Tuesday 8th December

I discovered Carole King, along with almost everyone else I knew, in 1971 when her superb album ‘Tapestry’ was number one for months and actually stayed in the top 40 for almost six years.  But her debut ‘Writer’ which flopped a year earlier is just as good and remains my favourite of all her records.  But she actually started as a songwriter; along with husband Gerry Goffin she worked in the Brill Building with Neil Sedaka and Neil Diamond, and wrote hits all through the sixties including ‘Will you Still love Me Tomorrow’ for the Shirelles, ‘The Locomotion’ for Little Eva, ‘Take Good Care of my Baby’ for the Drifters, ‘I’m Into Something Good’ later recorded by Herman’s Hermits and ‘Natural Woman’ for Aretha, along with many others.  The Beatles even recorded ‘Chains’, which she co-wrote, on their own debut.

Divorced from Goffin, Carole moved to Laurel Canyon where she met Joni and James Taylor amongst others, who encouraged her to sing her own songs, which along with her beautiful piano playing became a huge hit.  It was everywhere, the record of choice at all those fabulous parties we went to in the Seventies; as the lights grew dim and the crowds thinned out, we would settle back with a drink and a joint (well, I might have puffed one or two) and listen to Carole King sing her beautiful songs.  She has continued making albums but rarely appears live which has resulted in diminishing record sales over the years.  Her reputation remains largely as having the most successful female album for over twenty years, until Madonna came along.  No contest; who remembers Madonna?  But I believe that Carole King songs will still be played and ‘Tapestry’ will remain a favourite in many record collections for years to come.  Mine included.