Tapestry
Carole King
1971
Album Summary
Tapestry is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Carole King, released in 1971 on Ode Records and produced by Lou Adler. It received four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year. The lead singles from the album—"It's Too Late" and "I Feel the Earth Move"—spent five weeks at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. Tapestry has been certified 14× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in the US, and has sold an estimated 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. In 2000, it attained number 74 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums, and in 2020, it was ranked number 25 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Wikipedia“Tapestry” by Carole King (1971) Very familiar with this artist and album. Isn’t everyone? “Tapestry” is superb. Stands the test of time. Soulful, well crafted songs with highly evocative lyrics and creative, forward looking melodies. The recording quality is first rate, with brilliant, properly balanced contributions from studio musicians. Fine touch in the mix. Piano work is iconic, even if it doesn’t demonstrate a studied virtuosity. Lead vocal, likewise, perfectly delivers the feel and meaning of each composition, without exemplary power or range. Excellent pitch control and diction, even on blues bends and subdued passages. The tracks are arranged well on this album, taking the listener on a journey that is definitely laid out in two major sections, Side 1 and Side 2. This a skill that’s rather under appreciated in this era when one doesn’t have to ‘flip the record over’. I have no wisecracks about this album. I’m not worthy. 5/5
9/10. Was really enjoyable to listen to throughout, had a nice cat on the cover.
Surpringly amazing album. Love the "spread out" feel to the music. Instruments are independent but work well together. Subtle in parts but very balanced
Heard this for the first time in full during Lockdown 1 (had obviously heard most of the songs on their own) and didnt realise how many songs were Carol King's! I knew she sang "You've got a friend" but wouldn't have been able to put another song to her catalogue if you has asked me. She was obviously a HUGE influence on the next generation of female artists but I never noticed many citing her in the same way as, say, Joni Mitchell or Aretha Franklin. Anyway - point is, I was massively impressed with this album. 5/5 easily for me.
This is a pretty remarkable album. It's absolutely choked with monster hits. The thing is, most of these hits I know because of other artists covering them. I don't think anyone can deny the sheer songwriting talent of Carole King. She's incredible. But every song is delivered in such a soft, chill manner that they rarely just GRAB you. But, ultimately, that's ok. The album feels whole in a way that very few albums do. Like it's all part of one, big... well, tapestry. Great songwriting, good performances. Overall, a pretty killer album.
Very solid album. Great cover art. Lots of stuff you've probably heard before that's been covered a hundred times.
Listening to this with a good pair of headphones reveals a masterpiece in mixing/balance - audio effortlessly fades in and out/cross channel. This album is amazing, front to back
beautiful: the carole king musical caroline would really like this album
Simply beautiful, I can't believe I've never heard of this album before. Absolutely love it, an easy 5 stars. What a gorgeous voice, and every song is worth listening to.
Listening to this album spurred me to look up more info about Carole King. It was very interesting to find out how many hits she wrote. It seems like Sia took a page out of her book
For someone I’d never listened to this was excellent. Both the lyrics and her voice were incredible. Put me in a good mood listening to it.
Unbelievable album filled with hits. Now I know the sound of Carole King
Never listened to this from start to finish before. I prefer these original versions to many of the more overly produced and polished versions. A couple of the songs are of a much lower standard but it would be churlish to give this anything lower than 5.
Love the voice on this woman. A few standout tracks, but the sound was overall a little samey throughout.
На одном дыхании послушал. Думаю, что это хорошая характеристика и альбом явно заслужил свою оценку.
Would say the drawbacks are a general solemnity and the sparsity of the arrangements, except I can get showier uptempo renditions of similar or identical material elsewhere, so I wouldn't have this any other way. Complex. Brooding. Full-blooded. And gloriously ordinary. Which damn sure means it's every bit as beautiful as she feels.
This album is so hugely popular. My mother played it almost constantly. I'm probably going against the grain to say it, but I just hate her voice. The best songs on the album are the covers, but I mean, how you going to outdo Aretha? How you gonna beat the Shirelles? James Taylor did You've Got a Friend so much better. Everything that King sings is like she jumped the shark.
Siempre se me hizo sobrevalorado, pero volviéndolo a escuchar es rolón tras rolón. no me mata, pero fácilmente es un 5
This is very comforting, like a 90s romcom soundtrack or an album I'd put on and listen to around the house. Maybe it's because I associate her with Gilmore Girls. I recognized quite a few songs, too. Carole's one talented lady.
Timeless, easy listen great vocals. You got a friend is a classic but I also loved tapestry and way over yonder. Great stuff!
the heart. Telling compelling stories with each song. The music is a great accompaniment, never overshadowing her great vocals. She is one of the greatest song writers in history and her credits could easily fill all time lists. I cannot say enough good about this album(and King herself). Definitely a must listen.
