I used to do this on an old blog, and it’s a great way of padding out the posts providing some personal colour.
So, here’s my Album of the Month. You may know it, or you may not. If it’s an old friend, I hope you share my passion. And if it’s a stranger to you, perhaps you’ll check it out and find a new musical chum.
I do listen to music released in the last 5 years, honest I do, but at my age, you tend to fall back onto old favourites far too often.
And this one came out before I was even born.
Released in 1971, “Tapestry” is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Carole King. King made her reputation with ex-husband Gerry Goffin, writing pop classics including “The Loco-Motion” (Little Eva), “Up on the Roof” (The Drifters), “One Fine Day” (The Chiffons) and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (Aretha Franklin).
So she had form before striking out solo.
All the songs on “Tapestry” were written or co-written by King, including a couple of songs she wrote with Goffin that had already been recorded by others.
It’s a classic Laurel Canyon album, a perfect example of the singer-songwriter genre coming out of that little corner of LA in the late 60s and 70s. Joni Mitchell and James Taylor provide backing vocals on a couple of the tracks, main guitarist Danny Kortchmar was an established session musician for Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, David Crosby, Graham Nash and Carly Simon, and the cover photo of King sitting barefoot on the windowsill was taken at her home at 8815 Appian Way in Laurel Canyon.
There are few albums that better encapsulate that period of American rock n roll.
Whilst her songs may have been sung more technically by others – nobody would ever suggest Carole King’s a better singer than Aretha Franklin – there’s a beauty to King’s voice. A fragility. And the songs are sung with true passion.
When she tells you “you’ve got a friend”, you believe it.
So, for your delectation and delight, please find below links to all 12 tracks, courtesy of those nice people at YouTube. Enjoy. (Songs written by Carole King, unless stated otherwise).
Side 1
“I Feel the Earth Move” – 3:00
“So Far Away” – 3:55
“It’s Too Late” (Toni Stern, King) – 3:54
“Home Again” – 2:29
“Beautiful” – 3:08
“Way Over Yonder” – 4:49
Side 2
“You’ve Got a Friend” – 5:09
“Where You Lead” (Stern, King) – 3:20
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” (Gerry Goffin, King) – 4:13
“Smackwater Jack” (Goffin, King) – 3:42
“Tapestry” – 3:15
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (Goffin, King, Jerry Wexler) – 3:59