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Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon

by James Taylor

Released: April 11, 1971

Folk rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in April 1971 by Warner Bros. Several songs from the album, especially "You Can Close Your Eyes," became concert standards for Taylor.

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James Taylor - Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon

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Reception

Recorded between early January and late February of that year, the album features Taylor's biggest hit, a cover of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," which reached #1 on the Billboard charts on July 31, 1971. The album also produced another Top 40 hit, "Long Ago and Far Away," which reached #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album itself peaked at #2, just behind King's Tapestry, which also included her version of the song.

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The Complete Album Story

"Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in April 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. Recorded between early January and late February of that year, the album features Taylor's biggest hit, a cover of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend," which reached #1 on the Billboard charts on July 31, 1971. The album itself peaked at #2, just behind King's Tapestry, which also included her version of the song.

The track earned Grammy Awards for both Taylor (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male) and King (Song of the Year). The album also produced another Top 40 hit, "Long Ago and Far Away," which reached #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. Several songs from the album, especially "You Can Close Your Eyes," became concert standards for Taylor.