Songs that serve as tunnels of light and hope
REVIEW: James Taylor proves that he can still play the game
The moment he sang, “Won’t you look down upon me, Jesus? You’re going to help me make a stand, You’ve got to see me through another day,” there was no denying my feelings any longer—I was in tears.
As my wife and I braved the traffic-riddled 7-kilometer drive to the Mall of Asia Arena on April 8, we exchanged notes that could help manage my expectations for "An Evening with James Taylor."I reassured her How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) will always be included in any JT setlist—JT, being the nickname legions of Manila fandom have given James Taylor. I quietly mumbled that I hoped You Can Close Your Eyes would be sung—one of my favorite gems—even mentioning that Sting performed it in a tribute concert to JT.
Earlier that day, I called a friend about the evening’s event. There are Taylorheads, and I think Anthony, who is a well-known painter, is in the upper tier. It was he who got me listening to Handy Man in the late 1990s. I believe he knows all of the songs in the catalog, and he prepped me that morning with a list of his Top 5. He also sent me a photo taken of him and James after a concert in Malaysia circa 1997. He emphatically adds, “sobra siyang down to earth!”
And so he is. Appearing onstage to everyone’s excitement, the man is truly fascinating to watch, exuding warmth and humility through his lanky gait and sartorial ease. He says a few warm and heartfelt words and waves at our side of the stage and proceeds to pick up his guitar and sit on his chair. It goes without the usual fanfare and pulsating light effects of most current performances.
JT’s first few songs were ballads, and I couldn’t really recognize if they were from his later albums. One of his recent albums, October Road, has one of my favorite songs, September Grass, which I think will always be on my playlist. I kept my fingers crossed.
But the proverbial ice breaker and gauntlet throw-down came via the hit Country Road, as Taylor’s sinuous vocal remains true amidst the upbeat accompaniment of a full band. And to my surprise, JT brought the A-game band. A few hits on the high hat, and I thought to myself, “Is that Steve Gadd?” And noticing the beautiful wandering licks of the bass just to emphasize the pocket, “Is the player Jimmy Johnson?” JT confirmed these later when he introduced the band, which also included the Grammy-nominated guitarist Dean Parks.
For me, one of the highlights of the evening was a new “old song,” and it comes from JT’s early album Mud Slide Slim. As the beloved singer began his intro spiel, “We would like to do another song from the album where Carole King wrote a song…” the audience interrupted with shrills and shouts, and JT, with his witty humor responded, “I know it takes forever,” he laughs, and funnily adds, “but we’ll do that later.” And in a light-hearted and funny move, he picks up the setlist on the floor, which was written on a vertical elongated board, and points to the song. I truly appreciated the moment as it really showed JT’s disarming vulnerability and transparency.
The popular hits now arrive in droves, but I realize it was just a number of songs that I have always listened to. It really breaks down one’s defenses. Mexico comes on, and its upbeat groove makes us move our bottoms in our seats. Then the much-awaited lyric is heard, “You can play the game” and “You can act the part,” and it elicits happy howls from the crowd as we recognize it is the song Shower the People, an amazing sonnet about selflessness and love. In my opinion, it is a subtle owner’s manual on how we could be who we are to our fellow men. It drives a simple mantra into our souls: “Shower the people you love with love,” as sung by JT in a resonating, hypnotic rhythm. And, alas, my tearjerker song, Fire and Rain, which made my surrender inevitable. The song is identifiable when one experiences dark valleys and hope seems to be fleeting.
Moving to the encore, for part one, JT exclaims, “Of course, we can’t leave without singing this one,” and proceeds to the rendition of Carole King’s classic, You’ve Got a Friend. It was more than “the song we came to hear,” as seeing JT on stage with his mannerism and gesticulations gave it a new experience, coupled with his terrific band. It brought the house down. I always reflected on how fresh pundits would easily detract from the veracity of this masterpiece due to its frequency played and old-school sound. But I dare say it will remain a timeless classic.
As the evening draws to a close, James and his singers, which includes his better half, huddle for one last time and for the last hurrah as part two of the encore. And so my wish for the evening comes true. Sans the band and only accompanied by his guitar, You Can Close Your Eyes is sung and left me flabbergasted at first, then poignant and sentimental in my seat, if not shedding more tears.
Here’s to Mr. James Taylor. He is as good as there will ever be, if not incomparable. Thank you for mirroring our condition, and identifying with it, and as your songs give us comfort, they are tunnels of light and hope.