Concert Rocks the Night Away

              (Taken with a trusty little Kodak Easy Share camera, from way back in the audience.)


 Some nights in life are almost picture perfect. Such was the case at a recent James Taylor concert at Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts.

 
 
Imagine a huge "shed" with open sides where famous musicians come to play.  Surrounding the covered stage are acres of green grass where thousands of concert-goers sit on lawn chairs or blankets. Magic is in the air!

That is Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Fabulous music produced there fills the night air. Candles set in containers on blankets flicker like fireflies, stars glow in the sky above, and fans of Taylor get their fill of terrific music.

At the Tanglewood concert,  James Taylor enchanted his fans with his mellow voice and guitar playing. The immensely popular musician drew thunderous applause from thousands of his devoted fans.

Guest artists were Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Both singers added to the night of popular musical selections.  One song Gill sang, about seeing the beautiful smile of his wife, was a winner.

In the second half of the program, Taylor covered his almost bald head with a beret. Age has not kept this entertainer from giving it his best. His voice remains clear and vibrant. Seeing him perform is like watching one's brother. He talks with the audience, jokes, and makes everyone feel like he is in their living rooms.

He sang new songs as well as old favorites like "Up on the Roof" which was written by Carole King and her husband for the Drifters. It's  about a misty morning in New York City and how people can escape the summer by going up to the tops of tenement buildings.

Taylor wore beige colored pants and a white shirt.  He told how he wrote "Baby James" for his newborn nephew.

The lighting enveloped the stages with changing colors.  It was even fun to look up at the colorful, design-filled ceiling above the stage.

Grant, Gill, and Taylor gave the thousands of concertgoers their very best. The applause was loud and long. 

Sounds of "I've seen fire and I've seen rain," filled the open shed.  Taylor wrote those lyrics when he was a very young man At the time, he was fighting depression and drug abuse. Verse one has been said to be  Taylor's reaction to a friend's suicide. 

                        "I always thought that I'd see you again," the melancoly song continued. 

Taylor's fans were very glad to see him again at Tanglewood.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE MUSIC OF JAMES TAYLOR?  AMY GRANT?  VINCE GILL?