4000 pack Dillon for Taylor concert, Joni Mitchell guest star

by Hugh O’Neil
Daily Princetonian
November 9, 1970

James Taylor had decided to say goodnight to the audience with a lullabye. He reached for some water, started to tune his guitar - and Joni Mitchell walked on stage.

Suddenly the capacity crowd at Dillon was on its feet cheering and applauding. When the roar subsided, Miss Mitchell joined "Sweet Baby James" Taylor in his good-bye.

Taylor and Mitchell sang the lullabye together. They left the state to a thunderous standing ovation. The crowd clapped in unison for their return.

Taylor encored with "Sweet Baby James." During the last verse the sound system malfunctioned for the second time. Taylor hung his head in dejection then finished the song without a mike.

About half of the audience joined him singing gently, "Won't you let me do down in my dreams and rock-a-bye Sweet Baby James," Taylor left and the people cheered.

Taylor had opened the concert saying he thought he could avoid going to college by singing rock and rock but added. "In the past year and a half I've been to more college than any of you."

Taylor admitted he didn't "feel dynamite tonight" and that he had a sore throat. Nonetheless, the audience loved him despite typical acoustical problems. Each song was answered by loud applause and he was given a standing ovation at intermission.

Taylor sang most of the cuts from his "Sweet Baby James" album and a couple from "my first smash hit album on Apple."

In the midst of his sad songs, he had a big smile on his face. His voice was gentle - his message clear - "You can't hide the truth in a happy song."


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