that made James Taylor an icon. Originally released in 1976, the collection was intended to summarize Taylor’s tenure at Warner Bros. No one could have predicted the extent to which the album would resonate with the public, transcend generations, and become a cornerstone of millions of libraries.

Mastered from the original analog master tapes and pressed at RTI on MoFi SuperVinyl. Mobile Fidelity’s limited numbered-edition UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM 2LP box set presents Taylor’s beloved music with unparalleled detail, richness, presence, and intimacy. The Boston native’s warm baritone, expert breath control, and soothing guitar playing emerge as if they’re coming directly out of a studio control room. There’s no better way to hear Taylor – who stopped performing in small halls decades ago and now primarily frequents arenas and stadiums – weave folk, pop, country, and soft-rock threads into relaxed tapestries.

His homespun arrangements are framed against pitch-black backgrounds enhanced by the practically nonexistent noise floor of MoFi SuperVinyl. Greatest Hits also benefits from superior groove definition, sublime transparency, and dead-quiet surfaces. Never before have the critical instrumental accents that surround Taylor’s singing sounded so lifelike, balanced, and whole. Even if you’ve heard favorites like “Fire and Rain” countless times, you’ve never experienced these classics in such realistic fashion.

The gorgeous packaging of the Greatest Hits UD1S pressing complements its distinguished status. Housed in a deluxe box, the LPs come in special foil-stamped jackets with faithful-to-the-original graphics that illuminate the splendor of the recording. This UD1S reissue exists as a curatorial artifact meant to be preserved, touched, and examined. It is made for discerning listeners that prize sound quality and production, and who desire to engage themselves in everything involved with the album.

And with Greatest Hits, that immersion extends to its unusual context. Like many collections, it was issued to fulfill a contract and capitalize on an artist’s escalating popularity. Once Taylor signed to Columbia, Warner Bros. – which released the singer-songwriter’s six previous LPs and watched as he transformed into a star – sought to bookend his stretch at the label with a career overview. Interestingly, Greatest Hits overlooks several tracks that landed on the charts and includes re-recordings of two songs – “Something in the Way She Moves,” “Carolina in My Mind” – originally on Taylor’s 1968 debut for Apple. In another twist, “Steamroller” is not the version from Sweet Baby James but a then-unreleased live rendition.

That the curiously titled Greatest Hits plumbs several deep cuts and bypasses Top 40 singles in favor of fare such as “Walking Man” worked – and still works – to its advantage. The strategy showcases the breadth, depth, and consistency of a songsmith whose primary concern has always been his craft. Though Taylor is tied to the pop universe, his identity remains that of an approachable confidante. He’s the neighbor outside on his front porch ready with a good word; the reliable companion whose plainspoken voice conveys steadiness, trust, and honesty; the life companion whose tranquil demeanor and hopeful tones remind us of the importance of reflection, focus, and calm. These attributes are among the reasons why the familiar sound of Taylor’s voice, gentle guitar, and mellow moods remain part of our DNA. His chart-topping cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” said it all – and still speaks volumes more than 50 years later.

The beauty of this UD1S reissue is how it brings those treasured traits nearer to our hearts and deeper inside our souls. Whether it’s the Latin-accented “Mexico,” rustic shuffle “Country Road,” vulnerable ballad “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” or cozy bear hug that is “Shower the People,” these songs offer reassurance and function as emotional balms in a frantic world. And they show no signs of aging. To put into perspective how pervasive Greatest Hits has been since its 1976 release, consider that the album peaked at No. 23 on the charts and has still managed to sell more than 11 million copies.

That Taylor is accompanied by a cadre of ace musicians – King (piano, background vocals); Russ Kunkel (drums and percussion); Joni Mitchell (background vocals), David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Carly Simon (harmony vocals); Danny Kortchmar (electric guitar); David Sanborn (saxophone); Leland Sklar and Randy Meisner (bass) – further explains the everlasting appeal of Greatest Hits. Trends will come and go, but Greatest Hits will doubtlessly endure for another five-plus decades.