Wow! I have just seen the second video capturing some of the great moments of James Taylor’s Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton. Again thanks and congratulations to Brian O’Connor and Eric Allen, for a fantastic video which features interviews with Captain Nick Bates, Entertainment Director Ray Rouse and of course James Taylor himself, as well as clips of his performances and interview. For those who were there it’ll be a great memento of a legendary voyage and for the rest of us…….. well we wish we could have been there to witness another amazing event in Cunard’s history. See the video below:
Meanwhile I’ll be back tomorrow with more news from the Queen Elizabeth keel laying ceremony. Cheers Alastair
As you will no doubt be aware from my Blog last week, Cunard was proud to host James Taylor on the Transatlantic Crossing from New York arriving in Southampton last Thursday. Thanks to Brian O’Connor and Eric Allen, a two-part exclusive James Taylor video diary was recorded starting with embarkation in New York on 19 June that captures interviews with James and his family and the afternoon sail away.
Here is part one.
Coming soon, part two, which will include my fellow Entertainment Director Ray Rouse interviewing James Taylor in front of a live audience in the Royal Court Theatre, a guest autograph and photo session, video clips from his Cunard Command Performances and guest reaction to this exclusive event aboard Queen Mary 2.
As many of you will be aware the legendary singer song writer James Taylor is currently sailing on Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton and will be entertaining guests while he is on board. I’m going to pass over to Brian O’Connor who is sailing with him for an update on the crossing so far:
James Taylor departed New York on Queen Mary 2’s 19 June Transatlantic Crossing.Along with his band, joining him enroute to England to kick off their summer tour, are his wife Kim, twin sons Rufus and Henry and his mother Trudy Taylor.
This Cunard voyage fulfils a lifelong dream of Taylor’s who shared in a new book entitled “My Favorite Place on Earth” in which a chapter is written about him…in it he reveals that his favourite place is in the middle of the North Atlantic.During the voyage, Taylor and the band are rehearsing for a 10 week tour that will visit nine countries and perform 22 concerts.
During the Crossing, Ray Rouse, Queen Mary 2’s Entertainment Director interviewed James Taylor in the Royal Court Theatre in front of a live audience.Following the interview James graciously greeted, signed autographs and took photos with more than 200 adoring fans.He stayed one hour longer than scheduled because he wanted to meet each person who had waited in line for nearly two hours.
James and his band will present two Cunard Command Performances, a late and early concert for the two dinner seatings on the final two nights of the voyage.Tickets have been distributed and, as one would expect, both shows are FULL.
Brian will be posting a special Blog next week with a full report on the crossing and of course James Taylor’s performances, hopefully with some video footage.
I’ll be back on Thursday with a special Blog about Cunard’s involvement with the Prince’s Trust charity which does amazing work with underprivileged youngsters. In fact there are lots of fascinating Blogs coming up including a special guest Blogger to mark the 169th anniversary of Britannia’s maiden crossing. Then of course I’ll be in Italy for Queen Elizabeth’s keel laying ceremony, so lots to share with you. Thank you again for all the comments, please do keep them coming.
By now many of you have heard that Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor and his band will perform during Queen Mary 2’s 19th June 2009 eastbound Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton. He becomes part of the Cunard family of celebrities who have travelled with the line over the last 169 years. James Taylor will headline two Cunard Command Performances in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre during the six-day voyage.
Over the course of his career, he has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy Awards for works ranging from ‘Sweet Baby James’ in 1970 to ‘Covers’, his most recent album featuring his own interpretation of tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s and for which he was nominated for two 2009 Grammy Awards. One of his most well known covers is probably the 1971 “You’ve Got a Friend” which also earned him a Grammy. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Most recently, he was one of a select few music artists who performed for President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
James Taylor said “I’ve always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe. It’s such a civilised way to go and Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first class travel. It seemed an impossible dream to use the passage to transport and rehearse our summer tour: band, crew and family; kit and caboodle. I’m certainly looking forward to the pair of concerts at the end of the trip and, hallelujah, no jet lag.”
James Taylor will also take time out of his rehearsal schedule and be interviewed by Queen Mary 2’s Entertainment Director in front of a live audience in association with Cunard Insights. Following the interview guests will have the opportunity to take photographs with and get autographs from iconic music man.
Apparently there are still some staterooms available so for fans of James Taylor – this could be one of the most stylish ways of getting to see him perform in an up close and intimate setting.
Information about performance days, showtimes and ticketing for the two performances will communicated on board Queen Mary 2 after departing New York.
Thank you again for logging on and I will be back as usual on Thursday with more news. Cheers - Alastair
