New Moon Shine

Ol' Sweet Baby James is known for his gentle coo-ing about life's little joys and tragedies (he's seen fire *and* he's seen rain) and for surrounding himself with the best studio musicians money can buy. Steve Jordan and Steve Gadd on drums ensure the rhythm is solid and guitarist Danny Kortchmar and saxophonist Michael Brecker are top flight cats who keep things in place. Taylor himself is in fine form, penning an immediate audience favorite, "Copperline," and getting playful with Sam Cooke's hit, "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha," which initially seems incongruous but over time makes sense as more blue shirt soul from Martha's Vineyard's favorite boy. --Rob O'Connor