"You Can't Stop Her" - James Taylor On Joni Mitchell's Return To The Stage

[@gandolph999]

Thank you for letting James Taylor speak.

[@tashaallen8359]

I love James Taylor. The STORIES HE COULD TELL.

[@boblowney]

I'm sorry but "Oh I played on the original" is one of the best responses to any talk show host questions ever! and Colbert knows it!

[@joefriedman9843]

So badass haha he's so humble about it too. James is the best

[@davidmarsalis1522]

😂 Hello Cleveland

[@greenwitch9836]

Love these extended interviews and not cut off. This one was legend! Thank you.

[@harveysmidlap]

James Taylor, another one of America's treasures.

[@ChineduOpara]

Yeah. Too bad everyone dies...

[@horsewoman8948]

@@ChineduOpara Getting old sucks. It's just a horrible thing. The physical. The mental.

[@ChineduOpara]

@@horsewoman8948 Yep. Dying is easy. Aging is the hard part.

[@thperrott]

Joni, of course, is one of Canada's treasures! (So is Neil Young!)

[@greathatsby8096]

Enormous respect for the legend.

[@oldnepalihippie]

He takes me back to the day, and lifts me up to this very day. What a great life and time to be alive with such artists beside you.

[@djdollase]

I just love this guy. So humble and genuine despite being such a legend. Besides his amazing music, it’s part of why I love him.

[@philipstanco6011]

I have seen James Taylor three times in concert. He doesn’t try and dazzle you with visuals. He sits or stands and plays his songs.

[@Martial-Mat]

I'd never even heard of him before this week, but his sincerity, low key personality and vocal tone have instantly won me over. Wonderful human.

[@jbtpa895]

He'll also stay after and talk to people.

[@cc1k435]

@@Martial-Mat In his era, he was in the center of everything with all the greats.

[@humangeneric-777]

Out of the dozens I have attended, James Taylor's live performance was one of the best concerts I have ever experienced.

[@budsurtees4224]

"He sits or stands and plays his songs." Yup, that's basically what it takes to make people swoon. Keep it simple and sing it sweet, and James Taylor is a master of that craft.

[@Skzzlemister]

Thank you Steven for letting him talk and tell this wonderful story!

[@MelesaEFary]

I am in awe of James Taylor! He has so many accomplishments that he is so humble about. Such a beautiful human being.

[@vinista256]

Carly Simon, who has famously been so cagey about the subject of “You’re So Vain,” said “It’s definitely NOT about James, although James suspected that it might be about him because he’s very vain.” 🤯

[@rosy111]

What a beautiful, heartwarming story about the watch and his wife. I just about teared up. What a guy! Enormous respect, indeed. The man's got nothin' to prove

[@robertpaul6257]

Always loved James and Joni! How could you not!!

[@theresajerger3335]

James Taylor calmed me and made me sing along all through the 70’s. Later, I sang “Sweet Baby James” to my son every night to get him to sleep. He still loves that song. Thanks for the memories. Looking forward to your new album. ❤️❤️❤️

[@dougmackenzie5976]

James came to our house about a week or so before his first album was released. At the time, he was even more quiet than he is now. We had not heard him play, yet. That evening, after dinner, we brought him to the club he was playing. When he started to play, every jaw at the table dropped in unison. I was but 10, but I knew I was hearing a very special talent. It's wonderful to see him still out there!

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

Say hello to your brother Bob, you hoser! ;)

[@dougmackenzie5976]

@@michaelrmurphy2734, yeah, I've never heard that one before....

[@pamelacass9642]

@@dougmackenzie5976...poor, poor baby.....😏

[@laurahase5882]

Are you related to the mama's a papas?

[@dougmackenzie5976]

@@laurahase5882, no. My last name is MacKenzie. Mackenzie Phillips uses my family name as her first name.

[@fiona8781]

Thank you James. Thank you Stephen, or your minions for successfully presenting JAMES to another generation. James Taylor is one of the TOP artists of ALL TIME. He is a gentle, BRILLIANT, GENIUS of art and I will always LOVE his gifts...

