James Taylor has shared a new video clip of himself and his son Henry performing “You Can Close Your Eyes” live at the Honda Center in Anaheim on October 30. The collaboration came at the end of that night’s show on Taylor’s extensive North American tour with Jackson Browne.
“Henry and I worked up this old tune of mine that we want to leave you with,” the beloved singer-songwriter tells the audience. “Thank you again for making tonight possible for us.”
“You Can Close Your Eyes” was a memorable part of Taylor’s breakthrough 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, and also became the B-side of his US chart-topping single “You’ve Got A Friend.” It had been recorded by his sister Kate, who released it some three months before her brother’s LP was released, on her Sister Kate album.
The song continued to expand its audience when Linda Ronstadt covered it on her own career-changing album of 1974, the Grammy-winning No.1 set Heart Like A Wheel. It has also attracted some 50 versions since, including those by Richie Havens in 1976, Sheryl Crow in 2006, and Taylor’s ex-wife Carly Simon in 2007, with their children Ben and Sally Taylor.
“JT” and Carole King also performed the song on the arena tour that produced their Live At The Troubadour album in 2010. That tour will be commemorarated in Frank Marshall’s imminent documentary Just Call Out My Name, which will premiere on January 2 at 9pm ET on CNN, also livestreaming on CNNgo.
Taylor will be part of the MusiCares 2022 Person of the Year event, as part of its Grammy week activity, in Los Angeles on January 29, honoring another career-long friend, Joni Mitchell. He was himself the recipient of that award in 2006. He will begin his Canadian tour with Browne on April 21, on which dates continue until May 12. James’ delayed European tour will begin in September 2022.
Buy Carole King and James Taylor’s Live At The Troubadour on 180 gram vinyl.
