Masterful storyteller Darren Coggan shares the journey behind the legend in his critically acclaimed show, ‘Fire and Rain’: The James Taylor Songbook
1970, it’s the dawn of a new era, the era of the singer-songwriter and James Taylor is crowned its king. Every time you turn on the radio, you can’t escape the soothing, intensely personal reflections, of a song called ‘Fire & Rain’.
Award-winning performer Darren Coggan brings to life the timeless songs of James Taylor, in an unforgettable celebration of one of modern music’s most magnetic and beloved artists.
In this heartfelt performance, Darren takes audiences on an eloquent musical journey through Taylor’s iconic songbook, featuring classics like How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You, Country Road, Carolina in My Mind, Sweet Baby James, You’ve Got a Friend, Shower The People, Fire & Rain, and many more.
Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse artists, a masterful storyteller with a knack of weaving fascinating and perceptive tales through his songs. With a swag of Golden Guitars, Independent Country Music Awards and the coveted Toyota Star Maker under his belt, Darren has carved an impressive career in the Australian country music industry. His touring productions celebrating the songbooks of Glen Campbell, John Denver, James Taylor and his critically acclaimed portrait of Cat Stevens have inspired audiences in the grandest theatres across the globe including sell out seasons at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Liverpool Philharmonic. Darren is currently presenting the lifestyle TV program Sydney Weekender for network Seven.
“The artists that I love – James Taylor, Cat Stevens, John Denver, Glen Campbell – they are artists whose work I feel that I can do justice to and replicate authentically. With James Taylor, I hope that I can deliver the same sense of joy and yearning that he had and that the audiences emerge from the theatre feeling as uplifted and inspired by the songs as I do.” Says Darren.
Coggan, who has been immersed in Taylor’s music since a young child, rates ‘You Can Close Your Eyes’, the B side of Taylor’s You’ve Got A Friend single – written for Taylor’s then girlfriend Joni Mitchell – as his favourite song of all time.
“I have been a fan of James Taylor for as long as I can remember,” he says. “I find great refuge in his albums and Taylor’s baritone is so comforting, familiar, warm and friendly, but it is so much more than the voice. He is a superb storyteller whose songs are enduringly relevant and take you on a journey, in a very personal way, I cannot wait to do just that with our audiences,” said Coggan.
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