After several months of counting down to the concert, I finally got to go and see my favourite EVER musician, James Taylor, at the Vector Arena on Saturday night. I’ve loved James Taylor’s music since my dad introduced me to it about six or seven years ago and I’d always hoped that I’d get to see him live in concert. I’ve been to a lot of concerts over the years but James Taylor and Carole King’s Troubadour Reunion concert is the best by far. Although I’m not a huge fan of Carole King’s it was great to see her belt out her hits and her duets with James were amazing. I could have easily listened to both of them sing for the rest of the evening and judging from the several standing ovations and numerous encores, so could the rest of the audience.
Watching and listening to James perform some of my favourite songs, such as Fire and Rain, Sweet Baby James, You’ve Got a Friend, and a hilarious performance of the Blues-inspired Steamroller, was an experience I’ll never forget.
James Taylor is one of those singers that make me feel great every time I listen to him. The feeling that his songs and his mellow voice invoke are hard to describe but they just make me feel good about life and I know that if I’ve had a bad day or I’m feeling down, James Taylor can pick me back up again.
Are there any musicians or songs that have a similar connection for you?
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We were lucky enough to be at the Christchurch show which was very much as you’ve described the Vector Arena one. His voice hasn’t changed in 40 years but Carole King’s has become harsher and she missed quite a few notes in the higher register. What impressed me was the innocence of the lyrics – simple, straightfoward…”shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel…”. Made me nostalgic for a simpler world. Todd Rundgren’s “Just One Victory” always gets me going.
Carole King’s voice definitely sounded a bit tired and you’re right about her higer notes. Songwriters back then definitely knew how to write a good song and were much better lyricists than singers today, but then I guess it’s like you say that it was a simpler world.
I am in Invercargill and I am just back Auckland – BIG week up there and tough to chose between seeing James and Carol or my brand new first grandbaby.
The things you wrote on your blog could have been absolutely the same as I would have written – except a friend introduced me to James in the 1980’s. I see there is one CD I havent got of his. That will be corrected asap!!!
I was surprised there isnt a NZ Fan Club – we will have to start one!
I thought I was the only James fan in Invercargill but as I said a couple of times – people said oh my sister is going, and then some children I use to babysit parents went too.
My son got the name of a chap taking pics of the concert so we will be in contact (he had a top camera)and if he is willing to share them and you would like them I will send them on to you.
That would be excellent! Thanks Wendy 🙂