The Concert
In the summer of 2001, I had the pleasure of seeing James Taylor live in concert in Kansas City. I was a little apprehensive as I hadn't seen him live since the summer of 1974 when I was in college at FSU. I didn't then and still don't, have a preference to a particular style of music, having attended Led Zeppelin, Robin Trower, Jethro Tull and Leon Russell earlier in that year. I listened to and enjoyed all types, so there was nothing special about this concert other than it was the next one that was in town. It turned out to be a great concert and he's made a few bucks off me since then at the record store. But money well spent. The Kansas City concert, almost 30 years later was just as enjoyable. His voice and mannerisms are still the same. We are both quite a bit older and I still have just a bit more hair than him, but other than that, I could have closed my eyes and been back in '74. I was saddened a bit that this may be the last time I would get to see him live in concert, so I treated it as a farewell tour of sorts.

Voilla, enter "Pull Over" his latest concert DVD filmed in Chicago, on the same "Pull Over" road tour (promoting October Road), shortly after I saw him in KC. Now, I have seen many concert DVD's. They are usually okay, with the exception of the recent Kansas concert DVD (Device, Voice, Drum) in Atlanta, which was excellent. But they usually aren't as good as a real live performance. Well, let's mark this one as an exception. Strictly from a sound and video quality point of view, this is the best concert DVD I have seen... ever. Add to that, the enjoyable story telling of J.T., his mastery of the acoustic guitar, amazing stage presence and wonderful vocals and you get much more than your moneys worth.

His performance included:
Everyday
That's Why I'm Here
Only One
Frozen Man introduction
Frozen Man
On the 4th of July
Whenever You're Ready
Raised Up Family
Luis Conte Percussion Solo
Mexico
Steamroller Blues
Carolina in My Mind
Millworker
Sun on the Moon
Junkie's Lament
Copperline
Shed a Little Light
Fire and Rain
You've Got a Friend
Your Smiling Face
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
Traffic Jam
Knock on Wood
You Can Close Your Eyes
Sweet Baby James

Jimmy Johnson, bass guitar; Bob Mann, guitar; Clifford Carter, keyboards; Russ Kunkel, drums; Luis Conte, percussion; Walt Fowler, trumpet/keyboards; Lou Marini, saxophone/horns and vocals by Valerie Carter, David Lasley, Kate Markowitz and Arnold McCuller. Barbara Rose, producer; Milton Lage, director.

Video
Crystal clear, bright, vibrant colors, free of artifacts. Perfect.

Menus
Motion with music.
Song Selection
Biography
Discography
The Making of October Road

Extras
Biography
Discography
The Making of October Road - James in the studio recording his October Road CD discusses why he plays, how he creates his songs, his preference for band recordings over the layer by layer approach. Also discussed are his thoughts on collaboration with others and touring. All this is mixed with actual footage of him recording tracks for the CD.

Final Thoughts
"Taylor's voice is better than ever," wrote the Los Angeles Times," choirboy clear, as if filtered through stained glass." Winner of over 40 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum awards, the 2001 Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocalist and Grammy's in every decade since 1971, he is amazingly at the peak of his career. Recently inducted into both the Rock and Roll, and Songwriters Halls of Fame he continues to capture the hearts of young and old alike. If you enjoy anything about the music of James Taylor, this DVD is Highly Recommended.