[@ga6589]

The last time I was at Tanglewood a few years ago for Yo Yo Ma's Bach concert, James made a surprise appearance and together they performed " Baby James." It was simply magical, from beginning to end.

[@cherylsibson2529]

Get James talking he's had an amazing life and carrier in music.

[@KatSauceUp]

This was such an all around beautiful interview. After that mic drop moment most late night hosts would’ve cracked a joke about their staff/producers not prepping them (and it could’ve worked, gotten a laugh, moved things along), but it turned into a genuine nerding out moment from Colbert. Also gotta appreciate the love for Brandi Carlisle.

[@bernlin2000]

Joni absolutely brought me to tears, over and over, really didn't expect to see her perform again, but to see her play GUITAR again?? Most people who suffer a brain aneurysm either die or are permanently damaged. This woman has seriously beat the odd to make a recovery like she has!

[@rayray4192]

There’s something about music and memory unlike language. Linda Ronstadt has a similar story. Linda’s rendition of Roy Orbison and Joe Nelson’s song Blue Bayou is one of the sweetest songs ever recorded and published.

[@NicholasBrown]

Thank you for letting the conversation play out. Love it

[@Justusson]

“No, I played on the original,..” That’s some serious mic drop there,.. 🎤 😂 ,..And yet so humble ☺️

[@glempy]

James Taylor, Please keep going forever! We need you! ❤️

[@cucuhangtuah1]

I love the little smile he makes when he’s mentioning his wife

[@laalaa99stl]

She had to relearn her own songs by watching KZbin videos of herself. She's an inspiration for us all!

[@Martial-Mat]

Wow.

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

Wow, really? 🙏🏼

[@greenlion000]

Pacman

[@screamingjimmy]

I had a stroke 7 years ago as well. I had to do that as well with audio recordings. incredibly humbling. She is the best

[@RebekahCurielAlessi]

@@screamingjimmy Godspeed..❤

[@kelleycrockett3387]

What a great segment, thank you for being the perfect host and not rushing the story.

[@tiffanyannhowe1712]

Mr. Taylor, Thank you. -The World

[@msmcecelia]

Tears come when “A Case of You” is playing. I didn’t know James Taylor was on guitar. What a beautiful album. Joni is a treasure and Blue is such a romantic album.

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

For me its The Circle Game. Even after all these years...

[@safriedrich1631]

@@michaelrmurphy2734 will never get old.. she wrote it for Neil Young

[@TheSocratease]

♥️

[@rayray4192]

“ A Case of You” caused me to pull over last week on Ca.89 as the sun set driving west toward Mount Shasta. Beautiful song.

[@joefriedman9843]

Probably my favorite song of hers. Brilliant.

[@ToniGlick]

It adds to my enjoyment a lot to know James Taylor contibuted to one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@Mandrake591]

To get zinged on your own show, and by James Taylor of all people, what an awesome moment and interview…….

[@americanpancakelive]

This guy is so phenomenal! damn it, so phenomenal.

[@joannejohnson7006]

Americas heart in music, James Taylor 🫶🏼

[@safriedrich1631]

James Taylor, Carol King, and Joni Mitchell.... have been, and will be, listening to them forever... so lucky to have them in my generation.

[@Juicing369]

Along w the Carpenters, Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, Elton John, and so many others!

[@shirleynell9249]

Amen

[@brucemoeller]

James taylor is an American treasure and a warm kind blessing to me.

[@banyagatiger]

Amazing man…. Looking out to watch him play live again.

[@Kim-lc3fv]

A national treasure, both James Taylor, Joni Mitchell (and of course Carole King, Carly Simon, et al) ❤️

[@bradjames6748]

Joni is Canada's national treasure

[@Kim-lc3fv]

@@bradjames6748 Thank you for the correction. I should have added that, after all I have dual citizenship.

[@ComradeStiv]

Good gawd JT is just so sincere and endearing. I just . . . I mean . . how can someone be so damn likeable 😲 Bless his gentle kind soul. That "best friend" part wrecked me 😢

[@shaygirl7673]

So much respect for the man.

[@rebeccabrockway8258]

A humble man with stories to tell.

