Tapestry (Legacy Edition)

iTunes Review

Carole King’s Grammy-winning second solo album, 1971’s Tapestry, virtually defined the singer-songwriter of the 1970s. Its warm, intimate tone, the simple, piano-based arrangements and the genuine “living room” feel of the album captured a moment in time. Finally seated centerstage, King unleashed the perfect song cycle, including songs she’d given to others (The Shirelles’ “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” Aretha Franklin “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”), and new compositions destined to become immediate classics (“It’s Too Late,” “So Far Away” and “You’ve Got a Friend,” which would become a hit for James Taylor who played on the album’s sessions). This special edition includes a live solo piano version of the album recorded between 1973 and 1976 in Boston, Columbia, Maryland, NYC’s Central Park and San Francisco). Only “Where You Lead” is not featured; King was not performing that tune live at the time. The additional live versions offer a chance to hear what these songs sounded like to producer Lou Adler when he first auditioned King’s demos. It presents a complete picture of an album that’s become a landmark recording.