Monday, July 27, 2026

319 -- James Taylor -- Thursday, August 25, 2025 -- Wolf Trap -- Vienna, VA

--- “Wandering”: love how the title and lyrics fit my musical journey. I move through and experience all genres!

--- “Walking Man”: “kind of about the changing of seasons and some s---.” Lol at the unexpected profanity. Interesting overlap with “You’ve Got A Friend” from a later album, down to the video backdrop of falling leaves for autumn. It’s so unusual for me to be at a concert where every song is smooth!! 

--- Hahahah at people tittering at some random guitar change: “You people are easily entertained. You need to get out more.” 

--- “It’s a Lovely Stretch of the Highway”: it’s from our most recent album, which is not very recent — almost ten years ago. HA! Woo for the road trip pictures. Maybe it seems clipart-y, but it really adds to it!! Cool little clicking sound from a small drum adds to it.

--- Wooo for the variety of ages,  instruments, genders, and races. Perfect intro to “Mexico”!!! Hope Danny and Senora Gela know it. 

--- Heh, that last one wasn’t really a traveling song, more of a destination song. This one’s back to the theme: “My Traveling Star.” The lyric video in the backdrop makes me connect!! Points for the violin as well.

--- “Changing to an extra identical guitar. It’s a union thing.” Ha!

--- Hahahah at “yes, we’ll get to ‘Streamroller’ — later, about halfway through.” He goes on to show the actual setlist lol!! “That may not seem very spontaneous. It's okay; it ends up better.”

--- “Carolina in My Mind”!!!! It goes to another LEVEL when you know the song. I’m awash in ease. I involuntarily stand up to applaud, as does half the rest of the crowd. SO ORGANIC. 

--- “Only a Dream in Rio”: He tells this gripping story of his biggest concert ever, a 300,000-person crowd at Rockin’ Rio, the day after Brazil finally rod themselves of a dictator wielding a military junta, which the United States supported. “Not that we would ever do that now.” Ha/woo!!!

--- “Up on the Roof”: “This is a song by Carole King… No Kings” (yes!!!!). Not the one you’re thinking of. That’ll come later.” 

--- “God Have Mercy on the Frozen Man”: cool piano.

--- “You’ve Got A Friend”!!!!! Profoundly emotional. Hahaha at “you write a song, and it becomes I’m Going To Play This Every Night For The Rest Of Your Life. At least it’s not “Monster Mash.” Whoa, Carole King wrote the song inspired by a line in ‘Fire and Rain’! I record the entire video — something I can’t remember doing before. The wedding, Wonder Years, and Brody/Riley connections demand it. Yesss at the vast vocal changes throughout. THIS DAMN SHOW.

--- Wooo for the message and son solo in “Shed A Little Light.”

--- Aww at the submitted fan video gallery during “Shower The People.” The sheer whiteness of the submissions and audience is awkward, but it is what it is.

--- Yessir at the black gospel guy. 

--- Yay, electric!! Heh, NOW “Steamroller.”

--- Ooh at the trumpet and ~Roy Bittan keyboard. Hahahah at his R+B squeal and scat at the end.

--- Heee at the inclusion of a sax, Wolf Trap, and everyone for “How Sweet It Is.”

--- Awww at the guy next to me: “If you strike it rich, you can have him play at your anniversary”!!!

--- “You Can Close Your Eyes”: subdued, well done.

Grade: A+


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