As the clock approaches midnight in Australia, James Taylor appears on the screen looking relaxed in a t-shirt and his signature baseball cap. Currently on tour in the country for the first time in seven years, he is eager to answer questions, but not about his music career, hit songs, or upcoming U.S. tour. Instead, the immediate focus is on koalas.
A recent photo posted on his Instagram page showed the soft-spoken Taylor affectionately holding a native marsupial, and it was clear that he was captivated by the experience. According to Taylor, these animals exude a peaceful energy and are delightful creatures that have a simple diet of just one plant. This simplicity resonates with Taylor, whose music is known for its calming effect, including hits like “Fire and Rain,” “Your Smiling Face,” and “How Sweet It Is.” Despite his upcoming summer tour with his All-Star Band in America, Taylor took a moment to chat about the joy of touring, the music that brings him comfort, and the creative process behind his next album. The tour will kick off on May 29 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, making stops in cities like Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Lenox, Massachusetts, before culminating in special 50th-anniversary performances at Tanglewood on July 3-4.
When “American Standard” was released in 2020, you made history as the first artist to achieve a Top 10 album in every decade for the last six decades and also won your sixth Grammy. Do these accomplishments still surprise you at this point in your career? Yeah, it’s like a journey that just keeps going. I always feel like I’m still learning how to make music, tour, and navigate this lifestyle. It’s interesting how consistent things have been. When something works, you tend to stick with it. My growth has been gradual and steady. On “American Standard,” you reimagined songs from the American standards repertoire. Are there other music eras you would like to explore? I keep a collection of musical notes and ideas that I revisit when I enter a creative phase. I feel it’s time for one of those sessions. I believe there are more songs waiting to be discovered. In the past, musicians like me would compose 10 or 12 songs for an album, but nowadays, creating five or six songs is also a valid approach. It’s amusing how the music industry has evolved; it used to be hard to secure a record deal to build a career, but now accessibility isn’t the issue – it’s standing out in the crowd once you’re in.
I believe most people would agree that they find solace in your music. So, what music or artists do you turn to for comfort? Personally, Brazilian music still brings me the most comfort. I have a deep love for choral music, and ever since meeting my wife Kim, I have been reintroduced to classical music which has been a wonderful experience. Despite that, I still hold on dearly to my old favorites like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Ry Cooder, and Bonnie Raitt. I also have a strong passion for salsa music, particularly artists like Eddie Palmieri and the Cuban legend Arsenio Rodríguez. I always stay connected with the musicians who have influenced me. Recently, I stumbled upon an amazing record by The Coasters titled “Shopping for Clothes” which has been on repeat for me. With an upcoming tour, do you need to mentally prepare yourself to hit the road, or is touring just second nature to you? I think it’s a bit of both. Touring feels like second nature to me, almost like a gravitational pull that I can’t resist. As the tour dates near, there is a level of anxiety that sets in, and I have to mentally and physically prepare myself. I typically spend about a month prior to the tour working on my voice and getting back into playing guitar daily to ensure my skills are sharp. We also start brainstorming ideas for the setlist and consider how we might want to change things up from the last time we played in each city.
