Livingston Taylor91裸聊视频檚 voice is as warm as the summer sun and has an outlook that says life is good.
An accomplished singing-guitar/piano-man, Taylor91裸聊视频檚 hometown of Boston declared Jan. 18, 2017 Livingston Taylor Day.
He has played on stages across the world, with other major artists such as Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Buffet and Jethro Tull, and is a full professor at Berklee College of Music where he has taught stage performance since 1989.
With 50 years of making beautiful music, Taylor is coming to Salmon Arm to perform at the 25th annual Roots and Blues Festival, which takes place this weekend.
From top-40 hits I Will be in Love With You and I91裸聊视频檒l Come Running, to I Can Dream of You and Boatman, the last two recorded by his brother James, Livingston91裸聊视频檚 creative output has continued unabated.
He is equally comfortable performing folk, pop, gospel and jazz, singing his thoughtful ballads, accompanied simply by his guitar or with full orchestral accompaniment. And other artists have seen the worth of his songs.
91裸聊视频淟inda Ronstadt had some success with a couple of my songs and there have been other artists periodically who graced me by singing some of my songs,91裸聊视频� says the modest man.
Award-winning director Tracey Anarella has teamed up with Taylor to create a documentary about the artist, his life, his career and amazing teaching at Berklee. Livingston Taylor 91裸聊视频� Life is Good is described as a unique one-off on the man who is 91裸聊视频渆qual parts Mark Twain, WC fields, college professor and musical icon.91裸聊视频�
Despite his impressive credentials, Taylor is a warm, compassionate human being, who cares about the planet and its people and making music that matters.
91裸聊视频淯ltimately, inspiration for me, comes from two places 91裸聊视频� unfailing love for my beautiful audience and an abject fear of starvation,91裸聊视频� he says, calling love and fear strong motivators. 91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频漌hen one examines oneself and looks within, you find stories and situations and ya, certainly that need for release fuels much creativity. As I get older and more comfortable, I write songs less about my angst and more about the external, things that amuse me, characters I meet.91裸聊视频�
He says that generally, his better songs begin with the creation of a melody, followed by the lyrics.
91裸聊视频淥nce I write the melody, I can wait for a nice idea,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淥ften they come together and occasionally, I write melodies to lyrics, but it91裸聊视频檚 not as successful as the other way around.91裸聊视频�
So deep is Taylor91裸聊视频檚 own knowledge of music, he might just as likely treat his audiences to a classic Gershwin number or Broadway show tune.
It is a breadth and depth of knowledge he shares with his students at Berklee. He also teaches the importance of being driven to make one91裸聊视频檚 mark and to accomplish one91裸聊视频檚 goals in the early stages of career.
91裸聊视频淎s you get older, it gets less important, goals become less important and enjoying the journey becomes more important,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淭he only cure for old age is gratitude; it is so fun to have been able to study for a lifetime, that eclectic music, to hear students play and to come to a place like Salmon Arm and get exposed to more music. It91裸聊视频檚 been a wonderful adventure.91裸聊视频�
Described as a natural storyteller, Taylor peppers his performances with personal stories and anecdotes in a warmth of style that connects him with his fans.
And Taylor is a fan of Canadian music and its relevance to the music world.
91裸聊视频淚 am continually amazed that Canadian artists seem to bring to the table a discipline and a precision that some American artists have as well, but seems particularly unique to Canada,91裸聊视频� he says, pointing to Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell. 91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a real precision surrounding their craft that seems to be a real Canadian combination of passion and discipline, and it really informs North American popular music.91裸聊视频�
While he has never met his fellow artists, Taylor will take part in 91裸聊视频淏right Side of the Road,91裸聊视频� a workshop on Saturday afternoon with Alex Cuba, Irish Mythen and Jay Gilday, from 1:20 to 2:20 p.m. at the Jack Daniel91裸聊视频檚 Barn Stage.
Immediately following that, he will head over to the CBC Blues Stage for a 3 p.m. solo concert and on Sunday evening on the Main Stage, will perform with several other artists in a special tribute to Leonard Cohen.
Another eclectic world of good-for-the-soul roots and blues music opens late Friday afternoon at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds, with entertainment, food, activities and, oh yes, shopping, for music- and fun-lovers of all ages.
Begin Saturday and Sunday get those bodies moving with gentle stretching, drumming and dancing hip hop, salsa or swing.
To get the lowdown on who91裸聊视频檚 performing, snag tickets or catch regular updates, visit www.rootsandblues.ca.
