Vinyl, LP, Album

The 19th studio release by the storied singer-songwriter features his interpretations of 14 classic American songs such as ‘My Blue Heaven,’ ‘Almost Like Being In Love’ and ‘The Nearness of You.’

American Standard is Taylor’s first release since 2015’s Before This World, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 to become the first US No. 1 album of his long and distinguished career. The new release has him reimagining some of the best-loved compositions of the 20th century, music in which he was steeped as a young man.

“I’ve always had songs I grew up with that I remember really well,” says Taylor, “that were part of the family record collection, and I had a sense of how to approach, so it was a natural to put American Standard together. I know most of these songs from the original cast recordings of the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, including My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Carousel, Showboat and others.

“In terms of how they were performed and recorded before, we paid attention to the chords and melody, but we were interested in doing something new, and in bringing something new to it, we’ve reinterpreted the songs, that’s what makes it worth doing.” Taylor co-produced the album with longtime collaborator Dave O’Donnell and master guitarist John Pizzarelli.

1 My Blue Heaven
2 Moon River
3 Teach Me Tonight
4 As Easy As Rolling Off A Log
5 Almost Like Being In Love
6 Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat
7 The Nearness Of You
8 You've Got To Be Carefully Taught
9 God Bless The Child
10 Pennies From Heaven
11 My Heart Stood Still
12 Ol' Man River
13 It's Only A Paper Moon
14 The Surrey With The Fringe On Top