Sweet baby James Taylor brought over 50 years' worth of soul and blues to Starlight (2024)

James Taylor and His All-Star Band

Starlight Theatre

Wednesday, June 5

On Wednesday, June 5, James Taylor and His All-Star Band took the stage at Starlight Theatre at 8 p.m. last night, in his An Evening with James Taylor & His All-Star Band tour. Taylor, along with the 11 other artists who accompanied him, brought out a substantial range of emotions that seemed to conglomerate together throughout the night.

Opening with “Something In the Way She Moves,” Taylor’s soft and delicate voice eased the jitters of the antsy crowd as they anticipated the arrival of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. The 1968 tune put the crowd into a soothing trance with each strum of his acoustic guitar and soft delivery of lyrics.

Once the song concluded, Taylor confessed that he originally played the song back in ‘68 in a small room in London, England, auditioning in front of a couple of well-known musicians: George Harrison and Paul McCartney. Ultimately, Taylor inspired the Liverpool lads, as Harrison used some of what Taylor brought to the table in that small audition room to write “Something,” which appears on The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road.

Taylor then hopped into the Buddy Holly cover “Everyday,” continuing on with his peaceful easy-feeling vibes. This tranquil feel hop-scotched in between solo acoustic work from the legendary artist, while also allowing the nearly dozen of other band members to shine in their own right.

Putting a major spin on his recorded song versions, many tracks had a big band feel, as Taylor’s artists coincided with him on certain tunes. Vocalists Kate Markowitz, Dorian Holley, Taylor’s son Henry, fiddler and vocalist Andrea Zonn, pianist Larry Goldings, horn player Lou Marini, keys and horn player Walt Fowler, guitarist Michael Landau, bassist Jimmy Johnson, percussionist Luis Conte, and drummer Steve Gadd were the lucky eleven chosen to stand alongside Taylor, in this tour that could certainly be one of his last.

But don’t let the wrinkles fool you—Taylor is more youthful than one may have thought going into the event, as he was seen jumping up and down on stage multiple times and offering the audience plenty of laughs in between songs.

One audience member (well several) shouted out the classic, “I love you, James!” Obviously not his first time given flowers, Taylor responded, “I love you too. I do think we should see other people though.” The audience couldn’t help but give a few chuckles. He continued his witty stage presence throughout the entirety of the show, assuring no dull moments would arise.

The first set concluded after about an hour, with songs such as “Never Die Young,” “Copperline,” “Country Road,” and “Sweet Baby James,” being some of the early highlights. The production was just as amazing and engaging as the performance itself, as the screen portrayed Taylor’s life through novels and old-timey photographs.

As Taylor and the band made their way out for their second set, just about 20 minutes after concluding the first, he opened with “Carolina In My Mind,” reminiscing on his upbringing in the Tar Heel State.

But the gentle feel that this incredibly homesick song strikes would be put to a halt as the band jumped into an astonishingly lively version of the 1975 tune “Mexico,” off of Taylor’s Gorilla. With the entire band joining in on the vibrant hit, they got the crowd on their feet, specifically with help from Conte, as he carried the beat on multiple different percussion instruments.

Since Taylor already got the crowd riled up, he figured he might as well keep it that way, setting down his traditional acoustic for an electric guitar. At that moment, I did not know what the hell to expect, but it is safe to say that I was not disappointed.

“Much better than the old steam and gas ones,” Taylor joked. “We were in Amish country and we were surprised how many horse-drawn guitars were there.” I must admit, his dad jokes were definitely landing with me.

Jumping into the 1970 track “Steamroller,” Taylor began to rip away on electric, before allowing his band members to display their musical expertise in each of their solos. Landau on guitar and Goldings on the keys absolutely shredded, transforming a three-minute soft rock recording into a multi-layered dynamic live blues version. Not to mention, Taylor put his twist on the song, standing his guitar on its head, offering a wide range of vocals, and a handful of funny faces throughout.

After two absolutely tearing songs, Taylor brought the crowd back down with his most popular hit “Fire and Rain.” Slowing down what many know as the recorded version, this live expedition of the track was much more endearing and heart-pulling.

Taylor and his band then paid a nod to longtime friend and amazing musician Carole King, covering her tracks “Up On the Roof” and “You’ve Got a Friend,” before ending the set with Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”—the cover most popular by Taylor in the ‘70s.

With a three-song encore, Taylor concluded the night with “That Lonesome Road,” leaving me, personally, feeling acutely melancholic and yearning for more from the group of musicians. But that is where they would call it a night.

And while I could listen to James Taylor and His All-Star Band play for nights on end, this song was a great conclusion to an immensely emotional night of ups and downs through the storytelling of each hit. At 76 years old, Taylor tipped his hat, said “Until next time, Kansas City,” and headed down that lonesome road to St Louis for another night of transcending generations of music lovers alike.

James Taylor and His All-Star Band’s setlist:

Set 1:
Something In the Way She Moves
Everyday
Never Die Young

October Road
Secret O’ Life
Anywhere Like Heaven
Copperline
Sweet Baby James
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Sun On the Moon

Set 2:
Carolina In My Mind
Mexico
Steamroller
Fire and Rain
Up On the Roof
You’ve Got A Friend
Shower the People
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

Encore:
Shed a Little Light
Your Smiling Face
That Lonesome Road

All Photos by Ernest Douglas: