Wednesday, May 19

{ how sweet it is }

The most fantastic thing happened to me tonight! I'm exhausted, but it's utterly worth staying up to blog about :)
I was about to head out the door to Book Club, when I got a text message asking me if I was still interested in seeing James Taylor at the SB Bowl this evening. 
Still interested!? 
I. Was. Riveted.
I have been told by countless friends that James Taylor is a must-see before I die (or before he dies, which I'm hoping comes first). But I also knew full well that I could not (and should not try to) afford the almost $200 ticket. I knew they had been trying to sell it on Craigslist, but to no avail. And then the words, "I'd rather just treat you" appeared on my phone screen. So big shout out and *HUGE* thank you to the Bleecker family for treating me to one of the most incredible musical experiences of my life thus far.


Hands down favorite venue? Check.
11th row seats? Check.
James AND Carole? Check...check.
Ex-boyfriend's parents and younger brother? Checks all around.


James hasn't lost an ounce of smooth since he was 22 with shoulder-length hair. But he has definitely lost some hair. Most of it, actually. And Carole! What a hoot she was. Spunky and dancing all over the place. A tad flat at times, but for crying out loud, the woman is 68 and still on tour singing "Natural Woman." I'm cutting her some slack.


The onstage chemistry was all musical...and all beautiful. They've been acquaintances, friends and musical partners since the sixties, and you could see the years and history flowing out of not only their voices, but their faces too (Remember? 11th row...mmhhhhmmmm)...







Listening to both of them has always made me wish for simpler times, brighter days, and friendlier people. But when it comes down to it, their lives were definitely not all "Tapestries" and "Country Roads." It's easy for me to listen to their timeless voices and forget that they have both struggled with their own demons. Did you know James Taylor had a full-blown heroin addiction going on by the time he was 22? Checked himself into a mental rehab institute for five months and everything. Didn't kick it until after Carly Simon and him divorced a decade later, though. And now he won't talk to her...
Have I mentioned I love Carly Simon? The only thing that would have made tonight any better is if her and James had reconciled for tonight's show and sang "You Can Close Your Eyes" together...


But Carole is pretty great too :)
And what do you know...they ended with my favorite lullabye...





We were so close I could see the tears standing on Carole's cheek as she leaned into James while the song closed. And then he pulled her head in and kissed the top of her curls. That final moment with the two of them said so much. Thank you for a wonderful night!

5 comments:

Bridget said...

seething with jealousy. seething.

but because i want to toot my own horn right now cause im a brat like that, check this baby out. http://itsahuntlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/james-taylor-is-my-favorite.html

Bridget said...

and have you seen him and carly simon sing mockingbird together? youtube that shiz. its good.

Ahn said...

bridge you would.
saw him at the bowl on my bday two years ago. magical.

Kristin H said...

I am crying. Gorgeous post. Love him! I sneaked into one of his concerts in Singapore. A memory for life!

Katie said...

in my mind I'm going... to the bowl to hear sweet baby James...

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