Based on listening to his music and a very few conversations, I’ve always regarded Livingston Taylor as an arresting, lyrical, and often ethereal being.

As a result, I took note several years ago of a story told to me by one of Mr. Taylor’s former students at Berklee College of Music in Boston. “What is the most important thing you can do to prepare for a gig?” he reportedly asked his class. Answer: get directions.

He also suggested that putting gas in your car and making sure the spare tire is inflated are good ideas, the student told me.