Live review: James Taylor and Carole King at the Hollywood Bowl

James Taylor and Carole King made no effort to disguise their ages Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl, where the two sixtysomething singers played the first of three dates on their Troubadour Reunion trek. 

The world tour — which stops Tuesday at the Santa Barbara Bowl and wraps July 20 at the Honda Center in Anaheim — comes 40 years after Taylor and King first performed together at the cozy West Hollywood club that gives the road show its name; a live CD-DVD, recorded at the Troubadour in 2007, debuted earlier this week at No. 4 on Billboard’s album-sales chart.

“We tried to reconstruct what was on those Troubadour set lists,” Taylor said with a laugh not long into the 2 ½-hour concert. “But it’s hard to remember.” Earlier he’d introduced guitarist Danny Kortchmar, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russell Kunkel as “the original band Carole and I worked with back in 1903.”
You had to admire Taylor’s honesty regarding his role as pop’s folkie emeritus. But it was King who summed up the evening’s performance more accurately in a line from her 1971 hit “So Far Away”: “One more song about moving along the highway / Can’t say much of anything that’s new.”

Despite the warm reception by a capacity crowd content to stoke the fires of nostalgia, Thursday’s show offered depressingly little of value to anyone not predetermined to relive good times gone by. This wasn’t music that said anything interesting about aging, as recent work by Merle Haggard, Susan Boyle and the English singer Tracey Thorn has.

But neither was it music that defied age with Madonna-like verve: When King sang “The Loco-Motion,” which she penned with Gerry Goffin during their early-’60s stint as Brill Building songwriters, the result replaced youthful excitement with wedding-band schmaltz. So, too, did a corny rendition of “I Feel the Earth Move,” King’s first solo hit, feel like a betrayal of the tune’s gutsy thrust.

That said, King managed at least to summon some energy during her songs; most of Taylor’s selections sounded like lullabies, even though he only presented one, “Sweet Baby James,” as such. Not surprisingly, given the breadth of both artists’ catalogs, there were exceptions: Taylor’s “Copperline” was a lovely acoustic reverie, while Sklar and Kunkel gave King’s “It’s Too Late” a lithe soft-funk groove. Taking the stage on their own for a second encore, the two headliners harmonized with undimmed affection in “You Can Close Your Eyes.”

In a show built on memories, though, newly memorable moments—such as backup vocalist Arnold McCuller’s thrilling solo during an otherwise dreary “Shower the People”—were few and far between. King and Taylor didn’t disappoint Thursday because they’re too old to make a fresh impact on listeners. They disappointed because they seemed so uninterested in trying.

-- Mikael Wood

Photo: Carole King and James Taylor at the Hollywood Bowl. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[mrchambo]

Mikael seems uninterested in writing a thoughtful, or even accurate review of the evening.

I was fully expecting the type of show he scribes about - a bit "old", uninspiring - perhaps a yawn or two. I was beyond pleased to be wrong in this prediction. Yes, there were lullaby moments - my goodness, anyone going to this show not expecting a few didn't know who they were going to see in the first place - but the overall energy, flow and musical range was lively and engaging. The buzz in my section and in the lots on the exit out appeared in line with my own experience as well.

I was rather reluctant and hesitant, but in the end this was a ticket that delivered well beyond its price.

And if you are lucky - as we were last night - you may even catch a shooting star during Sweet Baby James - memorable indeed.

[Mark]

If ever a reviewer missed the point, this would be the one. The tour is the Troubador Tour flashing back to the 1970's and the music of that time by two of the best singer/songwriters of all time. Identifying new songs about "aging" as a missing part of this concert is ridiculous. I suspect that the reviewer is most probably in the mid twenties with an experience background to match that age. The concert was everything that I was looking for and brought forward many thoughts and feelings from long ago. They both sounded great and it was also great to see they "put the band back together". Great concert.

[Eric in Winnetka]

"[They] didn’t disappoint Thursday because they’re too old to make a fresh impact on listeners. They disappointed because they seemed so uninterested in trying. "

Interesting comment by the reviewer.

Reason why I find it interesting because I had the "pleasure" to watch JT perform at the Indiana University Auditorium long back when I was an undergrad.. circa 1979. Over 30yrs ago and me and my pals all thought JT was merely phoning in the performance. We all lamented that we could have watched the IU basketball game instead of being put to sleep by JT's lack of energy/enthusiasm.

So.. dont think its JT's age per se.. he just is NOT an energetic performer.

[Bob]

Dude, they're in their 60's. That they didn't rock your world is the primary observation of your review. As a reviewer you need to at some point allow the possibility of nuance into your realm of experience. That the show did not capture an expectation that, at face value, is somewhat ill conceived doesn't speak well of your career choice. I know that asking you to dig a little deeper may smack of effort, but endaevor to give it a shot.

[mark shapiro]

HOW OLD is the writer for what does age have to do with anything,,,neither artist he attacks played hard rock then or now and so what,,,they are accomplished artists of which the writer spends more time talking of their age then their craft...again, how old is the writer?

