I remember first hearing James Taylor in 1968. Here was this guy from North Carolina who had this really fine voice and was an exquisite guitar player and songwriter. What was there not to like ?
James Taylor reminded his Austin, TX audience during his concert at the Frank Erwin Center June 22 ,2016, about 1968. He talked about writing "Carolina In My Mind "
"Here I was in North Carolina living with my parents. College was not in the picture. My band 'The Flying Machine ' had broken up. Somebody decided to buy me a plane ticket and sent me to London. I hung out there and met Peter Asher. He was involved in the British invasion scene and was a part of Peter and Gordon. He ended up being my manager. He also went on to work with The Beatles at their record company, Apple Records. So, there I was recording an album in the same studio with the Beatles. I remember being with them and listening to play back of tracks that they were recording for the White Album -- being with the heavenly host of my musical idols.
I was feeling homesick, so I wrote this song.
James Taylor is not only a gifted performer but he is also very generous with his praise and support of his band members. The current all-star band includes: Jimmy Johnson-Bass, Steve Gadd-Drums, Michael Landau-Electric Guitar, Larry Goldings-Piano, Organ, Lou Conte-Percussion, Andrea Zonn-Fiddle, Trumpet-Walt Fowler, Lou Marini-Saxophone (formerly of the Saturday Night Live-SNL Band ) and singers Kate Markowitz,Arnold McCuller. All of these musicians were given tremendous spotlight during the nearly three- hour show which comprised twenty-seven songs.
The concert highlighted material from the (2015 ) release "Before This World ", perhaps one of the strongest records that he has released. He performed "Today, Today, Today", "You And I Again", "Montana" and "Angels Of Fenway", the song deals with the fictional tale of a grandson remembering his grandmother and the 2004 World Series Championship of the Boston Red Sox eradicating "the curse of the bambino" in 1918 when Babe Ruth was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees.
James Taylor and his band also delighted the crowd with a lot of favorite songs like "Fire And Rain," "You've Got A friend, "Country Road", "Mexico", "Shower The People" which featured a cameo appearance by the son of James Taylor, Henry, and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You )".
One cannot help but admire the longevity and productivity of James's Taylor's career. He has been an active collaborator with other songwriters, musicians like Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, David Crosby, Graham Nash Sting and Yo-Yo Ma. He has also contributed to political and environmental activism. He recently announced that he will be donating 100 % of the proceeds of two concerts 06/07/2016 in Edmonton, Alberta and 06/08/2016 Calgary, Alberta Canada to the Canadian Red Cross to assist the victims of the recent Fort McMurray fire. www.James.Taylor.com
It was also impressive to see that James Taylor made himself accessible to the audience members at the Austin, TX show signing autographs and posing with people for selfie shots during the intermission.
James Taylor notes in his song "Shed A Little Light": "and recognize that there are ties between us, all men and women living on the Earth. Ties of hope and love, sister and brotherhood."
James Taylor continues to shed more light in his musical life and career to the delight of many people.
How sweet it is!
May it be so.