James Taylor

It's been just about 40 years now since James Taylor released his debut album on the Beatles' record label. Since then, his long, slender frame has been producing peaceful, serene music with an incredible class and discretion.

To be better understood, or to celebrate his 60th birthday, which was on March 12, and just for the fun of it, JT has hit the road with his One Man Band tour, alongside Larry Goldings on piano. His hometown performance, in Pittsfield, MA, has been released on CD and DVD by Universal, and Belgian fans had the chance Thursday to see him in person when he made a visit to the Bozar (short for Palais des Beaux Arts) of Brussels as part of his 15-date European tour — five years after he played his last concert in Belgium at the same theater.

And it is no ordinary concert. For the first time, James talks between each song, with the support of visuals. With great humor, he recalls his parents and the years of his youth. We hear him recount his days with Carole King ("You've Got a Friend," arranged by Joni Mitchell), and Danny Kortchmar, who launched Taylor's career by presenting him to McCartney and Harrison.

His origins are in New England and North Carolina, but that doesn't stop him wandering from LA to Red Square via a Mediterranean island, evoking the departure of Nixon or a mass marriage ceremony carried out by Reverend Sun Myung's Moon sect ("Line 'em Up"). At times, it's a bit like going on a tour of the world. And there is more humor with the appearance of a huge wooden drum machine, built with his friend Gordon Fairfield. And for good measure, a choir appears on a giant screen, though they are not part of his group.

The reaction of the audience, mostly Flemish fans who clearly have a great knowledge of Taylor's music, was immediate to his best known songs ("Something in the Way She Moves" and "Carolina on My Mind," from his first album).

James Taylor is neither country nor folk, neither blues nor soul nor pop. Yet, still, he is all of those at the same time. He has inspired the likes of Delpech and Cabrel.

He is, alongside Paul Simon, to the east coast what Michael Franks and Jackson Browne are to the west: a dignified representative of the great American tradition that makes us dream so much. James ends his two-hour, five-encore show by willingly shaking hands and signing autographs with the front row of the audience. A splendid gentleman, James.