There’s a running joke around my household about not “pulling a James Taylor and Carly Simon.” It’s not so much a joke as a vow between my husband and me that we won’t get so concerned with image that we can’t stay together. Don’t get me wrong, Taylor is a dude among dudes and certainly has his place in music history. I just think, creatively, Taylor and Simon were better together than he is alone. It might be the sappy 13-year-old in me talking, but the two of them in love and making music makes my heart swoon, even if the relationship was over before I was conceived. For anyone who has viewed video (or been to a live show) of the two singing “Close Your Eyes” or “Devoted to You,” you’re likely to know how I feel about all of this. Although I have my wishes about Taylor and Simon, “Fire and Rain” and “Highway Song” still get stuck in my head as well as any of the duets the couple performed. With tickets ranging from $62 to $82, however, my choice would be to hop on YouTube and catch a show from 30 years ago when Taylor was in his prime.
— Amanda Haggard