[@teddyoneills]

Love this man!’🌹

[@carlcurcuruto6893]

Great musician

[@ActionAimz]

James is relaxing to hear sing and also to hear talk. He has a super calming presence about him.

[@SuperWhatthehuh]

What a lovely yarn from a legend. Delightful.

[@judyhowe2082]

James is a gentle giant of the industry!

[@RockyMountainHiGuy]

I would hope that James knows how many lives his music has touched and how many journeys we’ve shared with him. James, thank you for the music - life just wouldn’t have been the same without you.

[@deborahwolz1628]

Brings back so many wonderful memories. Both James and Joni. Wonderful interview!

[@TheProgaddict]

I'm a french heavy metal fan, so you can guess I never heard of him before his week with Stephen. I started listening to his music yesterday and cannot stop ! Wonderful man, wonderful musician !

[@patriciaseitz3530]

I am so happy for you that you have experienced JT. He will enrich your life.

[@KCBachAriaSoloists]

You have a magical hill to discover with JT, good that you started listening!

[@jamesbooth2634]

I remember my college days, listening to both Joni and James on my record player and being enthralled by their vocal ranges and musicianship.

[@henrygvidonas9573]

A lot of his friends thought he wouldn't live long enough to make it to 20. And he's still here, making people happy!

[@marvinmartion1178]

Now we need to see Joni on the show!

[@pandorafox3944]

Yes!!!

[@suzyturnovers5010]

Wow, I admit I don't know much about James Taylor but I could listen to him and Stephen talk all day!

[@fenderfox5080]

Listen up anyone under 20 years old and learning guitar, this guy James Taylor is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Real instruments music needs to come back asap lol. Guitar bass drums and truth, or acoustic guitar and the truth. Alot of the music today wouldn't be here if it weren't for guys like James.

[@jillsalkin7389]

So cute to hear James tells these stories.

[@brenda9990]

James and Joni…love them both. They make me feel young as I remember them back in those good old days! Songs of perfection!

[@ceejay1794]

He’s an amazing guy, been through so much. Seems at ease and at Peace with himself. Grateful to see a softer side engaging.

[@joannejohnson7006]

Bringing home my favorite musical artists Thank you ⭐️

[@BigGretchBlessed]

This is such a good interview because it contains a lot of information and humor in a short time

[@KPrimeau1]

Icon here..... James is forever!!!

[@Me-on1tq]

I love James taylor

[@MothGirl007]

Same. 💗

[@PADS62]

Me toooooo! 😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Me-on1tq]

@@PADS62 😁

[@Katelyn3666]

To find out he played on some of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs just blows my mind and fills me with gittiness. What a classy guy.

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

…”maybe I lost the watch, but I got my best friend”… 🥂

[@crissugar1016]

He is the best & most humble musician. Love hearing his stories & how he enjoys his time making music with so many other fellow musicians! His songs will go through generations of listeners!!

[@SayNoToAuthoritarianism]

I grew up listening to him. One of the first song lyrics I fully learned was “Frozen Man”. Hearing his music brings back memories of family road trips. 🧡

[@gotham61]

Not only did JT play on Blue, several of the songs are about him, as he and Joni were in an intense relationship at the time.

[@Hobodeluxe960]

so much talent in the circles they ran in.

[@deborahgodley6980]

He broke a lot of hearts back in his relationships back in the day! I have been following him since early 1970's.

[@Hobodeluxe960]

@@deborahgodley6980 well he said he wasn't the kind to use pencils or rules.

[@angelariebli4843]

One of the better "mic drops" of life...."no, I played on the original album." And that's how James Taylor caused Stephen Colbert to walk off his own show :) LOL!!!

[@glenncalabrese]

Can’t wait to play this for my wife.

[@Petalumination]

James Taylor is credited for playing on "California", "All I Want", and "Case of You" on Joni Mitchell's "Blue" album, but not for "Carey". Had to check the liner notes from my most recent copy of that album, one I’ve worn out in LP format.

[@drewsacks]

@@Petalumination I think you're right about that. My recollection is that it's all dulcimer and maybe a bit of bass... perhaps Stills was on it? But not so sure about James Taylor.

