Legendary James Taylor Rocks Out In The Rain; Delights Drenched Crowd

It seems the rain is just going to be a thing, this concert season. But most people have learned to come prepared and not let it ruin their experience.

Tuesday night's James Taylor concert was no exception.

Folks started to make their way into the Maine Savings Amphitheater just after 6 PM. It was misty, but the rain held off for a bit, as those in line filtered through security.

And just about 7:30 PM, when James Taylor and his All-Star Band were scheduled to start their set, the rain started to pour down.

For a brief time, it went from light drizzle to a bit of a heavier downpour, and then it let up a little.

Most folks came prepared with ponchos, hats, and rain gear.

Those who didn't, huddled under what sparse spots of cover the Maine Savings Amphitheater has to offer.

James and his band, comprised of KATE MARKOWITZ , DORIAN HOLLEY,  and HENRY TAYLOR  (Jame's Taylor's son) on vocals...

...vocalist and fiddle player ANDREA ZONN, LARRY GOLDINGS on the piano, LOU MARINI, and WALT FOWLER on horns and the keyboard...

...MICHAEL LANDAU on guitar, JIMMY JOHNSON on the bass...

and percussionists and drummers, LUIS CONTE, MICHITO SANCHEZ and STEVE GADD, took to the stage around 8 PM.

The 75-year-old, 6-time Grammy Award winner didn't let the rain slow him down a beat, kicking his first set off with "Something In The Way She Moves"

Taylor stopped between each song, telling tales of how the legendary tunes were created or sharing memories with a drenched but delighted crowd.

Taylor made light of the rain, several times as he went through his first set, and joked that the rain-themed songs weren't supposed to pop up till the end of the second set, as he even lifted the chalked-out setlist to show them.

Following "Something", Taylor and the band did flawless versions of "Rainy Day Man", "Copperline", and "Everybody Has The Blues."

Then he stopped down to explain the story behind the song "Mona", which he wrote after his pet pig was poisoned.

The crowd, who almost seemed to forget it was raining, appeared amused.

After a cover of "Some Days You Gotta Dance", which Taylor explained he learned for an event with the Dixie Chicks while campaigning for John Kerry, and which did get a few people up and dancing, Taylor finished his first set with "Sweet Baby James", "Country Road", "Steamroller Blues", "Mexico" and a cover of Carol King's "Up On The Roof."

He broke for a brief intermission and spent time signing autographs, which is always a classy move, especially when you keep in mind just how soaked his fans were after being rained on for most of the first set.

His second set included "Secret of Life", "You Make It Easy" and another Carol King cover, "You've Got A Freind."

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Taylor then invited his son to perform a duet of "Carolina On My Mind".

He finished the second set with "Raised Up Family", "Fire and Rain"--a crowd favorite, "Shower The People" and "Your Smiling Face."

The band did a 3-song Encore of the Eddie Cochran cover "Summertime Blues", "Shed A Little Light". He invited his son back to sit with him for the final song, "You Can Close Your Eyes."

Soaked but happy, the crowd then made its way back out of the arena and home, to dry off.

Thanks, James Taylor and crew, for helping us all forget our troubles, and the rain, if even just for a little while.

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