James Taylor and Legendary Band performed at the Rexall Centre at York University as part of the inaugural BlackCreek Summer Music Festival on Saturday night. (Anil Mungal/ Special to QMI Agency)

TORONTO - Is there any musical sound more warm and inviting than that of singer-songwriter James Taylor’s voice?

Sure, probably.

But the 63-year-old folk-pop veteran made it almost impossible to think of anything else as he delivered a confident, cozy and crowd pleasing two-hour show at the Rexall Centre at York University as part of the inaugural BlackCreek Summer Music Festival on Saturday night.

Playing before a crowd of about 7,000, Taylor also proved to be a funny and charming storyteller with great timing.

For example, a large plane flew closely over the outdoor amphitheatre during Carolina In My Mind just as Taylor looked up and sang, “In my mind, I’m going to Carolina,” while strumming his acoustic guitar it seemed as if he had planned it.

He made performing seem so effortless and easy.

Backed by the expanding and contracting but ultimately 11-member Legendary Band, including third wife Kim on vocals (“my own sweet darling” as he called her) and standout percussionist Luis Conte of Cuba, the long and lanky singer opened the evening with Buddy Holly’s Everyday.

However, it was when he delved into the song, Something In The Way, that got him his record deal with Apple Records in 1968 after he played it for Paul McCartney and George Harrison, that it seemed many of the women in the audience practically swooned.

“George Harrison then went home and wrote it himself,” joked Taylor of the Beatle who, of course, wrote Something. “I had ripped it off several Beatles tunes so it goes around.”

And sometimes when Taylor sensed he was going on too long with a yarn - he was in fact endlessly entertaining - he made fun of himself.

For example, of Line ‘Em up, which Taylor said began with the end of Nixon’s disgraced time as U.S. president and ended with the mass Moonie wedding at Madison Square Garden, he joked: “This song is not nearly as long as the introduction.”

But he could be pointed too.

“They say Canadians are polite, although they weren’t the other night in Vancouver,” said the Boston-born Taylor, referring to the riot after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Bruins.

Stories aside, it was Taylor’s songs and incredible voice that made for a truly memorable night on such highlights as Carolina In My Mind, Country Road, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Steamroller, Mexico, Shed A Little Light, and Shower The People, and covers like recent tour partner Carole King’s Up On The Roof, Lead Belly’s Western Plain (When I Was a Cowboy), and Marvin Gaye’s How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).

And the one-two emotional punch of Sweet Baby James and Fire and Rain was almost too much to take in as the audience leapt to its feet for a standing ovation in appreciation.

Taylor closed the night on a sweet note with You can Close Your Eyes with just him and Kim harmonizing together before the four other backup singers - Kate Markowitz, Andrea Zonn (also on fiddle), David Lasley, and Arnold McCuller - chimed in with gorgeous harmonies.

Also impressive was Taylor’s willingness to connect with his fans after all this time as he spent much of the 35 minute intermission sitting at the front of his stage, signing autographs and having his picture taken.

What other artist of his stature - he’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who has won five Grammys - does this?

SET LIST

Everyday (Buddy Holly cover)

Something in the Way She Moves

Walking Man

Your Smiling Face

Line ‘Em Up

Some Days You Gotta Dance

My Traveling Star

Carolina in My Mind

Up on the Roof

Country Road

INTERMISSION

Western Plain (When I Was a Cowboy)

Jump Up Behind Me

Copperline

Stop Thinkin’ About That

Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Steamroller

Sweet Baby James

Fire and Rain

Mexico

Shed a Little Light

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

ENCORE

Shower the People

You Can Close Your Eyes