“American Standard” James Taylor is forever, plus he’s got a friend in Jackson Browne

James Taylor

The initial launch of James Taylor & His All-Star Band’s belated tour in support of 2020’s “American Standard” kicked off at Chicago’s United Center, just as Lollapalooza and the entire post-lockdown concert season was winding back up, but fans were thankfully given another nearby chance to catch the timeless singer/songwriter at the Fiserv Forum.

And for those game to get their COVID-19 vaccination cards or negative tests checked at the door, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer made it more than worth everyone’s while, making the home of reigning NBA champs the Milwaukee Bucks feel like a theatre.

James TaylorDespite being several months into the comeback and basically a fixture on the road since debuting on The Beatles’ Apple Records in 1968, Taylor’s voice was pure easygoing gold as he warmly crooned “Country Road,” “Copperline” and “That’s Why I’m Here” against a gorgeous backdrop of virtual outdoor scenery.

The headliner and his folk meets bluesy backers kicked it up a notch come “Mexico” and “Steamroller” a little later, while also revisiting the rarer “Line ‘Em Up” and going way back to 1927 for “As Easy As Rolling Off A Log,” as featured on the aforementioned standards collection.

The classics kept right on strumming for “Sweet Baby James,” who continued to “Shower The People” with everything from “Fire And Rain” to “You’ve Got A Friend,” plus numerous others.

Speaking of pals, Taylor seemed thrilled to share the spotlight with support act Jackson Browne and the feeling was certainly mutual from that fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, who besides their collaborative surprises, turned in a little over an hour on his own.

After getting everyone going with the sing-a-long “Somebody’s Baby” (from the seminal ‘80s soundtrack “Fast Times At Ridgemont High”), Browne took a trip to “The Barricades Of Heaven” and showcased his latest long player, “Downhill From Everywhere.”

James TaylorNewcomers “The Dreamer” and “Until Justice Is Real” fit right in with his previous topical touchstones, while “Doctor My Eyes,” plus Taylor tag teams throughout “The Pretender” and “Running On Empty,” were additional breaths of iconic air from the period when genuine music was the focal point of pop culture.


For additional information on James Taylor and Jackson Browne, visit JamesTaylor.com and JacksonBrowne.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Fiserv Forum include Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Dec. 26); Kane Brown (Jan. 20); Ghost and Volbeat (Feb. 20); Tyler, The Creator (Feb. 24); Imagine Dragons (Feb. 25); Journey and Billy Idol (Mar. 12) and Elton John (Apr. 2). For additional details, visit FiservForum.com.