A Guest Review of James Taylor and Carole King @ Verizon June 8, 2010

Jim Schwartz here, cross-pollinating the Weis Man blogosphere.

You see, last Tuesday night, long before we knew the sports significance of the evening, LP and I, and some of our other friends, bought tickets for the JT/Carole King concert at Verizon Center.

OMG -- first of all, I hope I LOOK as good as either of them when I am their age (for the record, that is 62 for Mr. Taylor, and 68[!] for Carole King). Second -- I hope I have their energy tomorrow! They were as fresh after more than 2 1/2 hours as they were when they came flying out of box to start the show.

But most of all -- they are two consumate entertainers, who still both have their full singing and playing chops. Yes, Carole was a little raspy through the encores (yes, that IS plural!), but, as was always the case, that just made her sound even better, and she knew EXACTLY how to use it!

The biggest complaint one could have with such a concert, frankly, is that it ended! Although, honestly, even THAT was professionally handled -- I heard more than a few of the younger folks (30 and 40 somethings) around us losing it after each song drove toward the crescendo and denouement of the second set -- the audience was more emotionally wiped out even more than the consummate pros on the stage were. After the last encore, as much as we all wanted more, we also knew all the cues, knew that it had ended where it should have, and started quietly heading for the exits. So, yes, there was no "Tapestry" on this night (although I think they got to every OTHER track from this seminal album!). No "Wonderful World." I am sure everyone in the capacity crowd had at least one favorite that they hadn't heard -- but when the combined portfolio is as deep and amazing as these two brought to the revolving stage, it is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get everything in!

And the re-union wasn't just of the two lead performers. They were backed, as they always were, by the same trio of incredible musicians -- Danny Korchmar, who introduced them back in 1970 [!], on electric guitar; the incomparable Leland Sklar on bass (with white beard even longer, if that is possible); and, holding down the drum set, Russ Kunkel. Even Arnold McCuller was on hand to lead the background vocalists, which sadly and surprisingly, consisted of NO relatives of either lead!

Even the newcomers added incredible talent and depth, and the roadies moved remarkably smoothly through the challenges of a revolving set that never stopped moving. For that matter, neither did the energy or the music!

It is hard to find highlights without listing EVERY song they did, but a few moments do stand taller. I had forgotten just how beautiful King's ballad "Canaan" is, or how her version of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" is so emotionally powerful; never fully realized how kick-ass either of them could get -- Taylor on "Your Smiling Face" especially, King on several numbers, including "Natural Woman" which, on this night, at least, became the anthem for just how much the world has changed in relation to gender roles and identity in 40 years.

But when they got to the OTHER of the two songs each had recorded separately -- "Up On the Roof," we were all treated to a "compare and contrast" arrangement that truly put the remarkable talents of each in focus. It began with King taking the first verse, in ballad form, on the grand piano, and the two of them combining on the chorus. But, when Taylor took up for verse 2, the keyboard went to the back burner, and Taylor's guitar arrangement brought a rock sensibility and energy from a totally different direction, just as it did when originally recorded on the "Flag" LP. And back and forth it went throughout the song -- the differences highlighting each performer's unique style and virtuosity in a way that neither individual version could have. A magnificent arrangement showcasing them both!

I was prepared to experience a sense of history and nostalgia, with a bit of wistfulness that this might (is likely to?) be the last chance I would have to see these two amazing performers together. What I got instead was an remarkable night of powerful rock and roll and popular music that doesn't have to be modified by references to the performers' ages, or anything else -- they held their own with ANYONE on this night!

All in all, even though it meant I was restricted to watching Strasburg's debut 2 innings on a television screen over dinner at Clyde's (and missed the more spectacular ending), there is no doubt in my mind I had the hotter ticket in DC on this night! And for those of you who saw me dragging on Wednesday -- it was worth getting home after midnight!