Lorne Jackson speaks to musician James Taylor about his start with the Beatles and kicking a drug habit.

To hear James Taylor sing is to enjoy a great big sonic hug.

His reedy voice is always warm and welcoming. A cardigan of croon, knitted out of semiquavers and double clefs.

Yet beneath the delicate vocal ripples and graceful acoustic guitar plucking is something... spikier.

The folk-rock musician’s often autobiographical lyrics describe a life of drama teetering on trauma.

Boy, has Taylor lived the life.

At times it has been barbwire brutal. Though there have been soaring highs as well.

Hit record followed hit of heroin followed hit record...

Live fast and die young, as the old maxim instructs. Though not quite, in Taylor’s case.

The 63-year-old has survived long enough to see most of his hair fall out, and also to find some much needed peace.

Drugs are a thing of the past, though the passion for music continues, and he maintains a hectic touring schedule, which sees him in Birmingham in July.

He’ll be sure to play many of his most loved songs, including his own composition, Sweet Baby James, plus his memorable reworking of Carole King’s You’ve Got A Friend.

Playing live is something he clearly still enjoys.

“I’ve always been a touring musician, mainly because I always made such abysmal deals in my recording contracts,” he says. “Since I wasn’t making much money on the records, I just saw them as a way of getting my music out there, not as a way of making a decent living.

“The money came from the tours. Besides, I just love strapping on a guitar and playing live.

“Singing in front of an audience supplies its own kind of energy. Nothing compares, it really doesn’t.”

Taylor knows what he is talking about. He has been in the music business a long time.

It was Paul McCartney who gave the American his first big break. Previously he had played in bands in his native country, where he also managed to pick up the drug habit.