On Tuesday my love Janis and I went to the James Taylor concert at Rexall Place in Edmonton. What better way to celebrate our 12th anniversary then a James Taylor concert. This was my second time seeing James Taylor in concert, the first time was great but this was even better, part of that would be because I know his music better now then I did eight years ago when I last saw him. I felt like the youngest person at the show as this was an older crowd for sure.
The best way to sum up a James Taylor concert is Class Act!!! The man is not only talented as a guitar player and singer songwriter but he is also a gentleman, funny, gracious, humble and very generous as he donated all the proceeds from the Edmonton and Calgary shows to the Fort McMurray fire aid.
James is on the road touring for his new album Before This World his first new material album in thirteen years. Touring with James again is his seasoned All-Star band which includes Michael Landau on guitar, Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Blue Lou Marini of SNL fame on horns and many more. Just a great back-up band all very professional and looked to having as much fun as James is performing together.
At 68 years old James Taylor has still got his smooth vocal delivery. They played all the hits including Fire & Rain, Sweet Baby James, You've Got A Friend which was dedicated to the city of Fort McMurray, Angels Of Fenway a great song about the curse of the Bambino and the Boston Red Sox baseball team, Mexico, Carolina In My Mind, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)a Marvin Gaye song. he also told some great stories between songs, one story being about traveling to Europe at a young age and getting the break of playing his songs for Paul McCartney and George Harrison of the Beatles. He eventually got signed to the Beatles Apple Records, the first artist signed to the label. James did two sets on this night. He joked at the end of the first set, saying he didn't know why they took this 20 minute break as all he does is stand behind the curtain and look at his watch the whole time. Well that wasn't true as during the intermission James didn't leave the stage at all instead sitting on the edge of the stage signing autographs and taking selfies with many in the audience, and having fun doing it. Again very classy.
Both sets of the night were well over an hour. The audience was eating up his tunes, singing along, and near the end of the show when they let the crowd move up to the stage, some dancing broke out, as the songs got a little more rocking as well. Something that did bother me about the show was people in the crowd yelling out songs they wanted to hear. Give it up people, he didn't ask for requests, and yells of I Love You James, shut the fuck up people you're embarrassing. I like an enthusiastic crowd but that is a bit much. But James Taylor just rolled with it having fun and handling it professionally, saying thank you and yes I will be playing that song eventually. I just find it bothersome hearing that shit during a performance. All and all though a great show that I enjoyed immensely. Good times!!!
James Taylor at Rexall Place in Edmonton.
Setlist.
First Set
Wandering
Secret o' Life
Everyday
Walking Man
Today Today Today
Country Road
The Frozen Man
Copperline
Carolina in My Mind
Up on the Roof
Fire and Rain
Shed a Little Light
Second Set
Instrumental
Snow Time
You've Got a Friend
The Promised Land
Shower the People
Angels of Fenway
Sweet Baby James
Steamroller
Mexico
Your Smiling Face
Encore
Knock on Wood
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
Wild Mountain Thyme
T-shirt front.
Back.
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