Heartfelt songs and poetic lyrics never grow old

For four decades, American singer-songwriter James Taylor has brought joy and comfort to countless music lovers with heartfelt songs and poetic lyrics that speak directly to the soul.

It is a talent few musicians possess. And with Taylor, it's more than mere ability - it's his reason for being.

Even after becoming addicted to heroin in the 1960s, he found a way to pull himself out and continue to create music that tells remarkable stories of love and sorrow.

His new album One Man Band is as much a greatest hits compilation as a live album. Taylor's first live album in 13 years, it was recorded over several days at a concert at the Colonial Theatre in his hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

The timeless songs collected on this album span five decades. Together with a two-hour companion DVD, the album reflects the life of this great American music hero and remind us why he's a voice for so many generations.

Taylor was part of the new wave of singer-songwriters who emerged in the 1970s, and included the likes of Joni Mitchell, Don McLean and Carole King. They penned folk rock, country and acoustic-style songs of a deeply personal nature.

Taylor began his music career in the 1960s and released his self-titled debut album in 1968. The album was far from successful in terms of sales, but it has at least one great song: Carolina On My Mind.