From Father to Son: The Taylors Share the Stage in ‘You Can Close Your Eyes’

Everyone who’s a fan of James Taylor, raise your hands! I can almost hear the enthusiastic “Me! Me! Me!” from many of you. However, given James Taylor’s longstanding career, it’s likely some of our younger readers at Music Man might not be as familiar with him. My aim here is to provide enough context for all to appreciate the videos, so hardcore fans, please be patient with the brief overview, and for those new to Taylor, know that he’s a highly esteemed singer, songwriter, and guitarist among his musical peers.

Among Taylor’s accolades are his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, being named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France in 2012, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the US, in 2015. He’s a six-time Grammy winner and was honored as the 2006 MusiCares Person of the Year, a recognition by the Grammy organization. The caliber of artists who performed at his MusiCares event speaks volumes of Taylor’s influence, but more on that shortly. In this 2021 video, JT features alongside his son Henry:

There’s something uniquely touching about family members making music together, as seen in this performance. Watching JT’s proud and affectionate glances towards Henry as they harmonize is truly special. US Citizen comments, “The magical blend that comes when family sings together is beyond words. This performance is a resounding yes!” Huge-JT-fan The Cream expresses surprise, “I had no idea his son was also musically inclined.”

Sea Chi reflects, “The lyrics ‘And you can sing this song when I’m gone’ take on a deeper meaning now, symbolizing the passing of a legacy.” “You Can Close Your Eyes” stands out as one of Taylor’s most beloved and praised songs, originating from his third album, “Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon” (1971), and is thought to have been written for his former girlfriend, Joni Mitchell. Here’s another gem from The Voice 2020, during the pandemic:

The list of artists who covered James Taylor’s songs at the 2006 MusicCares event is stellar, including Bruce Springsteen, Carole King, Sting, and many more, showcasing the breadth of Taylor’s influence.

During their virtual appearance on The Voice, James and Henry Taylor gave a rendition of “Moon River,” a classic American song. Henry shares, “During the pandemic lockdown in Montana, there wasn’t much to do but music. Dad passed on his guitar techniques, songwriting approach, and vocal exercises.”

Post-pandemic, in September 2021, Henry joined his father on tour as a backing vocalist. Reflecting on becoming an integral part of the band, Henry says, “I’ve grown up with this band; they’re like family to me. It’s daunting yet thrilling to be part of such a talented group.”

To touch on a few more highlights, Taylor’s album “Before This World” topped the Billboard 200 in 2015, marking over 45 years since his first chart appearance. His 2020 album “American Standard” debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200, making him the first artist to have #1 albums in the US across six decades. James Taylor has four children: Sally and Ben with Carly Simon, and twins Rufus and Henry with his third wife, Caroline ‘Kim’ Smedvig.