So, how do you top an album that sold 25 million copies worldwide, won four Grammy Awards, and spent 15 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Magazine Pop Singles Chart? Such was the dilemma Carole King found herself in when she went back into the studio to record the follow-up to Tapestry. The answer, of course, was you don’t, but you can come very close.
Carole King released Music a mere 11 months after Tapestry. Since its release, for better or worse, it has always be associated with her greatest work. When put in that context, it comes up just a little short. When taken on its own merits, it was a brilliant album in its own right, eventually selling four million copies worldwide and topping the United States album charts for three weeks.
It is an intimate album that exudes warmth. Her vocals are passionate and soulful. The music is simple and the lyrics have an intelligence about them. It’s not really a cohesive album as the material travels in a number of musical styles and directions, but most of the songs, when taken individually, have a simple elegance.
I don’t know if I would rate Carole King as one of music’s great pianists, but she gets the job done. Her music on this album is simple and the preciseness of her playing is the perfect backdrop. She is the vocal and instrumental center of the album and her piano and voice go hand in hand.
The best two songs were “Sweet Seasons” and “Song Of Long Ago.” The first was a successful single that was filled with catchy piano hooks and presented the joys of life. The second, with background vocals by James Taylor, was really a folk song as it talked about family, friends, and time passing. It is one of those songs that I would like to ask the artist what she thinks about it 40 years later.
Article comments
1 - Dan
I can remember being very excited to hear new Carole King music back in late 1971. She was just the most amazing singer and writer to me then. What a run of albums she had--the music was just spilling out of her. I still love this album and listen to it frequently. It has always been overshadowed by Tapestry (in many ways one could say that about all of her later work) but when considered on its own merits stands up quite well. Enjoyed your post!