New Moon Shine Songs Ranked
New Moon Shine is singer-songwriter James Taylor’s 13th studio album, which was certified platinum. Released September 24, 1991, the album peaked the following month at number 37 on the Billboard 200 albums list. The album received generally good reviews; the New York Times’s Stephen Holden observed that New Moon Shine “finds [Taylor] near the top of his form in songs like ‘Slap Leather,’ a playfully pungent rock-and-roll critique of social and environmental ills, and ‘Copperline,’ a nostalgic ballad remembering his North Carolina roots.” The album was producer/pianist Don Grolnick’s sixth and final studio album with Taylor prior to his death in 1996 at age 48 from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Here are all of New Moon Shine songs ranked.
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12. Copperline
“Copperline” is almost textbook James Taylor; the story of growing up in the backwoods and going back. Told with a touch of nostalgia, a shot of wistfulness and a dash of disappointment, it captures just what makes him a great songwriter.”
11. The Water Is Wide
“The Water is Wide”, which is an arrangement of a traditional song. It’s a great song to just close your eyes and indulge in the great sound, and one of JT’s best album finales.”
10. Down in the Hole
“Tunes like “Down in The Hole”, while initially appearing to be mindlessly rocking and somewhat unmelodious, work their way into ones soul with equal amounts of mystery and conviction.”
9. Oh Brother
“The awesome thing about JT is his brilliance in allowing the listener to enjoy his music on a light, bright, joyful level. But since music – great music like this – tells the truth (musically & lyrically as Art), JT is also there for those who want to seek out life’s meaning with their soul.”
See more: James Taylor Albums Ranked
8. (I’ve Got To) Stop Thinkin’ ‘Bout That
“(I’ve Got to) Stop Thinkin’ ‘Bout That” is an upbeat song that is also about a lost love, and the singer seems to be driving himself crazy trying to forget his ex.”
7. Native Son
“Native Son” is another contender for the best track on the disc. The song deals with the relief of a war ending and the returning to the comforts of home after a long battle.”
6. Shed a Little Light
“Shed A Little Light” is an upbeat and infectious tune even though lyrically it sometimes crosses the line into blatant didacticism. The fourth track (“Shed a Little Light”) is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., and carries a great message.”
5. Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha
“Most of JTs covers have been well chosen and well executed. That is certainly not the case with his appalling take on Sam Cooke’s “Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha”…not an instantly memorable Cooke classic, that’s for sure. This track is the absolute nadir of Taylor’s recorded output.”
See more: James Taylor Songs Ranked
4. The Frozen Man
“My favorite on the CD is “The Frozen Man”, a song that sends you to the lyric sheet to follow along with the story. If you are thinking about exploring James Taylor after listening to just his greatest hits, this is the CD to listen to first.”
3. One More Go Round
“If you like JT, then you should definitely have this in your collection. Every album is like a slice of the man’s life — reflecting where he was at the time, and the issues he faced that we all eventually face.”
2. Slap Leather
“Not as successful but still a lot of fun is “Slap Leather,” using a rollicking arrangement and cowboy metaphors to rail against the obliviousness of the 80’s narcissism. (And may be the only song to use the words “Big Mac Falafel” as part of the lyric.)”
1. Like Everyone She Knows
“Like Everyone She Knows” begins as a song about a girl loosing self confidence, but soon evolves into a great message: No matter what anyone tells you, never give up on a love.”
