JAMES TAYLOR FIRE AND RAIN PROFESSIONAL

Village Voice critic Robert Christgau was harsher in his appraisal of the album, saying that 'Taylor's vehement following bewilders me as near as I can discern, he is just another poetizing simp. Reviewing for Rolling Stone in 1970, Gary von Tersch observed in the music 'echoes of the Band, the Byrds, country Dylan and folksified Dion', which Taylor manages to negotiate into a 'very listenable record that is all his own'.

JAMES TAYLOR FIRE AND RAIN PROFESSIONAL

Critical reception Professional ratings Review scores An additional single, ' Sweet Baby James', backed by 'Suite for 20 G', did not chart.

The album produced two charting singles: ' Fire and Rain', backed by 'Anywhere Like Heaven', which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 31, 1970, and ' Country Road', backed by ' Sunny Skies', which peaked at number 37 on March 20, 1971. With one more song needed, he strung together three unfinished songs into a 'suite', and completed the album. The song 'Suite for 20 G' was so named because Taylor was promised $20,000 (US$147,786 in 2021 dollars ) once the album was delivered. Taylor was 'essentially homeless' at the time the album was recorded, either staying in Asher's home or sleeping on a couch at the house of guitarist Danny Kortchmar or anyone else who would have him.

The album, produced by Peter Asher, was recorded at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, California, between December 8 and 17, 1969, at a cost of only $7,600 (US$56,159 in 2021 dollars ) out of a budget of $20,000.

James taylor fire and rain