YouTube

One Man Band - James Taylor
(with @larry goldings, piano, keys)

Live at Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield, MA, 2007

The full show available Thanksgiving weekend only

PREMIERE:
7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT / 1:30am CET
WEDNESDAY, November 23
youtube.com/JamesTaylor

SET LIST:
00:03:24 Something In The Way She Moves
00:08:36 Never Die Young
00:16:36 The Frozen Man
00:23:30 Mean Old Man
00:27:55 School Song
00:29:10 Country Road
00:34:10 Slap Leather
00:39:03 My Traveling Star
00:46:56 You’ve Got A Friend
00:54:01 Steamroller Blues
01:00:40 Secret O’ Life
01:12:11 Line ‘Em Up
01:17:36 You’ve Got A Friend - Reprise
01:19:03 Chili Dog
01:21:02 Shower The People
01:29:20 Sweet Baby James
01:37:26 Carolina In My Mind
01:43:25 Fire And Rain
01:48:47 Copperline
01:55:53 You Can Close Your Eyes

CD/DVD liner note from James – One Man Band (2007):

“It’s a strange reality of the modern popular song that the first time it’s played is when it’s recorded. Sometimes a song will be finished for deadline in the studio the day the thing is cast in stone forever. I know that songs and arrangements evolve and develop over time; that somewhere around the twentieth time it’s played for a live audience, a song finally completes itself. That, among other things, is what makes a good live recording unique. I’ve often thought that live performance means being well prepared and then waiting for the inevitable, unexpected thing to happen. We come onstage, well rehearsed and in good shape, and repeat what we have done before as best we can. But the real goal is to be in the present moment and on the surface of ourselves; open and trusting. Nobody wants to be perfect: that’s frozen, dead…It’s “be here now”, I guess…

Of course, Larry Goldings does more than just accompany me. His growing presence in the world of jazz is well acknowledged, both for his own recordings and live performances and as a member of a good number of team efforts. I tend to form musical (and personal) relationships with other players and then stick with them for years. @Arnold McCuller and David Lasley have worked with me since the mid-‘70s and others nearly as long (Jimmy Johnson, Steve Gadd, Mike Landau, Kate Markowitz, Valerie Carter…)

After my great friend, producer and pianist Don Grolnick died in ’96, I performed with a number of excellent keyboard players. It was during the recording of my October Road album in ’02 that I worked with Larry. Russ Titelman had booked him to play on “Mean Old Man” along with Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Johnson on bass, Clifford Carter on synth, and the fine seven-string jazz guitarist, @John Pizzarelli. This was an incredible band, and after hearing Larry Goldings’ solo on that song, first time through, he pinned it. That was our introduction and he’s been my first call ever since.

Then there’s the bus factor. You see, someone’s playing may be great, but what’s it going to be like spending 10 hours a day riding to the next gig with them for a couple of months? Larry’s Bus Factor is not a factor for he is a bus riding fool, for a fact.

Part of his talent is his ability to “split his hands.” Though not as painful as it sounds, it does require great focus and skill to play a melody/accompaniment with his right hand and, with his left hand, (often on another keyboard) play a distinct bass pattern. This Larry can do with effortless grace, and he has made this One Man Band show possible. He is a committed father, brother, and son, and I am in his debt. Larry Goldings is my One Man Band.” – James Taylor