"Copperline" by James Taylor (cover)

Glennwillow · #1 05-27-2017, 10:23 AM

This is my cover of James Taylor's "Copperline." The song was co-written with Reynolds Price. This song is from the JT album "New Moon Shine" issued Sept, 1991. The song always reminds me of the coming of summer. Why the smell of creosote in the sun should smell good to me is a mystery, but it has to be that this telltale odor only seems to show up when it gets warm!

I have been playing this song for about 25 years so it was fairly easy for me to record this when I had a little extra time in the last couple of days. The guitar used is my Olson SJ (cedar/EIR) played on capo 2 where JT plays the song.

I really enjoy JT's version of this song, but when I play it, for some reason I can't maintain the slower tempo JT uses on his version. For whatever reason my internal clock makes me want to play this at a little faster tempo. The song has a bit of a dance feel to it, sort of like JT's father doing this dream-like dance that he brought home from France, presumably after WWII.

My wife asked me to record this song; it's one of her favorites. It's one of my favorites, too. I hope you like it -- thanks so much for listening!

- Glenn

Acousticado · #2 05-27-2017, 10:45 AM

Well, that was just lovely, Glenn. I like the tempo you followed. That Olson is beautiful and sounds terrific. Excellent performance all around. Thanks for sharing!

Glennwillow · #3 05-27-2017, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Well, that was just lovely, Glenn. I like the tempo you followed. That Olson is beautiful and sounds terrific. Excellent performance all around. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much Tom! I'm so glad you liked it!

- Glenn

#4 05-27-2017, 01:08 PM

Well done Glenn!

marty bradbury · #5 05-27-2017, 01:10 PM

Loved it Glenn. Sounded great!

Glennwillow · #6 05-27-2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

Well done Glenn!

Thank you Doug! I appreciate your listening and your comments!

- Glenn

Glennwillow · #7 05-27-2017, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty bradbury

Loved it Glenn. Sounded great!

Hi Marty,

Thank you! The nice weather in the Pac Northwest fits right in, doesn't it?

Take care!

- Glenn

RP · #8 05-27-2017, 04:46 PM

Glenn: That's my favorite JT song, but JT has nothing on your rendition. Really, really great performance of a wonderful song.....

B-Nads · #9 05-27-2017, 05:48 PM

If there's a singer's music your voice is suited to like a T, it's James T...great job, Glenn.

Glennwillow · #10 05-27-2017, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

Glenn: That's my favorite JT song, but JT has nothing on your rendition. Really, really great performance of a wonderful song.....

Hi Randy!

Well how very nice of you to comment so generously! I really am pleased that you like this song, as I do. And it's doubly gratifying that you like my rendition!

Thanks so much Randy!

- Glenn

Glennwillow · #11 05-27-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Nads

If there's a singer's music your voice is suited to like a T, it's James T...great job, Glenn.

Hi Brent,

Your supportive comment means a great deal to me, Brent, considering what a killer singing voice you have! Thank you so much!

- Glenn

Kerbie · #12 05-28-2017, 03:24 AM

Glenn,

Another good one! And I do love to hear that Olson.

I had forgotten he wrote that with Reynolds Price. My folks knew him casually back in the day. Seems like he was a rather prolific author.

Looks like you don't stay on one chord shape long enough to get used to it.

That's a nice tune and very well done, as always. Nothing beats that creosote in the summer...

mikealpine · #13 05-28-2017, 07:50 AM

Just beautiful!! You play and sing with an ease that I envy. Too bad you don't live closer, I found myself harmonizing along.

Once again, thanks for sharing!!

Carmel Cedar · #14 05-28-2017, 08:20 AM

Love it! Very JT-like, though I agree the tempo does feel like it deserves to move at a dance-like pace, vs JT's slower one...

Well done! Thank you for sharing with us.

Glennwillow · #15 05-28-2017, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Glenn,

Another good one! And I do love to hear that Olson.

I had forgotten he wrote that with Reynolds Price. My folks knew him casually back in the day. Seems like he was a rather prolific author.

Looks like you don't stay on one chord shape long enough to get used to it.

That's a nice tune and very well done, as always. Nothing beats that creosote in the summer...

Hi Kerbie,

Thank you very much for listening and commenting! And yes, I love to hear that Olson, myself.

How interesting that your folks knew Reynolds Price!

Regarding chord shapes, yes, "Copperline" has a lot of movement between and around the chord shapes. I found that using simple finger shapes worked well to get something similar to JT's sound while also keeping the movement of the accompaniment from tangling up my fingers.

Also, I learned to use the back of my right hand ring finger nail to strum down on the strings in between the finger picking to help generate that feel of a dance. This is not what JT does on the song -- I think he uses his index finger, typical of what he does on "Sweet Baby, James." But using my ring finger to make occasional down strums seems to help with the rhythm of the song.

Thank you so much for the kind words!

- Glenn