Following the breakup of her personal and writing relationship with Gerry Goffin, in the mid-1960s Carole King largely retired from music. Raising her daughter, King didn't step back into music until 1967. One of her first moves was to relocate to Los Angeles where she formed the short lived The City with then-husband/bassist Charlie Larkey (King's Tomorrow Records had previously released an album by Larkey's band The Myddle Class) and guitarist Danny Kortchmar (aka Kootchmar).
Signed to Lou Adler's Ode label, the trio debuted with 1969's "Now That Everything's Been Said". Given King wrote or co-wrote all but one selection and handled the majority of lead vocals (Kootch sang "A Man Without a Dream" and "Sweet Home"), musically the set might as well have been King's solo debut. While there were some subtle differences from the sound that was to mark her forthcoming solo career, anyone into "Tapestry" will probably find this set both familiar and enjoyable. So what are the highlights? The opener "Snow Queen" has an unexpected progressive feel; thanks to Kortchmar's guitar "Wasn't Born To Follow" sported an unexpected rock sound, while the title track and "Why Are You Leaving" sounded like unsentimental looks back on her failed marriage to Goffin. Unfortunately, King's stage fright left the trio unable to tour and support the LP. Adding to the problem, with Ode switching its distribution agreement from A&M to Columbia, the set became instantly obscure and didn't see an official reissue for two decades (the fact King apparently didn't want it released didn't help). Understandably, as a result the collection's always carried a hefty price tag. (RDTEN1 RYM)
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Tracklist:
1.Snow Queen
2.I Wasn't Born To Follow
3.Now That Everything's Been Said
4.Paradise Alley
5.Man Without A Dream
6.Victim Of Circumstance
7.Why Are You Leaving
8.Lady
9.My Sweet Home
10.I Don't believe It
11.That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho)
12.All My Time
Great Blog!!,thank you very much for the good music,greetings from Italy.
Thanks the Red Telephone-you must have everything there-maybe not though solo Florence Warner or Shelby Flint?
Hi from Cy
I had this with a b/w cover, must have been a reissue. At the time, I wasn't so much into Carole King as Danny and Charlie (through their Fugs work on Tenderness Junction et al).
Thanks for this: Do you have their work with Leland on 'The Section' album?
Cy from Pck.
Where I wonder do they get their information? Carole King hardly "retired" for a few years since she had a bigger profile via the British Invasion when Hermans Hermits became the first Brits she purposely wrote a sing for.
She wrote songs for the Rising Sons (You're my girl),the Monkees (at least a couple),the Byrds (I wasn't born to follow) and her demos were ofen send to London one of which was Goin'Back (first recorded by Goldie Gingerbread and mysteriosly withdrawn at Carole's request-later the song was recorded by the Byrds and Dusty Springfield who also made Some of your lovin' which by then was also the B side of the single by her on the Tomorrow label) This was in 1966.With Blood Sweat & Tears hitting with Hi De Ho the scene was set for this album on Ode by the City which has yet to appear on CD
Out-freaking-standing.... You have the best blog dialed in for my taste out there and you -still- manage to exceed your already stratospheric standards... Amazing, thanks Leonard!
Major Minor
Hello Cy,
I will look into that one.
Thanks once again Leonard, I've been curious about this one ever since I saw it change hands for quite a price some time ago. The poster who mentioned a b&w cover, that would be a bootleg.
Here's a request that's pretty obscure that I'd be surprised anyone would have it but here goes. Chris Darrow (Kaleidscope, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, session player) issued an album called "Artist Proof" on Fantasy in '71. This is the only one of his albums not on CD, and I've never heard it. If any readers stumble across this who could help, please do!
amazing blog and still going strong I see. We are proud to have listed you so long at All Music, All Blogs. Would you want to place a link back to us? Would be very much appreciated, naturally.
Anyway, thank you for your blog and best wishes also for 2010
Amo.
All Music, All Blogs
http://music-favourites.blogspot.com/
One of my all time favourites,this album!
C`mon Leonard,so much music unposted,hurry up!
We`re all gonna die some day,shame that we don`t have a chance to hear some good lesser known music!
Dave
thanks - steve
Hi from Cy
Listening to Carole this evening: her voice hit a string of memory, I was back as if listening to her Tapestry back then when I lived in a caravan and had plans to extend the caravan outwards (living space) and create our Garden of Eden.....well the garden got done, veg and flowers.....alas the 1970's got in the way, we left the caravan and moved into a semi-detached....ah but I found the sunlight of that afternoon was in her ringing tones on this album tonight....
Thanks for the share
Cy from Pck.
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