Last night of the current European tour for James Taylor and his 'All Star' band (which includes, bassist and leader Jimmy Johnson, drummer Steve Gadd and guitarist Michael Landau) was at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Even though this beautiful hall hold a few thousand people, this seemd a very intimate gig from the off.
Surely one of the nicest people in music, James and the band played two career spanning sets with a few covers thrown in. His voice, his enthusiasm and it seems his heath are all on tip top for with the audience entranced all the way through.
The band are tremendous and as James introduces each member in turn throughout the first set, he shakes their hand or give them a hug, just saying thanks for being there.
Whilst all the 'hits' are on parade there are many many stories around all the songs that are played, even "One More Go Round" that they "play for the groove, but is lyrically weak", don't you believe it!
The two set are broken up with a twenty minute interval which sees James chatting with the crowd, posing for photos and signing autographs. The band comes back and the start the second set whilst on this is still going on. A true gent!
James is at one with his music and is a true legend with such a vast back catalogue and music history. His voice is as clear as ever and songs like Carolina on My Mind, Sweet Baby James and Fire and Rain are just as tingling in 2014 as they were when they were first recorded.
This was a truly magnificent show from a true troubadour.
Set 1
Something in the Way She Moves
Today, Today, Today
Lo and Behold
Wandering
Everyday
Country Road
Millworker
Carolina in My Mind
One More Go Round
Sweet Baby James
Shower the People
Set 2
Stretch of the Highway
You and I Again
Hour That the Morning Comes
Handy Man
Steamroller
Only One
Fire and Rain
Up on the Roof
Mexico
Your Smiling Face
Encore:
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
You've Got a Friend
Wild Mountain Thyme