Multiple Grammy Award winning, as well as Rock and Roll and prestigious Songwriters Halls of Fame inductee, James Taylor, is one of the greatest songwriters and performers of all time, known for timeless classics such as 'You’ve Got a Friend', 'Carolina in My Mind' and more, and last Thursday he played his first UK show since 2022 at London's The O2.

I always think that James languid style suits smaller venues, though now in his late 70s the need to play less shows to bigger audiences is probably a necessity nowadays. The sound from near the mixing desk was surprisingly good, but how it was in the higher echelons of the auditorium I can only guess.

A selection of hits dating back to the sixties makes for easy listening and a band verging on orchestral stretched across the stage along with some excellent backing singers. It is all ultra professional but doesn’t lack charm or indeed charisma - as James invited the audience in, with stories and light jokes to stitch the show together.

The favourites, lots of which are present on his excellent live album, rest beautifully amongst more recent songs, and it was effortless throughout. No signs of slowing down and no signs of that great voice diminishing - just don’t leave it four years next time before returning; as even in behemoth arenas we need our dose of JT.

Review and photos: Les Linyard

Setlist:

Set 1

‘Whenever You’re Ready’
‘Rainy Day Man’
‘T-Bone’
‘Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’
‘Mexico’
‘Line ‘Em Up’
‘Millworker’
‘Shower the People’
‘Handy Man’
‘Steamroller’

Set 2

‘Everyday’
‘Copperline’
‘Jerusalem / You’ve Got a Friend’
‘Up on the Roof’
‘Sweet Baby James’
‘Carolina in My Mind’
‘Fire and Rain’
‘Your Smiling Face’

Encore

‘Shed a Little Light’
‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)’
‘You Can Close Your Eyes’