He's seen fire and he's seen rain, he's seen sunny days that he thought would never end, but still James Taylor soldiers on. Of all the successful US bed-sit singer/song writers of the early 1970s, Taylor is perhaps the best regarded. Having survived mental illness and heroin addiction, he has transformed himself over the past three decades from a cruelly shy performer into a person who displays confidence and wit via a rapport with his audience that is intuitive, respectful and grateful. Taylor's music has weathered fashion storms, although it's unlikely the generation gap will be completely bridged. He performs at Belfast's Waterfront, Monday/Tuesday, and at Dublin's Point theatre, Thursday. Stale cheese sandwiches, patchouli oil and one-bar electric fires optional.