22.6.11

Carole King Early Recordings 1958-66


Woah,this is really an explosion of happy,bubbly 1960s pop - King's early recordings and demos are thrilling in their energy, earnestness and enthusiasm.

Long before "Tapestry" she was well known as a gifted composer,but this information doesn't really register until one hears this generous compilation of rarities recorded a full decade before superstardom - if "Tapestry" was gentle,melodic and melancholic,these early 1960s songs were all irresistibly happy,tuneful and danceable. It is also cute to note where king picked up her influences - doo wop,The Drifters,Neil Sedaka and others somehow mirrored in her music,clearly she tried a little bit of everything.


Downright funny (and good natured) answer song "Oh Neil" that starts this compilation,might suggest that this girl would turn into some gimmicky one-trick Pony and before you know it,King blossoms into irresistible (and instantly recognizable) weaver of magic melodies - surely,this is all based on 1960s girl-group sound but if you like music from this decade,this CD is Holy Grail. With a few over-cooked exceptions,most of these songs are highly enjoyable and King herself sounds much better than demo tracks singers.

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