James Taylor - Original Song Manuscript Original manuscript for "Knockin Around the Zoo" Start Price USD 4,000.00 Current Price USD 4,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 8,500.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, June 28, 2008 End Time Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Location Baltimore, Maryland See more about 'James Taylor - Original Song Manuscript' Description [Music] Taylor, James. Original manuscript for Knocking 'Round the Zoo. Original manuscript for draft of legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor's early song, "Knocking 'Round the Zoo," composed in 1967, shortly after Taylor's stay at the Belmont Psychiatric Hospital for severe depression when he was 17 years old. Taylor recorded this song on his first album, James Taylor and the Flying Machine, and the lyric was written out for John Herald (noted songwriter and bluegrass musician in his own right). Herald was playing in an early version of Taylor's short-lived band, and the lyric was written for purposes of recording a demo. In Herald's detailed letter of provenance, he confirms that this manuscript page was writtten and given to him in 1967 on the day Taylor first recorded this song, which was the first to be recorded at the session. To the best of our knowledge, this is Taylor's earliest known handwritten lyric to have ever appeared for sale. "Knocking 'Round the Zoo" is a droll but angry look at Taylor's depression and subsequent hospitalization at a mental institution, a theme later made poignant in TaylorÕs now famous breakout hit "Fire and Rain." The holograph additions made in this particular manuscript appear in both recorded versions of the song, which appear on Taylor's first solo record, James Taylor (Apple Records, 1968), and James Taylor and the Flying Machine (Euphoria, 1971, recorded prior to Taylor's first solo album, but released a few years later). Other lines in this original draft represent do not appear on either version of the song, and are unique to this manuscript. A historically important and unique piece from one of the greatest and most influential singer-songwriters in rock history.Accompanying the manuscript are brand-new DVDs of both James Taylor and the Flying Machine, and the subsequent debut on Apple, James Taylor, which contain both versions of the song. John Herald is a legendary folk musician whose roots go back to the late 1950's bluegrass scene. He was a major player in the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 1960's, where he attended jam sessions with the likes of Bob Dylan, Rory Block and Ramblin' Jack Elliott. In addition to the long-term association with his band The Greenbriar Boys, he has recorded with Jack Elliott and Doc Watson, managed bluegrass legend Bill Monroe, and written songs recorded by Linda Rondstadt, Jonathan Edwards, Maria Muldaur and Joan Baez. 8 x10 inches, somewhat worn and slightly foxed manuscript lyric sheet hand-printed in lined paper in bold pencil, with several holograph corrections; separate letter of provenance from John Herald. Manuscript is housed in a quarter-leather clamshell box, with gilt titles at the spine.Overnight shipping within the United States or Express shipment to International destinations provided at no extra charge. Powered by eBay Turbo ListerThe free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!