Both Carole King and James Taylor were two of the biggest artists during a time where Rock was heavily focused on a wide variety of style. Both singer/songwriters had massive fanbases who bought everything they released. Back in 1971, the two performed at LA's famed Troubadour venue. James Taylor had already released his immortal Sweet Baby James album, and Carole had the biggest album on the charts with her equally immortal (perhaps more so) Tapestry. They developed a friendship that continued and displays its musical spark in this newly released CD/DVD of their return to The Troubadour back in 2007 during the venue's 50th Anniversary period.

This set is important in several ways. The first and most important is that it shows the relevancy of the two musicians, both of whom still carry a talent that can produce. It was revelatory to me to see the two in an intimate setting, both accompanying each other on selections from their past musical collection of songs.

Musically, the two meshed spectacularly. One listen to King's "It's Too Late" and you quickly come to realize that song is as beautiful and painfully sad today as it was all of these past decades ago. Taylor and King's musical collaboration on this performance left me with goosebumps. Maybe I'm too sentimental but I really think that the skils of these two performers produced this electrifying performance and is still a strong ability.

Taylor's performance of "Fire and Rain" still runs deeply. His performance of the King-penned "You've Got a Friend" that he popularized decades back still carries strength.

It settles upon me that these two possess the skills to address things that concerns many of us at our age group today. It isn't about heartbreak from incompatibilities and unfulfilled forward movements these days. Our age group still have breakups, perhaps more of them but they tend to stem from stifling routines and boredom rather than the things that motivated us in our younger years. If any singer/songwriter can convey those issues, it is these two. There are, of course, other issues, interests, and needs that afflict us and catch our ear. Taylor and King, separately or individually, are the hosts of words that can communicate them to a fanbase that never strayed too far.

I would have loved to hear songs like "Sweet Seasons" and even "Jazzman," two classic Carole King selections but nevertheless the entire set was well paced with both artists getting equal song representation, supported by extraordinary musicianship provided not only by Taylor and King but also the touring band that backed them up.

From a visual and audio standpoint, this set is stellar. Visually, the video is as gorgeous, clear, and crisp as can be highlighting this concert setting wonderfully. From the audio perspective, there is Dolby Digital Stereo. And for fans of the Surround stage, there is 5.1 DTS. For the complete experience, Live at the Troubadour does a magnificent job. While the Live set would have been great to have been in attendance at, this DVD remedies the regret immeasureably.

i can't stress enough the necessity of acquiring the CD/DVD set and here's why. When you have absorbed the DVD performance, the CD can go with you in the car or on your digital player to conjure those images again from that show and remind you of the force that is Carole King and James Taylor. They haven't aged, they've improved.

Live at The Troubadour is a wonderfully satisfying experience.