Just on the heels of a new greatest hits CD (as well one of songbook standards), a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, and an exclusive to PBS special, “Moonlight Serenade on the Queen Mary 2,” you would think that the tales of her crippling stage fright and surviving cancer were just mere clouds in your coffee. With tour support from her family, Ben and Sally Taylor, it was a family gathering of Iconic proportions that had her two children performing some of her songs as well. Sally and Ben opened the show with a couple of duets and then Sally’s band took the stage. Most notably in her abbreviated set was the song, “Tomboy Bride” and her mother’s classic song, “Boys in the trees” which she performed with an almost angelic tone.
Then it was Ben’s turn, also touring independently in support of his new release “Another run around the sun.” Ben’s set was a little rushed due to the extensive catalog that his mother was going to perform that evening so highlights of his set were the comical “Boyfriend,” and a most profound version of his mothers classic, “That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be.”
Though not guided into the music business like their Mother and Father (James Taylor) were it was apparent that both siblings had inherited their parent’s musical gifts. If you get a chance to see these two siblings upon the road, please do yourself a favor and do.
On to the main event, Carly! Lounging on a chez she opened up the show with the throaty songbook standard “The More I See You.” In the midst of the 90 minute set she managed to include songs from her 16 studio releases in addition to her 5 songbook standards releases.
Simon’s songs chronicle the life cycle of a woman in an almost fearless disregard of telling intimate details of her life. She performed hits like, “Anticipation,” “Haven’t got time for the Pain,” “(We have) No Secrets,” “Coming Around Again,” “Jesse,” and a swaggering version of “You’re So Vain."
Earlier in the show an audience member requested loudly to whom the song (“Vain”) is really about. Her reply was, “If I hear a genuine name I will answer the question,” To which other members of the audience shouted out every possible answer and her response was, “Your right.”
Intimately she would crack up in between songs by observing the antics of her children, who had returned to the stage as back up singers. Another family member made a special appearance at this show. She announced that it was her pleasure to introduce a wonderful song writer that she’s known for over 40 years, Livingston Taylor (James Taylor’s Brother). He treated the audience with the inspirational, “Never Lose Hope.”
Simon then returned to the stage and closed with a rocking version of “Mocking Bird” in a vocal duet with her son Ben. After a brief pause she performed the elegant, “Nobody Does It Better,” proving for everyone present there that no one does.
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Written by Guest on 2008-06-10 15:15:47
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