Tapestry

Presentación del Álbum

Tapestry was one of the most popular albums of the 1970s, perfectly capturing the intimate, confessional mode of the singer/songwriter genre then in bloom, yet without the mawkishness or posing that later typified the style. Though Carole King had been successful in the '60s as a behind-the-scenes composer of Brill Building pop, her decision to perform her own material brought its craftsmanship and sincerity to the fore. In addition, everything about Tapestry, from its warm, soft rock arrangements to its cover art (which shows King lounging in her apartment in bare feet, a sweater, and jeans), suggested something different. This was the casual, personal music of interiors, without any of the make-up of traditional pop. Some of the songs King penned for others, including "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (a hit for the Shirelles in 1961) and "(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman" (a hit for Aretha Franklin in 1968), are reworked here to fit the album's introspective mood. Yet the newer material is what really shines. "I Feel the Earth Move" works a light, rocking groove, as does "It's Too Late," though with a more plaintive, resigned feel, while "You've Got a Friend" has an unassuming sincerity that gives it the edge over James Taylor's cover. The combination of Tapestry's superior songwriting, startling honesty, and jazzy, mellow, organic instrumentation makes it an appealing, moving listen, even today.

© Anthony Tognazzini /TiVo