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

[@gandolph999]

Thank you for letting James Taylor speak.

[@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

[@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.

[@tashaallen8359]

I love James Taylor. The STORIES HE COULD TELL.

[@suzannefarrington4143]

James Taylor, from the Guardian's article, 22 June 2021: "Joni had succeeded in music. She had a house and an automobile and wanted to have fun and see the world. After a year or two travelling in Europe with her portable dulcimer, she came back with lots of songs and ideas. We moved in the same circles and ended up together. I’m not saying I was sober, but my then addiction to heroin was relatively quiet. It was a calm, peaceful, amazing, creative time. She quit smoking and her voice was excellent. She was at the height of her powers. It felt natural and easy for me to play on the album. There were very few people in the sessions. Blue’s brilliance lies in its minimalism. It thrives on her voice, melody and personality. It’s pure Joni. California, which she wrote in Paris, is a coming home song. After travelling, your home has a different context within the world and California captures that. It’s delightful, personal and genuine. When I was taking her to meet my family in North Carolina, between flights she suddenly said she had to return to California and left me at the airport - at the altar, so to speak. Maybe she sensed the wreckage of my next 15 years and didn’t want to be tied down. She is totally real and self-invented and it’s one of the best things in my life that I’ve known her."

[@Kim-lc3fv]

I moved to Europe in 1992 and was sad to learn that she would never tour there because she didn't like flying, for health reasons, I think.

[@teleiamc]

He forgot to mention that he dumped Joni for Carly Simon.

[@suzannefarrington4143]

@@teleiamc nope. He has said Joni dumped him at an airport on the way to meet his parents. He met Carly Simon in 1971.

[@teleiamc]

@@suzannefarrington4143 - not according to Joni & Carly Simon. They were friends long before they were lovers, & were only romantically involved for about 6 months from late 1970 thru 1971.

[@bradjames6748]

California is not her home ,she lives there part time, and spends the rest of the time on the sunshine coast north of Vancouver BC ,she was born in Fort McLeod, Alberta

[@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!)

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@greathatsby8096]

Enormous respect for the legend.

[@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.

[@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. ❤️❤️❤️

[@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.

[@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

[@cherylsibson2529]

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

[@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..❤

[@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.

[@Skzzlemister]

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

[@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.

[@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.” 🤯

[@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...

[@robertpaul6257]

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

[@Justusson]

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

[@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!

[@greenwitch9836]

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

[@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".

[@suzannefarrington4143]

He plays shows at Tanglewood every July 4th weekend, and I've seen a few recent ones. The timbre of that voice and those tunes reverberating through Lenox, resonating with us all in a time trip, is something I'll never forget.

[@LindaC616]

I've lived in RI for 23 yrs, but have never been able to get tickets to that

[@suzannefarrington4143]

@@LindaC616 my sister did, and we went together. It’s weirdly competitive.

[@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.

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

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

[@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

[@NicholasBrown]

Thank you for letting the conversation play out. Love it

[@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.

[@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 😢

[@Mandrake591]

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

[@ToniGlick]

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

[@kelleycrockett3387]

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

[@marvinmartion1178]

Now we need to see Joni on the show!

[@pandorafox3944]

Yes!!!

[@Me-on1tq]

I love James taylor

[@MothGirl007]

Same. 💗

[@PADS62]

Me toooooo! 😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Me-on1tq]

@@PADS62 😁

[@americanpancakelive]

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

[@tiffanyannhowe1712]

Mr. Taylor, Thank you. -The World

[@carlcurcuruto6893]

Great musician

[@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.

[@glempy]

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

[@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!!

[@suzyturnovers5010]

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

[@teddyoneills]

Love this man!’🌹

[@joannejohnson7006]

Americas heart in music, James Taylor 🫶🏼

[@judyhowe2082]

James is a gentle giant of the industry!

[@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.

[@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.

[@rebeccabrockway8258]

A humble man with stories to tell.

[@shaygirl7673]

So much respect for the man.

[@johndecoteau629]

james taylor is so friggin sweet :)

[@Juicing369]

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

[@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. 🧡

[@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!’”

[@brain56]

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

[@shauniebnaturalista6672]

I grew up on JT. Much Love ❤️

[@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.

[@banyagatiger]

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

[@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.

[@Hobodeluxe960]

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

[@jillsalkin7389]

So cute to hear James tells these stories.

[@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.

[@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

[@brucemoeller]

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

[@KPrimeau1]

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

[@claudiagibsonmusic]

Anyone who knows about that album knows how much James Taylor contributed to it with his guitar playing. Get with it Stephen Colbert!

[@Kunkel5]

An absolute American treasure.

[@joannejohnson7006]

Bringing home my favorite musical artists Thank you ⭐️

[@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.

[@BigGretchBlessed]

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

[@SuperWhatthehuh]

What a lovely yarn from a legend. Delightful.

[@deborahwolz1628]

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

[@ActionAimz]

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

[@apple707]

James Taylor is such a dream

[@CHEFPHIL48]

Bring him back for the Colbert questionaire

[@TheGordeaux]

his presence is soothing

[@JonnyDIY]

James coulda gone all nite, and I coulda listened 💕

[@BigGretchBlessed]

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

[@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!

[@InAtlasAtLast]

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

[@davidwild3888]

Gotta love this guy, JT!!!

[@nalagrey5061]

Thank you for having him.

[@Martial-Mat]

Utterly charming.

[@anonymusum]

Sometimes it´s strange to realize how distanced pop guys like James Taylor are from the prof. musical world. So he is stunned about John Williams´ ability to read and silently "hear" or imagine a musical score. Well, every conductor can do that as well as every church musician and arranger. In fact I can´t imagine a guy like James who can´t do it.

[@user-cz2bh3yl9y]

He is a national treasure. ☮️💟

[@tedtamada]

Stephen, you really should listen to Blue again. You can’t miss James’ guitar on it.

[@Muhdah1972]

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

[@aksabi82orga-team17]

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

[@Woodlawn22]

It's been a pleasure to see James Taylor on but I have to say that it's just painful to watch when guests have to strain to sit sideways to talk to Stephen as he did. Since it's so rare to have more than one guest at a time can't you remove the extra seating most of the time so the one chair can be arranged at an easier angle for the two to speak at?? Just another 45 degrees or so?

[@djdjfsh7898]

Yay so good

[@susiepoadster4642]

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

[@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.

[@marthawoodworth]

He's still a good-looking man, in some ways better than ever.

[@suzannehedderly1331]

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

[@TheWasif]

“I Lost My Watch, But I Got My Best Friend,” the new track on James’ next album. 🤗

[@charlynegezze8536]

He´s coming Spain in September!!