[Dori]

Ohh Mr Wood you are way off base.
JT's voice-pure delight.
CK- what a pleasure to see that woman enjoy her music the way she did!
Read the review in the OC register for a more accurate view of the evening

[fbb]

Wow, Mikael, while I respect the freedom to have differing opinions, I cannot believe you and I were at the same concert. From my perspective, I got more than I bargained for from the evening and I think from the sound and the vibe of the audience around me, they agreed. While I concur about Carole's performance of Locomotion, I felt the two artists were at their prime (so to speak) with the rest of the set list and seemingly enjoyed every moment of being back on stage in Hollywood. Their incredible talent as well as their long time camaraderie took center stage and blew me, and those around me, away. It was a spectacular concert and I consider myself lucky to have participated.

[Mark Heiden]

Idiot.

[john quinn]

I feel you simply do not attend a JAMES TAYLOR ,/CAROLE KING concert and expect anything other than what they are the worlds best at providing...wonderful memories delivered in song and pretty much in the same manner they were orginally presentd....It is what people want ,indeed what they are searching for .....a reminder of a better time , a time of great expectation ,a more innocent free time .. for many james and carole represent through there music this . To expect anything else ,would only serve to indicate that they too have been dragged into this superficial world we are all living in.

[Jay Adler]

I saw JT in 1971 at Madison Square Garden and I tried out on the violin for Carole King's High School, Music and Art in New York. I was the flunky, she went on to greatness. Actually, I remember the times at the old Brill Building where Carole and her husband, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond would go to work and write 45big hole vinyl hits a mile a minute. DOB 1951 I am close to them and consider myself in tune and successful. You have to put things in the proper line of reasoning, when you go to this tour, you are not going to see the Sweet Baby James that sat in with the Beatles on Apple Record sessions in 1968. The Flying Machine has long since lost a few rpm. Like wise, Carole King evidently is not going to give us another perfect album, Tapestry, something we do not see in this cherry picking Ipod society. At any rate, I would rather see these two than the kids and amateurs we dog and pony show today. Carole and JT have it in the genes.

[joel]

Are you kidding me? This was a wonderful concert. Yes - lots of nostalgia, old songs - THAT WAS THE POINT ! - to recapture a moment in time (1970, at the Troubador, to be exact). Both Ms. King and Mr. Taylor's voices and musicianship have remained young. I suspect James is probably in better musical shape then he ever was back in the 60,s and 70,s, when he was struggling with emotional and drug problems. The backup musicians and vocalists were great. It was clear Taylor and King have a great deal of respect and affection for each other, not to mention respect for the audience (even the Turkey who yelled "Freebird" and "Stairway to Heaven"). I found both headliners to be warm, engaging performers . Lack of energy ?? They both played long and hard, danced the Locomotion, came back for several encores, and kept the fadingbabyboomer audience on its feet. I even noticed a group of 20 somethings near me who clearly were grooving to the music.

Puhleeze - find a reviewer who can accurately reflect reality.

[Laura Stegman]

Too bad this reviewer was viewing the show from an alternate universe perspective. I thought it was an incredibly magical evening.

[Jerry]

This was a fantastic concert. The music was strong, tight, and clean, the backup band was great, and the crowd loved it.

The critic would presumably criticize Beethoven for being old. Apparently he hasn't heard that good music, really good music, is timeless. The fact that a song is 30-40 years old, and that the performer doesn't impress with personal dynamics, should have no relevance at all to the quality of the piece.

Sometimes when you think too much about something, you lose the ability to just enjoy it.

[Denise Robb]

It wasn't until this concert that I remembered I actually enjoy music. I haven't had this good a time at a concert in ten years. I was swept away to the point where I almost forgot where I was. This crazy review doesn't even mention the most miraculous fact of all: James Taylor's voice hasn't changed a bit since he was a young man. If you've heard the raspy smoke damaged voice of Joni Mitchell or struggled through an evening of Robert Plant slowly ascending the stairway to heaven then you know how miraculous bordering on unbelievable it is to hear James Taylor beautifully playing and singing with the same clarity, tone and passion as he did in the 1970s. He was also extremely funny and personable. Carole is the wildest 68 year old woman I've ever seen on stage, plowing through over 2 1/2 hours of hit after hit, sounding almost the same as she did 30 years ago and not even blinking at the idea of two encores that went on for more than 30 minutes. I'm not sure what it would take to impress this reviewer, but the editors should relegate him to only Jonas Brothers' concerts as punishment.

