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R U S S E L L H O L M E S T R I OF I R E A N D R A I N the james taylor pro ject

Themusic of James Taylor seems to have been withme for all of my ‘conscious‘ life. ‘Such a long, longtime, yes and I feel fine’ (Something in the Way She Moves). It has been ametaphor andmedium forhow I feel and express life’s mysteries, highs and lows and the professing of love. James can expresspain whilst retaining youthful optimism entwined with a soundmoral compass. Within his songs canbe foundmanymantras for living. Love in its many diversemanifestations is constantly a theme, andalways, a soft undertow of humour and selflessness abounds. Beneath all that, there is the chance ofdaggy, loud raucousness surfacing and just some plain loose fun.

James’ unique guitar style causedme to stray frommy ‘chosen’ instrument, the piano, at age 15 andspend endless hours learning and perfecting his songs as a guitarist/singer. Friends speak of mearriving at parties and playingMud Slide Slim from beginning to end (probably all too happy to repeatthe set again within a half hour). It was an obsession that thankfully was never to end.

Many years later...

Around three years ago, I did an arrangement for my trio of Something in the Way She Moves, and asmuch as we enjoyed performing it, audiences enjoyed and began requesting it. The idea was graduallygrowing within me and arrangements of James Taylor songs were being aired at rehearsal and gigs. Ithought it would be a wonderful project for the ABC and approached Mal Stanley from Classic FM’sJazztrack; after hearing a demo, he believed the project might have legs.

I am incredibly fortunate to makemusic with two brilliant musicians who have been with the RussellHolmes Trio for more than eight years and hundreds of performances. Both Daniel and Matt havebrought somuch to this project through their love and understanding of themusic of James Taylor.Eachmusician’s creativity, combined with virtuosity on their instrument, hasmade this a unique,sensitive and engaging interpretation of some of James’ most endearing and well-known songs.

To those who are already familiar with this repertoire, I’m sure you can sing along. For those who arelistening for the first time, it’s just wonderful music to lose yourself in, andmaybe inspire you to checkout the source of our inspiration for this recording.

Russell Holmes

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04 05

1 Fire and Rain 5’53

2 You’ve Got a Friend 5’15

3 The Secret of Life 3’43

4 Is That the Way You Look 4’28

5 Carolina in My Mind 5’57

6 Close Your Eyes 4’45

7 Shower the People You Love with Love 9’28

8 How Sweet It Is... 2’38

9 Something in the Way She Moves 5’54

10 Long Ago and Far Away 7’14

11 Steamroller Blues 4’18

Total Playing Time 60’16

All compositions by James Taylor except2 composed by Carole King.Arrangements by Russell Holmes except1 arranged by Matt Willis.

Russell Holmes pianoMatt Willis bassDaniel Susnjar drums

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Executive ProducersMartin Buzacott, Robert Patterson

Recording Producer Russell Holmes, Mal Stanley

MasteringMal Stanley

Editorial and Production Manager Katherine Kemp

Publications Editor Natalie Shea

Booklet Design Imagecorp Pty Ltd

Cover Photo Johner Images / Punchstock

Originally commissioned for Jazztrack with Mal Stanley on ABC Classic FM.

Recorded direct to two-track by Mal Stanley at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Studio 345, Southbank,

Melbourne on 16 and 17 April 2008.

Thanks to James Taylor, whom we were fortunate enough to support and meet at the Leeuwin Estate concert,

Margaret River, WA in 2003. That night cemented his music in our hearts and minds.

An enormous thank you to Mal Stanley for his engineering, producing and constant support and belief in the music.

Thanks to WA’s Department of Culture and the Arts. Thanks greatly to Bernadette, Melanie, Sarah, Jeremy, Emma,

Doree, Matt’s Mel, my parents Vince and Lesley and to all the people who have heard us at the Northbridge Hotel

on a Friday afternoon.

This album is dedicated to the memory of my great friend Matt Price.

ABC Classics thanks Alexandra Alewood.

� 2009 Australian Broadcasting Corporation.© 2009 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Distributed in Australia and New Zealand byUniversal Music Group, under exclusive licence. Made in Australia. All rights of the owner of copyright reserved. Any copying, renting,lending, diffusion, public performance or broadcast of this record without the authority of the copyright owner is prohibited.