One of my all time favorite albums. I feel the earth move has been ringing in my head since getting this pick.
I know this first song! I don’t think I knew it was by Carole King. I feel like I’ve heard of her but didn’t really know anything about her. And I know the second one, too. I guess she’s a pop queen of the 70s.
wicked flute, sax, rhodes --> jazz influences incredible vocals wow way over yonder is slapper
Je connais deja tres bien cet album et je l’ai ecoute des dizaines de fois. 5*
Simply beautiful. I think this album is essential to any vinyl collection.
I had a wonderful time walking around abbey fields listening to this album in the sunshine after work. Beautiful. I was surprised at how many of the songs I already knew. I must have heard this before in a former life.
Great album! 4.5 stars! Rounded to a 5. Wikipedia says Soft Rock but I would've said R&B. Carole King's voice is incredibly solid, and she does really push herself and show it off. Mostly quite energetic groovy songs, with some slow and intimate ballads that go well with her voice. A couple of these songs have stood the test of time. "You've Got a Friend" is like a complete emotional blanket. "Way Over Yonder" in 6/8 is really decent (+sexy sax solo) but my favourite may be "I Feel The Earth Move" as the rhythm section (gtar, bass, piano, drums) all get to play great melodies and solos.
Pretty incredible, honestly. Took me a couple listens - less attention can make this album seem a little slow (read: my other reviews on singer-songwriter albums), but I loved this. The tunes are so catchy, she's got a superb voice, and each piece fits well with the next. A 4.5 I'm giving a 5 because what the hell Saved: It's Too Late, Way over Yonder, Tapestry, (You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman
I definitely did not see this coming. This album is amazing. I have always been aware of this record, but I’d never actually listened to it. Perhaps it was good that I didn’t, I’m not sure you get me would have appreciated it. As it stands, this is a great album. It absolutely scratches that 70’s itch that I’ve developed. This is an absolute 5
The ultimate singer-songwriter album of its time. It’s flawless and testament to Carole King’s incredible talent.
Tapestry is like All Things Must Pass, all of those ideas just needing a canvas to present themselves. Soulful and conversational lyrics, with blues-y and approachable music throughout.
Wow! I had vaguely heard of Carole King as a famous songwriter, but never checked out her own recordings. This one is fantastic. All the songs are King's, and all delivered amazingly. Two of the songs were co-written with her ex-husband when they were a writing team, and two of the songs had already been hits for other artists. I was expecting the softer folkier vibes, but this album also has a strong R&B/soul feel, which I might have expected given that Aretha Franklin and The Shirelles were the artists who already recorded two of the songs. I'm not a fan of Aretha's style, and I actually prefer King's version "You Make Me Feel". In essence, this is just a great album from start to finish. Perfect 5.
This one of a handful of albums I do not need to hear again to know how important it is, how much I love it, why it's one of the best-selling albums ever, and why it's absolutely essential on a list like this. Her songwriting, her recording and performance of the material, the album's cultural significance and impact on music that followed, and so on. That, and by all accounts, she seems to be an absolutely wonderful person (I even walked right by her when I lived in L.A. and she gave me a big smile! Yep, I'm totally star-struck ;). Five stars in every way!
Brilliant, best album yet. Somehow, an album that combines soul, blues, soft rock, and folk, none of which I would say I particularly like, manages to really grab me. Every song that comes on seems to be my favourite
I actually loved the album, i though I wasn't gonna love it, but i do. It's really a good one, a perfecto folk-alternative rock album, I really liked it. It's one of my favourites since.
This was a real gem. Hadn't heard of her before (though had heard a few of the songs).
Album Song Ranking: So Far Away Way Over Yonder (H.M.) You've Got a Friend (H.M.) Where You Lead Natural Woman Beautiful Will You Love Me Tomorrow I Feel the Earth Move Home Again Tapestry It's Too Late Smackwater Jack Additional Comments:
This album was great! None of the songs missed the mark for me; I enjoyed them all. This is a masterpiece, honestly. 5/5 stars.
Feels extremely intimate and personal, most of the songs bang too. The instruments are all captured in the mix so well too, great album!
Sonically pleasing. Very easy to listen and enjoy. Nice vocals accompanied by the minimal instrumentals is a perfect combination for this record. Surprisingly doesn't sound as dated as other albums recorded around the same time because of its stripped-down approach of soft vocals and soft instrumentals. The whole record is a cohesive and smooth body of work, with no abrupt stops and changes.
Wow, i knew nothing about carole king or this album and i thought most of these songs were originally by other people. I dont know what to say about this collection of songs outside of the fact its pretty near pefect.
Some folks put on Pink Floyd and watch Wizard of Oz. Some folks put on Carole King and watch Gilmore Girls. I’ve done both.
