The quieter the performance, the more likely it is someone from the crowd will shout, “We love you!” The audience at James Taylor’s show Sunday at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan called out the love messages early and often.
His heart full, Taylor answered with great thought and wit.
“That’s an encouraging thing to hear, thank you,” Taylor called back, wearing a blue blazer and matching fedora, the first of four hats he would wear during the show. “I love you, too (pause). I can’t explain it. I do think it helps us not to know each other. That’s where the trouble comes.”
The 78-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer spent the first segment of his show in “recovery” mode. Backed by his collection of fellow graybeards in his All Star Band, Taylor explained in his previous tour he’d focused on travel songs.
This time it was his recovery over addiction, punctuated by “Rainy Day Man,” the legend strumming and singing, “All those noble thoughts, they don’t belong. Can’t hide the truth with a happy song. And since you knew where you stood all along. Just call on your rainy day man.”
Later, “Fire and Rain,” among Taylor’s greatest hits, revisited the topic. The hitmaker explained that John Belushi’s shocking death from an overdose in 1981 jarred him into treatment, finally establishing a consistently clean and sober lifestyle in ‘83.
The show was lifted by Taylor’s time-honored classics. ‘Mexico,” “Up on the Roof” (the great Carole King composition), “Carolina in My Mind,” “Country Road,” “Your Smiling Face” and “How Sweet it Is” all rolled out.
The show was split by an intermission, though Taylor said, “I don’t know why we do that. We all just stand over there,” gesturing to a spot out of sight on stage right.
Longtime music fans recognized the great “Blue Lou” Marini on sax, a member of the original “Saturday Night Live” and Blues Brothers bands. Taylor’s son, Henry, is also on tour. He looks so much like Taylor in his younger days, taller even.
As Taylor and the band bowed out after “How Sweet it I and an acoustic “Secret o’ Life,” those in the room knew him even better. But trouble? Not on this evening. Only the love.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.