Taylor Blends Soul With Insights

Back when he was a staple of Top 40 radio, singer-songwriter James Taylor sometimes veered precariously close to becoming a parody of ‘70s mellow-folk. But the low-key Taylor has always been a fine craftsman. And these days it’s not mellow nostalgia that accounts for Taylor’s enduring strength as a concert draw, but his talents as a gifted performer, and an exceptional creator of fine melodies and quiet insights. On Tuesday, in the first of three shows at the Universal Amphitheatre, Taylor delivered a generous pair of not-so-mellow sets packed with warm feelings, good humor and comfort-fit soul.

With a strong four-piece band and a quartet of backup singers, Taylor worked through his career songbook. Early standouts like “Country Road” and “Carolina in My Mind” were given effective updates, big hits like “Fire and Rain” and “You’ve Got a Friend” were performed in a winning, modest fashion, and a few well-built new tunes demonstrated that Taylor’s writing still has muscle.

His songs offer an odd scatter of Americana--great floods, cattle drives, smiling faces and problematic lovers come to life in music that echoes blues, gospel and folk balladry. But the blend is uniquely Taylor’s, and in performance his distinctively clear and easy vocal style made each tune smooth and affecting. Some might suspect a Taylor set list would settle into sentimental torpor, but in addition to musical highlights, the show was kept highly entertaining by the singer’s aw-shucks demeanor and gentle humor, which ranged from Nixon impressions to the appropriate gesture when “Free Bird” was requested.

Encores proved the Taylor gene pool to be in fine shape--the singer brought out his son, Ben, (whose mother is Carly Simon) to share lead vocals on a pass at Little Feat’s song “Dixie Chicken,” and the younger Taylor aced it in a voice as clear and easy as his dad’s.

* James Taylor plays tonight at the Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 8:15 p.m. $30-$12. (818) 622-4440. Also Saturday at Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, Devore, 7:30 p.m., $27.50 and $17.50. (909) 886-8742.