I worked in a record store in Ann Arbor in 1970 when this album was released. In late April, when the college semester was over, I went home and worked for the same store, only in Scarsdale. That was such a great summer for so many albums, but the only one I sold so many copies of that the label number is still etched in my brain -- WB 1843 (Warner Brothers) --is Sweet Baby James.
It was not a peaceful summer. In fact, my first week at the Scarsdale store, Kent State happened. We all wore black armbands in the store for a week in solidarity.
Times are more tumultuous now on so many fronts -- the most immediate calamity by me is the Marshall wildfire. 1,000 homes were destroyed. Businesses were destroyed, and then there are the homes that were damaged. It's a nightmare.
Then we have Omicron and the demented non-believers who still refuse to get vaccinated, saying it's just a cold -- or refuse to wear a mask in elevators or at the grocery store.
85% of the people who have died from COVID are over 65. The age of James Taylor, Carole King and so many other gifted artists, songwriters, producers, backup singers and musicians who are still with us and make these concerts possible.
Then there are the media hucksters who in hyperventilating voice-overs, tell us that our democracy is at risk from the Capitol riot last year, and we should be sure to tune in to some new "documentary"about it.
All of this is just another way of thanking CNN, James Taylor and Carole King for the welcome break tonight from all the madness.
Stay safe, everyone.
This is an open thread, all topics welcome.
