Carole King - Tapestry-Legacy Edition (2-CD)
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Free Music Notes for Tapestry-Legacy Edition (2-CD)
Free Music Review: Tapestry Live --Disk #2 Justifies Owning Yet Another Copy of Classic
Hit: 5 Stars
When I first read that Sony was releasing yet another version of my all-time favorite album, "Tapestry," I moaned and groaned. I knew I would HAVE TO buy it yet again. Afterall, I've purchased the album (at least 3 times), the cassette, the 8 track, the MasterSound album, the 1987 CD, the gold-bit CD, and the 1999 remaster CD-- 9 copies of the basically the same album.
With this new 2008 "Legacy Edition," a 2nd disk containing all of the songs performed live in 1973 and 1976 was the latest "hook" to rack up more sales. I snuck out of work to purchase it -- my heart racing-- as if I were headed to purchase a brand new CD, rather than something that I've listened to so many times, it's become part of my very core. Packaging was indeed befitting a "deluxe" reissue, but, the most surprising thing I would discover is just how great most of the live tracks are: Ms. King's voice is at its strongest and some of these versions, most notably, "Way Over Yonder," are not only better than any prior version, but, they take on all-new power. While the recorded version of this song was always my least favorite (if such a thing could really ever be said) of the 12 tracks on the original, it's as if you are listening to a freshly written song hearing this latest impassioned liveversion. The same can be said of the versions of "You've Got a Friend" and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" -- Carole's singing and piano playing is perfect.
Perhaps the secret lies in the fact that Hank Cicalo, the master engineer of the original studio version of the album, was chosen by Lou Adler to record these live versions.
I don't know why Lou Adler opted not to release these live tracks earlier --inferior live versions of some of these songs appeared on her Carnegie Hall live CD (1996), but, these versions are ther real thing.
So until the next version of this classic album is release --perhaps in 2021 -- it's 50 th anniversary -- these live tracks will keep me satisfied.
Free Music Review: Finely Woven
Hit: 5 Stars
This landmark album from the 70's is one that my older sister owned and played endlessly, using seemingly to tap into an innermost emotional well that only teen-aged girls seem to possess. I just remember that I thought every single song was great and how personal "Tapestry" sounded to my young ears. Now, almost 40 years later, that weird jumble of teen hormones having long dissipated and my sister well into adulthood, I cam listen to Carole King with an experienced heart and mind, and it holds up as a classic from the era.
"Tapestry" was one of the first albums of the singer/songwriter era that held together as an entity, and now rings pure as a dozen songs that meld into a seamless whole. King had already honed her skills as an ace commercial songwriter with husband Gerry Goffin, and this was her coming out party. As such, the twelve songs on "Tapestry" run the gamut of the confessional "It's Too Late" to the committal "You've Got a Friend" to emancipation ("Natural Woman"). It's a testament to the staying power of "Tapestry" that half of this album became hits for Carole and others (especially James Taylor's classic version of "Friend"), and the others are almost instantly recognizable.
It was that identifiable quality that raised "Tapestry" and, by association, King as a solo artist. It also opened doors for the likes of Carly Simon, Joan Armatrading and Taylor. The second disc of this set includes 11 of the album's songs recorded on various tours (missing is "Where You Lead"), with just King alone at the piano. It makes this double set a keeper for those of us that have let "Tapestry" slip from our grasp over the years.
Free Music Review: STILL A CLASSIC AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Hit: 5 Stars
Unlike the other two reviewers who have posted here so far, I do not own the 1999 remaster of "Tapestry", so I have no problems with this incarnation. I do own the "Natural Woman" 2-cd set, which contains the entire album, and the sound on this edition is far superior. There's a lot more depth and clarity. But the main reason for my buying this was to hear the second CD of live versions. It's really amazing to hear these songs accompanied by Carole's piano only. It makes you realize that when you have songs this strong melodically and lyrically, you don't need a lot of frills added. I have one minor complaint--they list four concerts that the songs were taken from, but they don't specify which songs are from which concerts. I was in attendance at the 1973 Central Park concert, so I'd be interested to know what songs were included from that classic show. But that's a minor quibble. This is a wonderful edition of a landmark moment in pop music, and at such a reasonable price, it's well worth the investment. Carole's soulful and heartfelt singing is always welcome to these ears. Hey Sony, how about releasing newly remastered versions of Carole's other albums? : )Free Music Review: Feel the earth move
Hit: 5 Stars
As the search for vinyl turned from a romp to the local music store to a search in the antique mall. I realized it was time to switch to CD's. With limited space and no future for many old vinyl friends it was time to round them up and release them to the local used book store. I cried and could only hope they would find a home that would cherish them.
It did not take long before I realized I missed them. So now I spend my days waiting for them to be reincarnated. Some that return are so tinny in sound that I can not believe they were that way to begin with. Others are so mangled that the original pattern of tunes is lost for ever.
It may be the result of time but I found this album to be all I remember and then some. It is well worth the purchase.
"Tapestry" is the best representation of Carol King and her music. If you only buy one, this is it. And you will feel the earth move under your feet.
Carole King - Her Greatest Hits: Songs Of Long Ago
Free Music Review: Brilliant, refreshing, genuine, and highly enjoyable
Hit: 5 Stars
Carol King is brilliant. The live versions are excellent and in the same sequence as the popular album, adding a degree of predictability to the non-produced live versions. The performances are - at times - a bit tentative in an innocent way, and give a genuine impression of an up and coming superstar who has launched a promising career but still has big things to come. It presents a refreshing view that makes her music more "real" than the pasturized version we're all familiar with. I highly recommend it to anyone who grew up "in the era." You will not be disappointed.