James Taylor’s Summer Plans

Summer got more interesting today with the announcement that James Taylor is planning a July-August tour in support of his first album featuring new material in 13 years. Stops include Indianapolis, Atlantic City, Cincinnati and Portland, Maine.

Taylor’s new disc – Before This World – drops June 16 from Concord Records. Of the album’s 10 tracks, 9 are brand new compositions from Taylor. His last collection of original songs was 2002’s October Road. Since then he’s released two holiday albums, live LPs and two cover collections.

Photo: Scott Roth / Invision / AP

"Nearness of You" concert, Lincoln Center For The Perf. Arts, N.Y.C.

Recorded at Taylor’s home studio TheBarn located in Washington, Mass., Before This World features Sweet Baby James working with several longtime members of his band, including bassist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Steve Gadd, guitarist Michael Landau, keyboardist Larry Goldings, percussionist Luis Conte, fiddler/vocalist Andrea Zonn and vocalists Arnold McCuller, David Lasley and Kate Markowitz. Taylor also enlisted his close friends Yo Yo Ma and Sting for guest performances.

In addition to the talent-heavy lineup, Taylor got his family involved. His wife Kim and son Henry sang harmony on the classic folk song “Wild Mountain Thyme” and on “Angels Of Fenway.”

Speaking of which, the newly announced dates lead up to his Aug. 6 concert planned for Boston’s Fenway Park. Wanna bet “Angels Of Fenway” will be a very in-demand number that evening?

Here’s the tour:

July 2 – Allentown, Pa., PPL Center
July 4 – Lenox, Mass., Koussevitzky Music Shed
July 7 – Portland, Maine, Cross Insurance Arena
July 9 – Hershey, Pa., Hersheypark Arena
July 11 – Hartford, Conn., Xfinity Theatre
July 12 – Canandaigua, N.Y., Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands PAC (CMAC)
July 14 – Grand Rapids, Mich., Van Andel Arena
July 15 – Noblesville, Ind., Klipsch Music Center
July 17 – Cincinnati, Ohio, Riverbend Music Center
July 28 – Knoxville, Tenn., Thompson-Boling Arena
July 29 – Columbia, S.C., Colonial Life Arena
July 31 – Greensboro, N.C., Greensboro Coliseum
Aug. 1 – Atlantic City, N.J., Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa / Event Ctr.
Aug. 3 – Youngstown, Ohio, Covelli Centre
Aug. 4 – Queens, N.Y., Forest Hills Stadium
Aug. 6 – Boston, Mass., Fenway Park

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