On the Regent Theatre stage stood a white grand piano, surrounded by colourful bunches of flowers and subtle table lamps.
Into the spotlights quietly strolled Emily Follands, who removed her shoes, sat at the piano, and delivered a powerful flawless version of Carole King’s wonderful ballad So Far Away.
On a three-month Scandinavia and UK tour, this is a magnificent tribute to a couple of 20th-century America’s finest singer-songwriters.
The show is informative, fascinating, and the music’s delivered live with feeling and astonishing accuracy from a five-piece band.
Carole King’s songs are hooky, with intelligent lyrics and memorable melodies, from her first huge 1950s hit It Might As Well Rain Until September, through the Drifters’ 60s Up On The Roof, to her multi-award-winning 70s classic album Tapestry.
James Taylor’s material features moving autobiographical detail, from the aching ballad in 3/4 time Sweet Baby James, through the thought-provokingly powerful narrative Fire And Rain, to the classic Going To Carolina In My Mind.
The fantastic finale featured some of the best pop songs ever written, including the unforgettably moving You’ve Got A Friend, the yearningly beautiful Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, and Carole King’s melancholic masterpiece It’s Too Late.
Emily Follands concludes a wonderful show by delivering Carole King’s trademark soulful gospel vocal on the sing-it-all-the-way-home ballad Way Over Yonder.
This concert was postponed a few weeks ago due to heavy snow – it was worth waiting for!
Brendan McCusker
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