A Soft-Rock Million-Dollar Bash?

When Bostonist scanned the list of those on Deval Patrick's inaugural committee, we thought, "James Taylor? Huh. James 'Fire and Rain' Taylor? Is he doing the Bono thing now?"

We learned that was indeed the case, and rumors have now surfaced that the soft-rocker might be dropping a few tunes at the Deval Patrick Million-Dollar Bash. Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan write, "At his Boston concert before the election, Sweet Baby James dedicated 'Fire and Rain' to Patrick, noting that the Democrat had experienced both."

The potential arrival of Sweet Baby James suggests that the inaugural mood is decidedly middle-of-the-road and safe. The Democratic victory isn't a time for being spicy. The Globe had an article devoted to telling the hoi polloi who are actually invited how to dress and "how to comport yourself (stick to small talk on the weather and the Patriots; avoid religion and politics), [and] a people-watching guide (look for James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, and John Updike)."

Bostonist adds a few extra rules. 1. Wear the clean tuxedo T-shirt, not the unwashed one. 2. Don't break out a lighter if Taylor does indeed sing "Fire and Rain." 3. If you must yell "Play some Skynard!" please yell it on the inside. And 4. Don't say to Updike, "I loved your last book, what was it, Until I Find You? Yes!" He might go after you.

But don't let all this discussion of etiquette bring you down. This is supposed to be a happy occasion, not a buttoned-down one, and if you feel like being as flamboyant as a member of the Scissor Sisters, then you should do so!

Shot of 'Sweet Baby James' record cover from allmusic.com.