On August 13, 2002, “Columbia” label released “October Road”, the fifteenth James Taylor studio album. It was recorded 2001 – 2002, and was produced by Russ Titelman. In November 2002, the album was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

• James Taylor – vocals, guitar
• Ry Cooder– guitar
• Michael Landau– guitar
• Mark Knopfler– vocals, guitar
• John Sheldon – guitar, harmonics
• John Pizzarelli– guitar
• Bobby Mann– guitar
• Greg Phillinganes– keyboards
• Clifford Carter– organ, keyboards, piano, synth rhodes, synth organ, string pad
• Rob Mounsey– keyboards, synthesizer, synth bagpipes, penny whistle, percussion, string pad
• Chiara Civello– piano, backing vocals
• Larry Goldings – piano
• Robbie Kilgore – piano
• Tommy Morgan – harmonica
• Jimmy Johnson– bass
• Steve Gadd– drums
• M Hans Liebert – synth conga, piano, synth percussion
• Luis Conte– percussion
• Michael Brecker– saxophone
• Lou Marini– saxophone
• Harry Allen– tenor saxophone
• Walt Fowler – trumpet
• Steve Scully – chorus
• Michael Eisenstein – chorus
• Nina Gordon– chorus
• Josh Lattanzi – chorus
• Kay Hanley – chorus
• David Lasley– chorus, backing vocals
• Valerie Carter– chorus, backing vocals
• Kate Markowitz– chorus, backing vocals
• Arnold McCuller– chorus, backing vocals
• Richard Sebring – French horn
• Liane Mautner – violin
• Cenovia Cummins – violin
• Brian Dembow – viola
• Bruce Dukov – violin
• Stuart Duncan – violin
• Julie Ann Gigante – violin
• Tamara Hatwan – violin
• Alan Grunfeld – violin
• Karen Jones – violin
• Richard Sortomme – violin
• Donna Tecco – violin
• Belinda Whitney – violin
• Margaret Wooten – violin
• Kenneth Yerke – violin
• Natalie Leggett – violin
• Mark O’Connor– violin
• Robin Olson – violin
• Karen Bakunin – viola
• Carrie Holzman-Little – viola
• Stephen Erdody – cello
• Paula Hochhalter – cello
• Yo-Yo Ma– cello
• Caroline Taylor – backing vocals
• Sally Taylor– backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by James Taylor except where noted.

1. September Grass – John I. Sheldon
2. October Road
3. On the 4th of July
4. Whenever You’re Ready
5. Belfast to Boston
6. Mean Old Man
7. My Traveling Star
8. Raised Up Family
9. Carry Me on My Way
10. Caroline I See You
11. Baby Buffalo
12. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Martin, R. Blane