"Fire And Rain," Babyface

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Goes for adds on August 20.

I don't know what album this is from, but it's almost certainly a James Taylor cover.

[sleepy eat pepper]

Ugh.

The James Taylor original is a classic.

He's going to ruin this.

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This is from his upcoming covers album Playlist, his debut at Mercury.

[anitabakerfan]

I wanna hear this...... ;D

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Listen

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Now on iTunes.

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Billboard review:

Fire and Rain
KENNY "BABYFACE" EDMONDS
Producer(s): Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds
Label: Mercury

The new album from master singer/ songwriter Babyface, "Playlist," delivers a collection of covers from equally illustrious hit composers: Eric Clapton, Dan Fogelberg, Jim Croce, Bread and, on the first single, James Taylor. The unexpected irony of Mr. Edmonds' reading of the classic "Fire and Rain" is just how much he and JT sound alike—without any affectation from Face. Musically, it stays true to the original, led by taut acoustic guitars, further demonstrating the artist's prowess as a musician and rep as one of the most polished producers of our time. A plush homage to the '70s, further proving Babyface's timeless talent. —Chuck T

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SEEING 'FIRE AND RAIN' AGAIN: James Taylor made his Adult Contemporary chart debut 37 years ago this month with "Fire and Rain," which peaked at No. 7. The song had already charted AC four months earlier, when R.B. Greaves' cover had a two-week run in May.

Now, "Fire and Rain" is back for a third run, courtesy of Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. The writer/producer/label founder debuts at No. 26 with his remake of Taylor's first hit.

It's been 10 years since Babyface had an AC hit. "Every Time I Close My Eyes" debuted in February 1997 and peaked at No. 17 in May. Between April 1990 and August 1997 he had five chart entries and his longest gap between hits was the four years between "Whip Appeal" in 1990 and "And Our Feelings" in 1994.

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Moves 12-10 Adult Contemporary becoming his first Top 10 at Adult Contemporary since "When Can I See You" in 1994.

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KENNY AND JAMES: Not only does Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds have his first top 10 hit on the Adult Contemporary chart in over 13 years, but he has tied the highest mark of his career on this tally.

Edmonds' remake of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" on the Mercury label climbs 12-10, equaling the peak position of "When Can I See You" in 1994. "When Can I See You" and "Fire and Rain" are Edmonds' only top 10 hits on the AC list.

Taylor made his first appearance on the AC chart with "Fire and Rain," which peaked at No. 7 in 1970. The song was also an AC chart entry that year for R.B. Greaves (of "Take a Letter Maria" fame), who took it to No. 37. If Edmonds can jump up four more rungs, he will have the highest-ranking recording of "Fire and Rain" on the AC survey.