[Anne]

Clearly this is a novice critic who suffers from the wrongheaded belief that he must make snarky and untrue commentary because it is "cool" to be aloof and sneer and denigrate talent he will never possess. He must have sen a completely different show than the thousands of other audience members experienced. Both evenings were rich with timeless music , droll humor and the generosity of the performers who provided the grateful crowd a wonderful journey and, yes, some tender nostalgia and songs that are forever woven into our lives. King and Taylor's performance will resonate and provide great memories , while Woods' sophomoric and downright mean comments will ensure that he has no future as a critic, as his writing is ham-handed and lacks any nuance or knowledge of his subjects. Next time, L.A: Times, send a grown-up, not an intern

[lfcc]

You review music? Interesting that this is the first negative review from this tour. All the others are raves. Next time go review Ke$sha and maybe the show will be more entertaining for you. There are so many auto-tuned, studio manufactured talents out there today that I am sure you will find more exciting.

[Susan Lord]

Just came from the Friday night concert, if the reviewer has walked around and listened to the audience response he would have heard what I heard, WOW! What energy! Didn't they look like they were have a ton of fun! How old is Carol King? I never saw a grandma have that much energy to play and dance and sing for 2 1/2 hours!

What a great show. And James Taylor was right when he said they could play for 6 hours and not get through the enormous catalog of hits these two have. An audience member yelled Do it! Do it! James said we would get tired of them. But I doubt it, I could have sat there all night listening to these amazing entertainers.

[Robert]

Just picked up the Times anticipating a review fitting the moment, and read this hatchet job. So lacking in any understanding of the event, the living legends who performed, or the audience who loved the show. How did this get to print? And who is Mikael? I doubt Robert Hilburn would have found this show lacking. Ah, the times have changed. And so has the Times.

[Michael Daugherty]

Stoke the fires of nostalgia? "...depressingly little of value to anyone not predetermined to relive good times gone by? Come on Mikael, this was a reunion of an event that happened 40 years ago. You miss the point. This was not meant to be a breakthough in the music scene. Don't be so condescending to the boomers having a night out...

[Leland Sklar]

What a disappointment to see this qualified as a 'review'. The only review that counts is when you have tens of thousands of people during the course of tour ENJOYING themselves. I just do not understand, we'll actually I do, why reviewers seem to have to dump on things trying to make themselves feel hipper than everyone else. This was one of the most useless piece of crap review I think I have ever read and almost makes wish Hilburn was back. Why not go and find a career in something you may be qualified for...Hmmm! Not sure what that might be! Thanks to a wonderful crowd that made us once again love playing LA.

[Steve S.]

If the purpose of Mr. Wood's review was to garner comments so he could show his editor how relevant he is, then he succeeded. But as an accurate live music reviewer, he has failed miserably. If the reader has already read his review, too bad you had to waste your time

Next time, Mr. Wood should try reading up on the entertainers he's going to review, and make the effort to find out what the theme of the concert is.

This concert was billed as a Troubador Reunion, and promised an evening full of memories. It delivered that and more: a truly magical night of beautiful music that most in the audience wished could go on much longer. If Mr. Wood is looking for new material, he should try reviewing someone else who will most likely fade into irrelevance within a year. Otherwise, don't bother.

As Dori already stated, if you want to read an accurate review, go read the OC Register.

[Lisa G]

Dear Mikael Wood -
I was in the audience. I am 35 years old. I was super familiar with Carole King or James Taylor's music, other than what I heard in the background growing up. All that being said, I LOVED THE CONCERT. I found Carole and James to be loaded with "interest", enthusiasm, passion, and love. Lastly Mr. Wood - you are an idiot.

[Claudia]

For Mr. Wood to state that Carole King and James Taylor brought nothing new to their concert, and that the event was really just "one more song about moving along the highway," speaks to an inability to discern just what was new about the evening. In an age where more concerts than not (a notable exception being Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) smack of pyrotechnics, Avatar-esque special visual effects, and artists seemingly more interested in their image than their audience, the Carole King / James Taylor concert absolutely glowed. The newness, Mr. Wood, is the absolute joy both artists brought to the evening and to their audience; the utter passion for their craft; and the fact that with really the most basic of sets and the absence of superficiality, smoke, and mirrors they managed to bring that same joy to a sold-out audience, leaving fans feeling that they had shared an incredibly special and rare evening. Fame is fleeting; legends endure.

[Jeff Farnum]

Wow!

Sending this guy to review JT/CK "Troubadour REUNION Tour" is like sending Jesse James (of Sandra Bullock fame) to review the Concours d'Elegance because he works on cars.

Perhaps Taylor and King should have broken out the hip-hop versions of their hits to make "a fresh impact on listeners."

Instead, it was pure music, played by the people who created a refuge from the late 60's, early 70's social and political upheaval for those who embraced a soundtrack of thoughfulness and personal introspection.

Not at all bad.

[Myles]

So wrong on so many levels. Great show and they gave what everybody was there for, and the obvious affection between the two on stage was wonderful to see. No dancers. No cirque du soleil performers dangling from the ceiling. Just great music, splendidly performed. I'm 51 and it's not a requirement of mine that every piece of art I encounter be a commentary on aging, as the reviewer clearly thinks is required of anybody over... I dunno... 30? Go to this show, and leave feeling great. Only disappointment? With their amazing catalogues they could have gone on all night, but we were sent home.