- Hey guys, I thought we said no drinking before the show
When Carole King and James Taylor headlined Los Angeles’ Troubadour in 1969, they were far from the icons they would become just a few short years later. Taylor was a backsliding heroin addict with a failed solo album (on the Beatles’ Apple label, to boot) to his credit. King’s songwriting was beyond reproach (“Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Natural Woman,” “Up on the Roof”), but her tenure as a performer was largely unsuccessful. Her debut solo album, Writer, sank without a trace. Taylor hired King to play piano for his Troubadour shows and encouraged her to sing some of her songs during the sets. She ended up playing piano on his 1970 breakthrough Sweet Baby James, and he played guitar on her breakout album, Tapestry, a year later. The pair recently reunited for a series shows commemorating the venue’s 50th anniversary, which you can hear on the new Live at the Troubadour CD and DVD. They’re now on the road together with the Troubadour Reunion Tour, celebrating some of the most beloved and recognizable music of the past four decades. King and Taylor play Quicken Loans Arena at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45-$100. Call call 888-894-9424 or go to livenation.com.—Brian Baker
Review the show at clevescene.com/concertscene
