James Taylor releases a set of cover versions of songs he loves and they have all been reworked into the James Taylor sound - laid back with a jazz feel in parts.

Take the Jr. Walker classic 'Roadrunner' which is totally different in tempo and bar the lyrics you wouldn't know it was the same song. The same goes for Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues' which keeps the pace of the original but goes for a more expanded musical backdrop (there is some fine guitar playing throughout from Michael Landau).

Taylor also comfortably covers the country classic 'Wichita Lineman' (written by Jimmy Webb but Glen Campbell had a big hit with his version) and Taylor really brings the song's storyline to life - a fantastic cover.

Two other personal picks are the jazzed up 'Hound Dog' and Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne', the one cover on here that stays most true to the original version's sound.

An album to put on, listen to and enjoy with some fine vocals and musical moments.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie