Tapestry - Carole King

Released in 1971, Tapestry is a groundbreaking Folk/Pop album by the incredible song writer Carol King. King had previously written a number of monster hits for other artists, such as The Loco Motion, I’m Into Something Good and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. King had failed for 10 years to launch her solo career. But that was all to change with this landmark release. Tapestry was a thoughtful, folk flavoured album full of Kings own renditions of her earlier hits as a songwriter in the Brill Building. Home to Burt Bacharach, Jerry Lieber and Neil Sedaka.

Tapestry would remain in the charts for nearly six years and sell over 10 million copies in the United States alone, an estimated 22 million world-wide, remaining her most popular album among fans and critics alike. The album garnered four Grammy Awards including Album of the Year; Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female; Record of the Year ("It's Too Late"); and Song of the Year ("You've Got a Friend")

James Taylor and Joni Mitchell lend their vocals, legendary drummer Russ Kunkel, songwriter Danny Kotchmar and Canadian composer David Campbell further add to the pedigree of this album polished off by having none other than Lou Adler produce the album.

To narrow this album down to stand out tracks when it is packed to the brim with hits is to do it a disservice but we will attempt to. I feel the earth Move is the opening track and was a double A-Side single with Its too late. A shame really as Its Too late eclipsed it in popularity and longevity.

You’ve Got A Friend is best known as a James Taylor hit, however it was released on Tapestry before Taylor released it on his Album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. He had a number 1 hit with the song. Dusty Springfield even recorded a version of the song before Taylor but it remained unreleased until 1999. The song has been covered by hundreds of artists from Jimmy Cliff and Ella Fitzgerald to Michael Jackson and even Vincent Price.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow was a commercial hit for The Shirelles who first released the song in 1960 and it was even recorded by Cher in 1966.

Originally released by Aretha Franklin in 1967 (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman was co wrote with Kings first husband Gerry Goffin. This was a huge hit for Franklin and did not loose any of its magic on this album.

Two songs that have grown since the release of are Home Again and the beautiful lament for distant lovers So Far Away. These two songs further illustrate the power of Kings song writing.

TRACKS

1. I Feel The Earth Move
2. So Far Away
3. It's Too Late
4. Home Again
5. Beautiful
6. Way Over Yonder
7. You've Got A Friend
8. Where You Lead
9. Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
10. Smackwater Jack
11. Tapestry
12. Natural Woman, (You Make Me Feel Like) A