Mr. Livingston, I presume 

Livingston Taylor is just two years younger than his famous rock star brother James, and two years behind him in launching his solo singer-songwriter career. Both have written truly memorable songs, including early efforts about growing up in North Carolina, although both returned to their native Boston area early in adulthood and still maintain homes on Martha’s Vineyard. James and Livingston sing in the same register and have similar vocal tone, but of course James is a household name who would instantly sell out the Santa Barbara Bowl were he to return to perform at the venue, while Livingston settles for sharing a double bill with literary singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III at the Lobero. Such are the vagaries of pop music life. 

It was Jon Landau, who a few years later became Bruce Springsteen’s producer and manager, who pushed Livingston to sign with Macon, Georgia’s Capricorn Records back in 1970, just a year after Landau had raved about James’ debut album on the Beatles’ Apple label in Rolling Stone magazine. Landau also produced Livingston’s self-titled debut, which contained “Carolina Day,” with its references to his family (“Brother James is becoming a star”), although “Lost in the Love of You” was the album’s lush romantic treat. 

Livingston’s subsequent records have featured minor Billboard hits in love songs “I Will Be in Love With You,” “First Time Love,” and “I’ll Come Running,” and over the course of his half-century-plus career, he’s released more than 20 albums in total, mostly self-penned songs but also some well-chosen covers as Taylor proved adept at selecting songs to sing. Since 1989 he’s also been teaching stage performance at the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston, sharing his road readiness with the eager young students. 

All of this is to suggest that on December 5 at the Lobero, checking out Livingston Taylor – who still performs close to 100 shows a year at age 74 – is likely something you won’t regret. And Wainwright never fails to elicit chuckles, sardonic smiles and warm appreciation. Tickets at www.lobero.org.