James Taylor can do it all. Ballads, rock, blues, country. Two standouts for me are Steamroller, from his 1970 release, Sweet Baby James and Brother Trucker from his 1979 album, Flag.
Here's a snippet form his bio on his web site:
"James Taylor's music embodies the art of songwriting in its most personal and universal forms. He is a master at describing specific, even autobiographical situations in a way that resonates with people everywhere. For more than forty years Taylor has been a compass for his fans, articulating moments of pain and joy, and letting his listeners know that they are not alone."
That says it a bit more elegantly than I did.
If you're not familiar with his music, start with his 1994 release Best Live. You will not be disappointed.
