Search - A MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Honoring James Taylor on DVD

Some outstanding performances, an apt tribute to a great man

Daniel Z. | Indonesia | 09/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tribute concerts and tribute albums are not just celebrations of a particular artist's music, but also a chance to witness how other artists approach the challenge of honoring someone else: Some churn out run-of the-mill covers that shed little new light on the original artist or track. Others grab the bull by both horns, get under the skin of the song, re-shape it and re-interpret it in their own image and sound, producing something exciting and entirely new. This, of course, is the true 'tribute'.

This Musicares James Taylor concert DVD contains equal examples of both; Luckily, the more original and creative performances more than make up for the lackluster ones. Towering above all others and almost justifying the price of this DVD on its own, is Bruce Springsteen's rendition of Taylor's early-80s "Millworker". The Boss nonchalantly takes the stage, mumbles a few unremarkable words about Taylor's background and about how their paths have crossed a few times, then, in the dim light, begins strumming his guitar. What follows is not just one of the most evocative, powerful and original re-interpretations of a song that I have ever witnessed, but an example of how deeply a true artist can reach into another's song in the process of making it their own. Here, "Millworker" becomes so signature Springsteen and so achingly raw that viewers could be forgiven for thinking it was never a JT song in the first place. Springsteen appears nearly hypnotized by the lyrics and overwhelmed by feeling; he adds layer after layer to this piece, from the clean and crisp acoustic guitar strumming to his unrelenting trademark harmonica notes that seem to haunt more with every angry blow. It is perhaps the one moment in the entire evening where the usually-giant JT suddenly seems like a humbled lightweight.

While nobody else at this concert competes with that Springsteen moment, a number of artists deliver some wonderful performances too. Bonnie Rait confidently weaves "Rainy Day Man" into her own sound, with her usual gorgeous vocals and a subtle, entirely appropriate country tinge. India.Arie delivers a hauntingly beautiful rendition of one of JT's most beautiful songs ever, "Secret O' Life"; and Dr John and Taj Mahal delight with a contagious, uplifting "Everybody Has The Blues". Another strong performance is Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas's "Carolina in My Mind" (though one could argue that Krauss's honey-tinged voice alone would be enough to melt an audience on just about any song).

Other songs are less remarkable. The Dixie Chicks open the show with a competent cover of "Shower the People", though they've been doing this in concert for a number of years now and other than some sweet, soothing harmonies really don't add much to the JT original. Luckily, JT's long-time backing vocalist Arnold McCuller adds a rich, badly-needed layer when he finishes it off with his trademark deep gospel wails. Sting takes the stage in what looks set to be a raw, powerful interpretation of the lullaby-like "Close Your Eyes", but oddly never really connects: The track doesn't quite suite Sting's unique vocal character, nor does the singer give the impression that he's internalized the song at all.

Carole King's performance of "You've Got a Friend" sounds like, well, Carole King performing "You've Got a Friend" just as she did over three decades ago - safe, friendly and sweet. The song takes a powerful emotional turn, however, when JT joins her at the piano and the two musicians (who together made this song into one of the most recognizable and enduring of the 20th century) remind us how fruitful and strong their nearly 40-year friendhsip has been, despite turbulent times for both.

All in all, this is a great concert evening, and a must-have addition to any JT fan's collection. Meanwhile, I'm going to get busy re-visiting a whole lot of great Springsteen material that I must have missed over the years. The man simply stole this show."