Break Shot: My First 21 Years

Words + Music, Vol. 2

By: James Taylor

Narrated by: James Taylor

Length: 1 hr and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

"I’m James Taylor and I’m a professional autobiographer", says the celebrated folk singer at the start of this tender audio memoir. Through decades of music by one of the best-selling musicians of all time, who created classics like "Fire and Rain" and "Carolina in My Mind", James Taylor has doled out his history in the poetry of his work. Taylor says his early life is, "the source of many of my songs", and Break Shot is a tour of his first 21 years in rich, new detail. Praised by Forbes magazine as going "beyond the spoken word", Break Shot combines storytelling, music and performance to create a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Longtime fans will savor a crop of musical gems, including an unreleased recording of the beloved hymn "Jerusalem", selections from his newest release American Standard, as well as new original scoring by Taylor specially recorded for Break Shot and more from the Grammy Award-winning artist.

Recorded in his home studio, The Barn in western Massachusetts, Taylor tells the deeply personal story of his youth, which is entwined with the story of his family. What started as an idyllic tight unit soon became a family sent to different emotional corners - like a break shot in the game of pool, he says, when you slam the cue ball into the fifteen other balls and they all go flying off. By the time Taylor released his breakout second album in 1970, Sweet Baby James, he had seen the disintegration of his parents’ marriage and his family crumble in the aftermath. He had committed himself twice to a psychiatric hospital, battled depression, a heroin addiction, suffered a relapse, and traveled far away from the wood smoke and moonshine of the North Carolina landscapes in which he came of age. Despite it all, he was also on the cusp of super-stardom and on his way to bringing light and joy to millions. He was 21.

Journey with James Taylor to a time before he became a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors and both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts - and a beloved voice to millions.

©2019 James Taylor (P)2020 AO Media LLC

Thank YOU!

James Taylor, thank you for this gift. This book is so much more than entertaining. The stories that inspired the songs are as beautiful as the melodies. The sorrow and sadness, the friends and adventures you speak of have made a marvelous compilation and I am grateful to you for sharing them.

Finally

As a life-long James Taylor fan, this autobiography finally answers so many questions about his early years, his family, and the people and events that he has sung and continues to sing about. The raw emotion of his narration could not be duplicated by any other narrator. This is definitely worth the short time it takes to listen. My only wish is that it could be longer. I look forward to the next chapter, whenever that maybe written.

Wonder!

I wasn’t familiar with JT’s background and to hear it from his was great. I appreciate the brevity of the story. It wasn’t drug out for six hours when it didn’t need to be. I knew there was a good story behind Fire and Rain!

James Taylor never disappoints

This audio book was not long enough. I loved the entire story and that James T himself read it. I loved learning the catalysts for writing the songs as well as how and when he met the other musicians with whom he collaborated and respected.

James Taylor - My Life with Music & Lyrics

James is fair. But perhaps at times, a bit tough on himself. For his family life was not as rosey. As some would assume. Given his parents and siblings exalted, But tamultous life style.

I mean, it's JT!!!

Love, love, LOVE this! I've been a James Taylor fan since '71. Glad he shared.

Great Story and Great Music

A wonderful mixture of storytelling and song. Leaving one wanting more of both. A glimpse into the heart and history of James Taylor.

James to age 21

Learn about his entree into music, friends and bouts with addiction.

He intersperses his life story with guitar and singing - reminding us of what a talented musician he is.

Truly enjoyed

Love this book ! Truly enjoyed learning about your 1st 21 years. I've enjoyed your music since I was a little child and a truly touched my heart rate listening to your story thank you

Who knew so much could happen in 21 years.

In high-school I loved the music of the 60s, even though it was 1978 and JT reminded me why —there were so many evolutionary transitions popping out and the artists told the story well. JT does an exceptional job narrating the life of a young singer, a mirror to the changing times, yet told with generous personal shares.