Entertainment For Lively Minds
Should I stay or should I go?
So - James Taylor and Carole King are touring next year. I loved JT in his prime, and couldn't avoid Tapestry even tho I never owned it. But I like Carole.
And I've seen James a couple of times - in England in '74 (at a festival with Tony Joe White and Lou Reed no less!) and again in Sydney in '81 - with Bill Payne on keyboards and the usual great bunch of musicians.
So why am I resisting going this time?
On the negative side - I do kind of hate the "chain lightning" phenomenon - here we all are to worship. And they'll be so far away (unintentional joke there) at the venue that I'll need binoculars to see them. And it will cost an arm and a leg.
On the positive side - James always has a good band. I will like most of the songs.
Also, I didn't go to Stevie Wonder cos I thought it would be a showbiz kind of gig with all the best Motown hits done as a throwaway medley. Friends that went said it was fantastic. On the other hand I didn't go to Simon and Garfunkel for many of the reasons outlined above for JT and Carole, and reports were it wasn't worth it.
Any similar dilemmas?
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James Taylor is always good
Last time I saw was one of the best ever. He'd taken to touring with what can only be described as a slide show of old family photos, pictures from his past and visuals that inspired his songs. He was wonderful.
bargepole attended
that very tour and it was indeed excellent. Go for it you may never get the chance again, is the Bargepolian philosophy!
There is an underused rockular saying...
'He who displays his balding pate is almost certainly going to be great.'
Simon & Garfunkel
I went to the 'Old Friends' tour a few years back. I went to Hyde Park, the FPO,two friends and myself all really enjoyed it. It may not have been as good as they were in their prime so to speak but it's not as if they used to throw themselves around the stage back then anyway. Their voices were still fantastic together. Surprised to hear that they weren't up to scratch really.
Same here
I went to Hymen and Carbuncle in Hyde Park and it was bloody magic. Ok I was in the seated circle rather than standing in the field, they barely looked at each other but the sound they made warmed the heart on a blustery summer evening
And with a support slot from the Everly Brothers - well it would have been rude not to go really.
Not a massive fan of JT but I've never seen CK n always wanted to so might throw in for this tour
Agree with Bargepole
They may never tour here again, so go and see ageing legends while you still can. You may not get the chance again.
Ageing leg ends...
I went to see Dylan a couple of years ago guided by that philosophy - oh dear! Mind you I also went to see Buena Vista Social Club thinking it might be my only chance - it turned out it was & they were magnificent...
Carole King was superb on Later....
earlier in the year. The voice was still there and given the rarity value of Carole King live, let alone in the UK, one well worth saving the pennies for.
Ticket prices
I'd wait and see what they are charging.
I think they'll be into three figures in which case we'll be saying "thanks but no thanks".
To answer the original question...
If you go, there will be trouble.
But if you stay, it will be double.
So, on balance, I suggest you go.
I, in the meantime, shall get my coat.
(but go on, you were all thinking it!)
I saw them at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester.
I think it was 1974. Here's the programme.
Danny Kootch was in Jo Mama.
They were all very, very good. 35 years later, they will have had a lot of practice so are likely to be even better.
I'd go if I were you!
thanks everyone
I think it's decided - if I don't go I'll regret it!