I have my moments when I think that it’s not Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson who are the greatest melody writers of the twentieth century, it’s Carole King.
Anyway, happy birthday genius. Here’s a version of one of her songs which I genuinely think should be better known. Jack Nitzsche’s greatest arrangement as well? Quite possibly.
Her legacy is so much more than Tapestry, but that would be enough.
You might like this:
https://www.covermesongs.com/2021/10/cover-classics-tapestry-revisited-a-tribute-to-carole-king.html
I like the songs she wrote with Gerry Goffin better than her own versions, not that they’re bad. This is one of my favourites.
https://youtu.be/sUzs5dlLrm0
And this CD has both her and the artists that recorded her songs
https://www.caroleking.com/news/essential-carole-king-double-cd-uniquely-profiles-carole-king-career-america%E2%80%99s-best-known#:~:text=News-,’The%20Essential%20Carole%20King’%20%2D%20Double%20CD%20Uniquely%20Profiles%20Carole,a%20composer%2C%20musician%20and%20vocalist.
I know what you mean, Dave. I had Carole down in the ‘hippy music parents liked’ (Bread, Carpenters, etc) category, until I took a mid-90s collection of demos out from the library.
Her vocal and that soft 70s production style is an acquired taste to an Indie Kid raised on post-punk.
Maria McKee – I think I prefer this to Dusty’s (which MM took as her template):
Never heard that before, it’s terrific. I would have said that Gipsy Stunfiddler was the gold standard, but MM upping the tempo really works. Makes the others seem a bit laboured.
Hang on a minute. Has no one mentioned this version?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S82sw63uBYM
There’s often a shortage of Lou Rawls these days…
🙂
Hats off!
She’s terrific. Another great melody writer is Jimmy Webb though in fact when I say that I can only think of about 5 of his songs…
Watching her on BBC 4 tonight….yikes!