[@Petalumination]

@@drewsacks Yes, Stephen Stills is credited with playing bass and guitar on "Carey".

[@Hobodeluxe960]

love the chat with these legends. Stephen you should have Lee Sklar on to play with the band and talk music.

[@davidwild3888]

Gotta love this guy, JT!!!

[@tinay9491]

Could listen to the stories all night

[@Kunkel5]

An absolute American treasure.

[@eargasm1072]

"Blue", "Court & Spark", "Sweet Baby James"...they wrote & recorded at least three of the best albums of the 70s. It doesn't get much better than that!

[@TheSocratease]

♥️♥️♥️

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Those are 3 of the LPs I listened to almost every day when I was a teen.

[@JonnyDIY]

James coulda gone all nite, and I coulda listened 💕

[@nalagrey5061]

Thank you for having him.

[@TheGordeaux]

his presence is soothing

[@shauniebnaturalista6672]

I grew up on JT. Much Love ❤️

[@suzannehedderly1331]

Joni and James are both icon treasures. James was my first concert. ❤️❤️

[@susiepoadster4642]

I loved watching him on Crossroads too! Rock a bye Sweet Baby James, you are a treasure!

[@frednow]

James slips in a great Mel Brooks/2000 year old man reference: recounting how he met his current wife, Kim, he remembers that he was distracted when he first met her at the Boston Pops concert he was playing, but when he woke up the next morning he was “thrilled and delighted.” That’s how the 2000 year old man described his “discovery” of women … “When I woke up in the morning I was thrilled and delighted, and I said ‘I think there’s ladies here!’”

[@ladydragonfly5172]

Absolutely love JT! In my house growing up, we didnt have a lot of food to eat, but we had friendship and good times to offer. Plenty of laughter and good music playing like JT, Neil Diamond etc. Even though those were hard times music, family and friends made it bearable.

[@apple707]

James Taylor is such a dream

[@MrFancyFingers]

I could watch them talk for hours, great interview!

[@johndecoteau629]

james taylor is so friggin sweet :)

[@Juicing369]

As long as you don't ask him about Carly.

[@chrismitchum7474]

SBJ...JAMES, one of the best "song birds"

[@Martial-Mat]

Utterly charming.

[@tuvantrader]

I'm more than a little surprised that Stephen didn't know James Taylor played on Blue, but he's not the avid liner-note reader I am, apparently. I only know of one other album that Taylor played on with Joni and it's the title track from her last studio album, Shine. It's a beautiful piece (and a solid album!) worth checking out.

[@djdjfsh7898]

Yay so good

[@MoparMan1320]

JT......an American Treasure to be sure, but also a World Treasure (as I've always seen him). ✌😎

[@edgarcayce2.02]

@Titik Nol Reported as spam and/or excessive junk

[@DarrylsB]

This brings my heart joy

[@InAtlasAtLast]

I heard Brandi live with the Dave Matthews band. She was soooo good.

[@DB-nv9mu]

Love James!

[@brettatton]

What a wonderful man.

[@francescaa8331]

Great interview

[@c.brownell8618]

Wow. I learnt something new here. I heard Blue in 1972 but didn't know til now that James Taylor played guitar in some of those songs. He is amazing.

[@BigGretchBlessed]

James Taylor is the Steve Martin of the music world. Meant with respect. 💯💯

[@brain56]

Colbert: "She did the entire album Blue." Taylor: "So did I. I played the original." Bruh.

[@CHEFPHIL48]

Bring him back for the Colbert questionaire

[@aksabi82orga-team17]

Dad (Still) Loves His Work, as it seems.

[@JChow-e1c]

He is a national treasure. ☮️💟

[@Muhdah1972]

James Taylor's so cool and that's a very sweet story about his wife Kim 💙

[@amygeyer1166]

What a genuine human

[@nancychace8619]

Interesting story. Very nice interview. Really like the work old rockers et al are doing with symphony orchestras. They just had a wonderful performance celebrating Jerry Garcia's 80th at Red Rocks in Colorado with the Colorado Symphony. They shared a couple of cuts online - really beautiful. I've never heard James's new album! Will have to look it up. Thank you for sharing.