Review: The earth waggled its hips

./KIRK HARGREAVES.THE PRESS

Carole King and James Taylor performing together at the Westpac Arena in Christchurch.

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Carole King and James Taylor, the Troubadour Reunion Tour, at Westpac Arena, Thursday, April 8. Reviewed by Vicki Anderson.

The earth didn't just move, it waggled its hips.

Carole King and James Taylor showed Christchurch fans packed into the Westpac Arena last night in no uncertain terms that theirs is a friendship to envy.

Right from the outset they set the mood - walking on stage together, waving to us with big beaming smiles before Taylor started his ``furniture removal business'', moving his faux Swedish chair and kicking the night off with Blossom. It was interesting to see performers achieve an intimate atmosphere at the big barn-like Westpac Arena. At all times it felt intimate and Taylor chatty. These are huge stars but there were no egos here.

Their set was extensive - they played for around three hours with just a 20 minute break, working tag-team and together. The crowd was eager to sing along - a man seated behind me was belting out the words to
Natural Woman almost as hard at King was.

Other song highlights included So Far Away, Your Smiling Face, Steamroller Blues, Mexico, It's Too Late, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Fire and Rain, Machine Gun Kelly, Copper Line, I Feel the Earth Move, Jazzman and You've Got A Friend which saw the pair alternate verses and embrace at the end. Moving stuff.

If you could bottle the Goffin/King songwriting formula you and your children's children would be set for life.
At 68 King is a stunningly vibrant woman, leaping about the stage and putting every ounce of herself into her vocals, blonde curls tossing back and forth.

Taylor, tall and lanky, with a gentle voice and warm smile led the crowd on a journey through his songs and life, wittily interspersing songs with stories.

His reknown lullaby Sweet Baby James, for example, was written for his nephew.

Watching these two world-class singer/songwriters and their original band, the Section - guitarist Danny ``Cooch'' Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bass guitarist Leland Sklar (hidden beneath a fabulous Bin-Laden-style beard) - proved a fitting reminder of how back in the 60s and 70s musicians had to actually be good at their craft instead of just fixing everything in the studio later as some do today.

After a four song encore they ended with Locomotion, which only served as yet another reminder of how wide their repertoire is.

I was lucky enough to meet Taylor (hug) and King (firm handshake) backstage after the gig.  Taylor said that he and his wife and twin boys, 9, had had a wonderful day here bike riding in a park and all wished they could stay longer. For her part King was missing her dog. Taylor said that it was the first show they've done on this tour where fans had stamped the floor demanding an encore. They were impressed.

Well, wandering troubadours, you've got several thousand fans here calling out your name for more. You know where we are.

- © Fairfax NZ News