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On this day 28 June 2009, American singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor played the Cardiff International Arena on his European “Down Home” Tour.
His band included Steve Gadd, Larry Goldings, Jimmy Johnson, Michael Landau, Kate Markowitz, Arnold McCuller and Andrea Zonn.
The previous September Taylor had released his eighteenth studio album ‘Covers’ The album was recorded by Taylor's regular touring band.
Some of the tunes Taylor had been performing off and on in concerts for years, while others were new to his repertoire. The effort garnered modestly good reviews and two Grammy Award nominations.
Review: James Taylor at Cardiff International Arena
IT was a world away from the recent hyped-up showstoppers of Take That and Oasis, but American singer songwriter James Taylor achieved the same enthusiastic, appreciative reception as he stepped gingerly on to the stage.
He didn’t need special effects, fancy lighting or even a costume – with his exceptionally talented band and his reputation as an accomplished performer, he had all he needed – an adoring audience that lapped up his every word. He went even further to winning the Cardiff crowd’s hearts as he did his best to pronounce the brand of his bottled water (Brecon Carreg) and a seaside town he had once passed through – Aberystwyth.
Taylor’s mellow, genteel renditions of Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ from the musical Oklahoma, and George Jones’ Why Baby Why showed effortless capability. The 61-year-old musician made this gig as much about his band as it was about him, with Copperline featuring backing singer Andrea Zonn showcasing her breathtaking ability on the violin.
Next, soul singer in his own right, Arnold McCuller wowed the audience by blending Taylor’s 1976 classic Shower the People into an instant gospel classic.
Dressed casually in jeans and a buttoned-down shirt, Taylor made the crowd feel as if they were sitting in a cosy bar with a handful of spectators. As he prepared for folk ballads with a wooden stool and acoustic guitar, he allowed the arena’s silence to build until screams of “I love you James!” came from the corners of the hall. His endearing bashfulness only caused more adoration, with competitive heckles of “We love you more!” following. The band relished the opportunity to thrill the fans with hits from Taylor’s latest album Covers, with performances of Carole King’s You’ve Got a Friend and the Big Mama Thornton inspired Hound Dog.
And just when they thought it was time to go home, Taylor treated the audience to no fewer than three encores, with the Marvin Gaye favourite How Sweet it is to be Loved By You, his hit lullaby Sweet Baby James and Wilson Pickett’s I’m Gonna Wait ’Til the Midnight Hour.
The contented look on every fan’s face as they left the arena said it all – James Taylor knows how to work a crowd.
Sarah Bunney
Setlist
Country Road
Fire and Rain
It's Growing
(The Temptations cover)
Wichita Lineman
(Jimmy Webb cover)
Walking Man
Up on the Roof
(Carole King cover)
Everyday
(Buddy Holly cover)
Sweet Baby James
Mexico
Carolina in My Mind
You've Got a Friend
(Carole King cover)
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
(Marvin Gaye cover)
Shed a Little Light
Steamroller
Shower the People
Whiskey Before Breakfast
([traditional] cover)
Hound Dog
(Big Mama Thornton cover)
