JAMES TAYLOR / BONNIE RAITT | LIVE REVIEW
Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Tue 17 July
With a heavy heart, still reeling from that betrayal of my country (and democracy) by the liar – I mean leader – of the free world the day before, I went from witnessing the worst of the USA in Helsinki to the best here. For singer-songwriters Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor are two exemplary examples of musical Americana. Taylor introduced Raitt, his long-time friend, peer and fellow Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, and her playing and husky tones were as scorching as her flaming hair (with signature white streak). Raitt, 68, and her musicians gave us an hour of no-nonsense blues and soul-infused pop/rock that encapsulated her essence. Everything was easy but with an edge – she’d lost none of the sass or rawness that so impressed me upon hearing her on FM radio in the early 70s.
The siren of the slide guitar showed her prowess on songs including a searing Spit Of Love and did a slow burn on her version of Devil Got My Woman. Phew! Raitt got behind the organ for a soulful, sultry Nick Of Time, which she wrote “on the cusp of turning 40” with singer Arnold McCuller joining her. She finished up with two selections she’s made her own – John Prine’s Angel From Montgomery and Thing Called Love by John Hiatt. On the former, she prefaced the tune saying it was for women around the world who didn’t have the freedoms we have over here and take for granted – driving, getting an education, jobs, marrying and divorcing who we like, wearing short shirts – drawing wild agreement. Taylor walked out again, and they dueted on the latter.
The 70-year-old troubadour was accompanied by his fabulous veteran All-Star Band and screens showing videos and photo montages of his life and career. Taylor’s droll sense of humour was displayed throughout the night; his 20-song show wasn’t just the soft rock he’s known for, with tunes like Steamroller Blues (smoking piano, trumpet and guitars!) seeing him pulling faces and duck-walking. Saxophonist Lou Marini shone on a lovely rendition of Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.
The still sweet-voiced Taylor’s like a knitted cardigan you’ve had for years, comfy and cosy, and that’s dandy, but when presenting stuff like Mexico, the dad-rock mode passed into snooze time for me. All was forgiven when he brought it back down to basics and the beginning of his huge success with two cuts from his second album – Sweet Baby James, the “cowboy lullaby” Taylor wrote for his namesake nephew, and Fire And Rain, his breakout single telling of a friend’s suicide, his struggle with heroin addiction and depression that cuts right to the bone. Your Smiling Face, Shower The People and Marvin Gaye’s How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) got the crowd on their feet, and Raitt returned the favour when the multiple Grammy winners sang out the night with a moving Close Your Eyes.
Seeing Raitt and Taylor tonight restored my faith in everything that’s true and good about people and music. These seasoned storytellers showered us with love and kindness, soothed and enlightened. What an honour and pleasure.b
words RHONDA LEE REALI