I feel like I use, "an impressive blend of [insert genres here]," whenever I'm praising an album, but I think this album is a great mix of a number of genres I wasn't really expecting. Rock, folk, blues, gospel... I can see James Taylor's influence on this record (and he also plays on it, so that makes sense), as well as a song I could see Creedence Clearwater Revival doing ("Smackwater Jack"). I can see all of the praise for this record: I don't think I can find a bad song. King is a phenomenal songwriter and it shines through on this record. Definitely gonna give this record a spin when it gets cooler out; a very fall/winter-mood record. Favorite tracks: "So Far Away", "Home Again", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?"
I don't even have to listen to this. It's on constant rotation and is a stellar 5
I'm thinking of a visit to the dentist long ago. He was getting ready to do some major drilling, and he asked me if I wanted to listen to any music. Tapestry is the album I picked. I found it warm and soothing in that unpleasant moment, and it's still an album I turn to when I want to feel comforted. Stressful day at work, Tapestry. Bummed out by current events, Tapestry. Having a moment when I'm stuck in my feelings, Tapestry. Even the cover... look at Carole King in the window, like a friend who is there to listen to you. In its way, this album feels like an old friend, as much as an album can. Tapestry has been there with me for so many years and speaks to me in a way few albums do. I think a lot of women, a lot of people, feel the same way. King's vocals and arrangements are understated, heartfelt, relatable. The songwriting is warm, earnest, intimate. The production is flawless. It's a beautiful album, long one of my favorites. Fave songs: It's Too Late, Home Again, So Far Away, Beautiful, Way Over Yonder
I associate this album with a working mum in the 1980s, coming home from her corporate job, making dinner for the family, seeing her kids to bed, then relaxing with a glass of wine and her Carole. And for a long time, this was a bad thing, but maybe I've aged into this demographic, if not the exact lifestyle, because I'm enjoying this album. It has Cazza's strong Brill Building pop sensibility filtered through her chilled-out lady vibes. An album full of pop classics.
A classic from the singer/songwriter era. Some would say it is THE singer/songwriter album. The first time I've listened to the album from front to back but of course I am already intimately familiar with at least 6 or even 8 songs on this 12 song album...that's pretty amazing in itself. The triumvirate of the first three songs...I feel The Earth Move, So Far Away and It's Too Late is incredible. Then the middle (side 2?) has You've Got A Friend, Where You Lead and Will You Love Me Tomorrow. And then we end with the gorgeous title track (which I was not familiar with) and then the epic; (....) A Natural Woman. It really is quite remarkable the number of songs this song has contributed to popular music...standards in the true sense of the word. Bravo Carole! 5 stars
What a banger of an album. This has every right to be one of the best-selling classic albums of all time just because it sounds so good. King's voice, songwriting, and quintessential 70s sound all come together to make every song enjoyable. Fav songs: I feel the earth move, its too late, way over yonder, where you lead
Songs that stand the test of time, really put Carole on the map as more than just a songwriter.
Snow is cold, rain is wet and my dick is rock solid. One of my favourite things to do when it snows is to go outside and pretend it's the first time I've ever seen it, just to see how people react. They usually don't care, so I just shrug, tackle them to the ground and sometimes molest them. Then every time it snows after that, they too pretend to themselves it's the first time they've seen it, to try and block out the molestation from their psyche.
I mean, just insanely good. Bangers only. Outstanding, top top top top stuff.
Holy crap, I had heard many of these songs before and had no idea they were all by one person, let alone on the same album. Incredible.
Wow! An excellent album that completely blows a lot of the other female singer songwriters of the era out of the water. Tough getting Aretha and Carole back-to-back, since it makes what would be a great rendition of Carole singing "You Make Me Feel" seem incredibly pedestrian in comparison. That's not Carole's fault.
Wow, wat een relaxte muziek. Goed gezongen ook! Heel wat bekende nummers zelfs!! Mijn favorieten is "It's Too Late", maar de verrassing is "Where You Lead". *****
Another album falls in my comfort zone! All those wonderful songs, oh! It's Too Late! Will You Love Me Tomorrow! A Natural Woman!
One of my mom's favorite albums so I've listened to it countless times. But that's okay, but it's great. Seriously, first track to last, it's a killer album. I can't think of a thing on it that I would change.
One of the best records I took from my parents. I have no idea how many times I listened to this growing up.
Another one of those iconic albums that exist in the fringes until you actually give it the focus it deserves and realize it's been in your heart through the airwaves from...ever. Astonishing voice and amazing display of song writing.
This is incredible. So wholesome and at times so heart wrenching. I LOVE her songwriting style, and it's a style that shines through after just 2 or 3 songs. So blunt and yet not simplistic at all. Gorgeous melodies and songs overall.
An amazing album, from lyrics to mixing to composition truly a fantastic listening experience!