Dare you to sit still for this one! James and the band blast through Danny Kortchmar’s “Honey Don’t Leave LA” (which James recorded on his 1977 album JT), in this footage from July 1979 at the Blossom Music Center. Click now to watch.
In the latest release from JT’s video vault, James and the band take a trip to “Mexico”! Click now to watch this footage from James’s 1979 show at the Blossom Music Festival.
In case you missed it: James, Kim and Henry were surprise guests at the Newport Folk Festival on July 28, subbing for a sick performer at the last minute. Read more about the show, and how James got involved, at BerkshireEagle.com.
Photo: Photo: Nina Westervelt
In this vintage footage from his July 1979 show at Ohio’s Blossom Music Center, James and the band get into the groove on the title track from JT’s 1974 album, Walking Man. Watch now!
The folks at Music On Vinyl have announced the next in their series of JT LP reissues — James’s 1979 album, Flag, pressed on hot pink vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies, will hit shelves next month! For more information, please visit MusicOnVinyl.com.
Click now to see James speak about the stories behind “The Frozen Man” and “Fire And Rain”, his time in London in the 60s, and songwriting in this clip from a November 1993 episode of the BBC program, The Late Show.
I remember seeing Tony Bennett on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, the children’s TV show. He was basically explaining what his job was to the children who were the show’s audience. It was a straight-ahead presentation of a working jazz musician, a description of himself that was simple and honest.
Tony was such a bright light in our world and the longevity of his career gave him a depth, a gravitas that tied together two main generations of contemporary, popular music, Frank Sinatra to Stevie Wonder. Our baby boom generation turned away from our parents’ music: Sinatra and the Las Vegas Rat Pack ethos, Big Band swing and Broadway. In the mid 60s, starting with folk music and Dylan, then the Beatles, Motown, Memphis, San Francisco… we would have our own music, and we drew a distinct line with the past. Somehow, Tony Bennett weathered that abandonment and persevered. Then, in his late 70s, he was reborn. I remember his MTV, Unplugged appearance. Tony was back on top and there was never a more worthy comeback.
He embodied the sophistication and urbane gentility of the High Society Jazz Era but without the macho arrogance and decadence of the Rat Pack, as parodied on SNL by Bill Murray’s Lounge Lizard. I never met a more believably positive person. He radiated his love of being alive. You never got a whiff of sarcasm or cynicism. I first met him at a benefit (for something which now escapes me) but he was immediately open and present and, when he told me he dug my music, I totally believed him. Whenever our paths crossed, he’d insist I run for President. I was never completely sure he was kidding.
He offered advice on maintaining my voice and gave me a tape of Bel Canto exercises that I still use today: ”Use it or lose it, James.” We must have worked together a dozen times. He joined me for my series at Carnegie Hall and later invited me to sing on his Duets album; a high point for me. Whenever I wonder just how long I should carry on touring and performing in public, I think of his example: Tony Bennett, the greatest last man standing…
~ James Taylor
Photo: Michael Lutch
Here’s James with a solo performance of “The Frozen Man” (a song from his 1991 album, New Moon Shine) in this footage from a 1993 episode of the BBC’s The Late Show. Watch now!
Visit the JamesTaylor.com store now to save 15% to 20% on all in-stock vinyl LPs. Prices are valid only while inventory lasts, so order today!
In this clip from a November 1993 episode of the BBC2 program, The Late Show, JT performs a lovely rendition of his classic, “Fire And Rain”. Click now to enjoy!