Megan and Katie, our two wonderful daughters grew up through the 80’s and 90’s and were subjected to our music. The Beatles, the Stones, Carole King, the Eagles, lots of us boomers still listen to the same songs. One of our favorite singers was James Taylor and we owned and listened to all of his work. I never realized until the last few years that the girls really did not like James. It was especially important to me when they gave me tickets to JT for Father’s day and that they were even going with us. The concert was fabulous and even the girls were glad they were there. They were both pretty impressed with JT’s “hip” live take on Walking Down a Country Road. If you get a chance to see him and his very good group in concert – do it.
To close the first set James sang “Shed a Little Light” with his back up singers adding great vocal support. The words struck me and I encourage you to go to YouTube and listen to the Taylor song. The large and appreciative audience responded to the song with a standing ovation, I believe in no small part because most of us feel it is a time for healing not hate. The song suggests we turn our thoughts to Martin Luther King –
“And recognize that there are ties between us,
all men and women living on Earth,
ties of hope and love,
sister and brotherhood,
that we are bound together
in our desire to see the world
become a place in which our children
can grow free and strong
we are bound together by the task
that stands before us….”
It is a powerful song and sentiment and provides a focus for our future leaders. The world is a very scary place right now – it won’t get any better with walls and isolationism in my opinion.
Taylor sat on the corner of the stage during all of the twenty minute intermission and signed autographs – that is how how role models should behave. He told the audience before the break that he did not know why they actually took a break because he just stands back there watching the clock until he can come out again. Refreshing – a humble superstar who is passionate about what he does, enjoys it, and is a leader. The show ended and the chant for encore began. James came back out and after the first song he walked backstage and brought out Carole King for a few of her songs. it was an uplifting event and proof that the good old days can even get better.
I just proved again that music is good for the soul. Listen to something old or new today and if you haven’t heard him in a while, I still love Taylor’s songs and voice.
Have a great week end — Mike