James Taylor

Lola picked out a DVD (okay, I did) at the library. Sing Yourself Silly is so much fun. First, we stumbled across Ladybug Picnic. My mom sings this to the kids, finally found it on You Tube and Lola wouldn't stop asking to see it. Even Sid starts to yell when it comes on. I think it is also how Lola started using the mouse pad on the laptop. I came home from work one day to find Lola sitting on the side of the rocking chair, saying,"watch this Momma," and then Ladybug Picnic blasting so loud that I wasn't surprised when she loudly said, "What!?!?" when I asked what she was doing and why it was so loud. By the way, Gigi is sitting right there in the rocking chair. Apparently this had been going on a while. Marc said it was on when he came home at 1 and I don't get home until after 4:30pm. Yikes.

Back to the DVD. There is a wonderful song Jelly Man Kelly done by James Taylor. I love it. It is catchy, cute and there are all these kids that sing a long with him. He wrote it off of a poem that his daughter wrote in school. And he is hot in a 70's rock star kind of way. So one morning, Lola and I are enjoying a little James when I notice that he has these pretty long yucky nails. "Really?" I think to myself. So I rewind and have Marc look. I was kinda put off. They are pretty long and thick. I am not one that should judge fingernails, as I have been a biter since second grade when I observed Erin Wheelock doing this very thing. I have never been able to quit despite my mother's numerous attempts with hot sauce, rubber-bands, and continuous swatting. But long nails on men are just gross. I like them clipped and short. Heck, I wouldn't even frown upon some bitten down nails. But not James Taylor. This guy has long nails.

So this morning I decided to do a little research to see if anyone else had noticed. I found this quote by James himself: "My style of playing is evolved around hymns ... mostly I think hymns and Woody Guthrie. A few Christmas carols. But it's the thumb. I use the thumb (emphasizes the word 'thumb') (L) and the hands that are attached to my arms ... the thumb and these three fingers. For a while there I was breaking fingernails regularly and I had these artificial nails put on. But some of you may do that I don't know. Do any of you use those nails? Well, they're interesting. It's hard to get them to believe you. You say what you want just play the guitar (L). But there's something inherently evil about them. It is epoxying something to your fingertips. You have power." Transcript of James Taylor Workshop At A&R Studios - circa 1976 or 1977

Huh. I never would have thought. Then again, I have never played a guitar. This explains it all. Love him - long nails and all!!