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  • Break Shot: My First 21 Years

  • Words + Music | Vol. 2
  • Written by: James Taylor
  • Narrated by: James Taylor
  • Length: 1 hr and 33 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,211 ratings)

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Break Shot: My First 21 Years

Written by: James Taylor
Narrated by: James Taylor
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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

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What listeners say about Break Shot: My First 21 Years

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Transfixing

I expected to enjoy this book as I’m a fan of James Taylor’s songwriting but his storytelling skills immobilized and captured me. I loved the way he weaved geography and what home and identity means into the narrative of his family. Musical references and influences added to this honest, articulate, respectful. gentle story that never slipped into self pity or a need to shock or brag. Every songwriter, young or old, should listen to this beautiful book.

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Excellent Listen!

Superb! Great story intertwined with lovely music. Fire and rain + a few good breaks = a legend.

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Clear, emotional, and relatable.

James Taylor is an incredibly talented storyteller. It shows in his songwriting and it shows in this piece reflecting on the early parts of his career. He tells the events clearly and strikes each chord of emotion in the delivery.
I have so much respect him.

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Excellent

I loved the story and the musical interludes. No one’s life is an easy journey. It is always unfair to compare our insides to someone else’s outsides, and our journey helps shape who we each will become. James Taylor turned his into beautiful music that helped shape our world. I’m grateful.

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James Taylor

James Taylor's story of his early life and how he came to write one of my favorite songs (Fire and Rain) really. spoke to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, and loved that the author performed his music throughout. What a terrific way to listen to a book - with original music included!

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Magnificent!

I stumbled upon this book in my 'plus' catalogue, and it was by fate that I did. James Taylor weaves a beautiful tapestry of his life, vulnerability, and fantastic journey to 21. It is an autobiography that MUST be heard. Bravo, Mr. Taylor. Bravo!

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Great story

I obviously heard of James Taylor but never knew any backstory I don’t wanna give anything away about the story but I found it very interesting to people help James along the way thanks James great story

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SWEET BABY JAMES!

We all have a story! But, sharing the pain, the fire and rain is cleansing. James Taylor’s first 21 years opens our hearts to his music in a clarifying way.

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Honesty

An amazing, tragic but successful start to life. I would like to hear more. He obviously is a great storyteller.

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Such and Easy Listen

This was a great short book that you can just enjoy ,and basically just hear someone's story.

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