Break Shot: My First 21 Years

Words + Music, Vol. 2

De: James Taylor

Narrado por: James Taylor

"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

Break Shot Thoughts

I’ve been a lifelong fan of James Taylor. I even named my son, J.T., after him. I’ve read about his struggles with depression and drug use in his early years. The vulnerability that James exhibits when telling his story is inspirational. Anyone who has had difficulties with family issues, alcoholism, or drug abuse should listen to this as it allows one to reflect upon their own life while relating to the great James Taylor. Thanks James, my admiration for you has just reached a new level.

Even more love for JT now!

I have been a James Taylor fan since I can remember listening to music. This makes my love and admiration for him grow even more.

This honest look at his most formidable years is both heartbreaking and encouraging. To hear him tell the story is all the more powerful.

It is a beautiful mix of story and song and not to be missed by any music fan.

loved it!

I've seen James Taylor many times in concert and love his misic. I really liked the insight into some of his songs and the challenges and inspiration for their creation.

Break shot

I loved this audio. I hope James Taylor continues the autobiography of the rest of his life.

JTfan

Can’t wait to hear the next 21 years!! Thanks for sharing James. Alway a pleasure.

Thank you James Taylor

Thank you for sharing your first 21 years. The rawness of your story makes me not feel so bad about my addictions. Thank you for being so truthful about your life and sharing with the world. Your songs resonate with me and my life.

Incredible Gift

Thanks to Audible for this amazing, enlightening and intense 90 minutes. I had no idea of the history and pain that birthed such beloved songs. James Taylor certainly has much strength to have survived his first 21 years...while also being able to become an incredible musical artist.

Classic James Taylor

A beautiful experience. James’ music has walked me through the sadness of loneliness and homesickness as well as the joy of friendship and love. He has captured in words and melodies feelings I could never articulate myself. As if he knew because he had been there before. This book shows that he has. He’s been with so many of us through the thick of it. Now he’s letting us walk with him too. To hear his story in his own voice is a gift.

I’m from Chapel Hill, NC where many of these formative, yet painful years unfolded. We’ve always been proud of how his story hangs in the air around here. But this experience rooted those stories in the landscape, gave them real shape, and let us hear the man himself walk with us at his own easy pace. Deepest thanks.

interesting insights

really enjoyed James Taylor sharing his history., and the background of some of his most recognizable music.


Hearing him share his triumphs and tragedies, It is own words and his own voice, is powerful.

I want more!

Great stories delivered by a great storyteller. Love the musical interludes. Brutally honest and, aside from the stardom, easily to relate to many of the trials and tribulations he went through in his first 21 years.