News, Reviews, Interviews & More

Livingston Taylor is charging through his 70s with a guitar in hand and a passport full of stamps, delighting in the freedom that comes with being older.

“Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Borneo, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Ireland, Japan...” Mr. Taylor rattled off, grinning. “Because I am getting older and becoming invisible, it allows me the joy of being able to see without being seen.”

Mr. Taylor is now home at his house on the Vineyard, where his roots run deep. He is a member of the musical Taylor family — brother to James, Kate and Hugh Taylor — that has been a part of the Island’s cultural fabric since the 1950s. This summer, he will take the stage at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on July 6 and August 14, with his nephew Isaac Taylor joining him for a few songs.

Mr. Taylor said he hasn’t yet decided on what songs he will play. But with more than 60 years of music behind him, he can draw on a vast repertoire, and enjoys letting the moment guide his setlist.

He said always begins with his eyes closed, his guitar hanging from his shoulder, held in place by a rainbow strap, so he can fee the power of each chord. When he opens his eyes, he is fully immersed in his audience, able to notice when a couple taps each other’s thighs to the beat or when someone laughs at his banter between songs.

“I need them and I love being in their presence...” Mr. Taylor said. “I’m willing to live in the presence of your cynicism and fear because I like to be around you that much.”

Mr. Taylor’s first performance on the Vineyard was at the Moon-Cusser coffee house in Oak Bluffs when he was 13 years old, singing with Carly Simon, who would later become his sister in law. He is now a seasoned performer, having written top-40 hits such as Carolina Day and Get Out of Bed, and appearing on stage with Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac and Jimmy Buffet. Recently, he performed with Janis Ian, Al Stewart and Loudon Wainwright.

In January, Mr. Taylor recorded a new album arranged by Bill Elliott called Symphonic Steps with the BBC Concert Orchestra accompanying him on songs such as Glad I Know You Well and James Taylor’s Carolina In My Mind. They recorded the set in two days, which Mr. Taylor said was a beautiful way to wind up his career.

“I have a very good friend who said something to me that was very wise,” he said. “If you’re going to do it, do it in your 70s. When you get to your 80s, you will be too old.”

Mr. Taylor is distinctly aware of the fact that he’s getting older and statistically there is only so much time left. With that in mind, he is at work on his second book, a memoir titled, Letters to Livingston. The book is based on what Mr. Taylor would say to a 13 year-old boy who is just starting out in life.

He began writing the book last fall but does not have a publisher yet. He said he knew the business side of things would be looking for celebrity information to better market the book but he didn’t want to go that route.

“There will be virtually none of that because there is nothing more boring to me than self-centered celebrities,” he said.

Mr. Taylor has lived around celebrities his whole life, his brother in particular. Mr. Taylor even referred to himself as “the less famous brother to James.”

“I’ve had the umbrella of his fame, allowing me to avoid the solar ferocity of fame,” he said.

While Mr. Taylor said he has a fanbase of his own, he’s grateful to have a measure of anonymity, while also having access to his brother’s world which has helped him live a life filled with adventure.

Mr. Taylor was a professor at Berklee College of Music for over three decades, teaching a course called Stage Performance to students that included Charlie Puth and John Mayer. He has since retired, but teaches part-time at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

He’s a natural teacher, equally at ease guiding students as he is captivating audiences. For him, music is a pathway home after an adventurous thought and he hopes it offers others the same sense of grounding.

“I like to remind people that the life they have lived, that they are living and will live, is beautiful and it is of value. It is seen by a loving universe that awaits to embrace them once again,” Mr. Taylor said.

Livingston Taylor performs at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Sociey on July 6 and August 13. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit mvfilmsociety.com.