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Tapestry

Carole King

1971
Tapestry
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

Rating

3.86

Votes

9503
Genres
Pop
Rock
Folk
Singer Songwriter

Reviews

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Wed Mar 03 2021
5

“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

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Thu May 20 2021
5

Surpringly amazing album. Love the "spread out" feel to the music. Instruments are independent but work well together. Subtle in parts but very balanced

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Tue Nov 17 2020
5

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

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Fri May 14 2021
5

9/10. Was really enjoyable to listen to throughout, had a nice cat on the cover.

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Fri Mar 05 2021
5

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.

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Tue Feb 02 2021
4

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.

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Wed Dec 21 2022
1

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.

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Wed Nov 04 2020
5

Very solid album. Great cover art. Lots of stuff you've probably heard before that's been covered a hundred times.

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Thu Jul 01 2021
5

Certified 5 star song writing

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Sat Nov 14 2020
5

beautiful: the carole king musical caroline would really like this album

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Mon Feb 22 2021
5

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.

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Fri Jan 22 2021
5

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

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Thu Mar 18 2021
5

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.

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Tue Mar 16 2021
5

Unbelievable album filled with hits. Now I know the sound of Carole King

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Fri Mar 05 2021
5

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.

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Mon Sep 18 2023
4

Who said brunettes can't wear jeans?

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Wed Jan 20 2021
3

Love the voice on this woman. A few standout tracks, but the sound was overall a little samey throughout.

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Fri Apr 08 2022
3

На одном дыхании послушал. Думаю, что это хорошая характеристика и альбом явно заслужил свою оценку.

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Tue Sep 20 2022
3

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.

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Sat Jun 03 2023
3

If you’re a guy over 40, chances are you’ve had at least one girlfriend that made sure you heard this record before you die.

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Thu Nov 02 2023
3

Overall A really mellow oldtimey album with some upbeat and melancholy songs its good to put on the background. i give it 3/5 its good but not extraordinary I feel the Earth move - I really dig this vibe, i like the pace of the song a lot, and the instruments the lyrics are not bad either. So far away - Good bass, melancholy vibes but not enough for a sad song, still really good. It's too late - I feel like the vibe don't match the lyrics but i still like them both, Lyrics are what stands out the most tho. Beautiful - Really cute song I like the vibe and lyrics. --"At this point i start to get the formula of the album all the songs have sort of same pace to them its not bad they all work in their own ways"-- Way Over Yonder - We slow Down quite a bit, i love the backing voices and the piano on this one, the solo with the trumpet is nice too, i feel like here i can truly appreciate her voice more. You've got a friend - Sort of the same vibe as Beautiful but turned into love song (or friendship song), we are keeping this sort of powerful slow tempo which i think suits her better. Where you lead - Its the same song as You've got a friend but more upbeat, and faster tempo, i prefer You've got a friend over this one. Will you still love me tomorrow? - I didn't really like this one not much to say about it, slow song with sad lyrics. Smackwater Jack? - I love the piano on this one and the swing vibe it gives its well put together and the story in interesting and fun, strong old west vibes. Tapestry - The main song of the album, I like the lyrics a lot but not much else, of course that is the main selling point. A Natural Woman - I like the song but it felt the same as others in this album

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Thu Nov 12 2020
5

Siempre se me hizo sobrevalorado, pero volviéndolo a escuchar es rolón tras rolón. no me mata, pero fácilmente es un 5

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Thu Jan 28 2021
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.

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Fri Jan 15 2021
5

Timeless, easy listen great vocals. You got a friend is a classic but I also loved tapestry and way over yonder. Great stuff!

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Wed Jan 13 2021
5

Love it, I feel the earth move and way over yonder are great!

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Wed Jan 20 2021
5

Very good. Lots of song I know but didn't know it was her.

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Tue Feb 23 2021
5

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.

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Sun Jan 17 2021
5

One of my all time favorite albums. I feel the earth move has been ringing in my head since getting this pick.

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Wed Feb 24 2021
5

one of the fairy godmothers of rock and roll

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Fri Feb 26 2021
5

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.

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Fri Jan 15 2021
5

wicked flute, sax, rhodes --> jazz influences incredible vocals wow way over yonder is slapper

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Mon Jan 18 2021
5

Fire piano and vocals, an absolute peach of a classic

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Fri May 21 2021
5

She's an awesome song writer too.

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Fri Feb 12 2021
5

Je connais deja tres bien cet album et je l’ai ecoute des dizaines de fois. 5*

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Wed Jan 27 2021
5

Songwriting Excellence, full of soul

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Thu Jan 21 2021
5

Simply beautiful. I think this album is essential to any vinyl collection.

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Thu Mar 18 2021
5

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.

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Mon Feb 01 2021
5

Let this float around the room in the morning

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Tue Feb 02 2021
5

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.

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Mon Jun 21 2021
5

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

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Fri Mar 19 2021
5

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

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Tue Mar 09 2021
5

The ultimate singer-songwriter album of its time. It’s flawless and testament to Carole King’s incredible talent.

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Tue Mar 09 2021
5

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.

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Sun Jun 13 2021
5

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.

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Fri Jul 02 2021
5

So very nice and mellow. 5 stars!

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Sun May 02 2021
5

This is a classic album. No skips and each song is timeless.

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Tue May 11 2021
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!

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Thu Apr 08 2021
5

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

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Sat Mar 27 2021
5

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.

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Fri May 28 2021
5

This was a real gem. Hadn't heard of her before (though had heard a few of the songs).

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Thu Apr 15 2021
5

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:

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Sat Jun 12 2021
5

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.

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Mon May 10 2021
5

Feels extremely intimate and personal, most of the songs bang too. The instruments are all captured in the mix so well too, great album!

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Thu Jun 17 2021
5

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.

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Wed Jun 23 2021
5

A true classic and as enjoyable today as the day it was recorded.

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Mon Jul 26 2021
5

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.

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Wed Aug 18 2021
5

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.

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Thu Aug 19 2021
5

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?"

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Mon Aug 23 2021
5

I don't even have to listen to this. It's on constant rotation and is a stellar 5

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Sun Aug 29 2021
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

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Tue Oct 05 2021
5

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.

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Fri Oct 08 2021
5

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

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Tue Oct 12 2021
5

I was very pleasantly surprised. This is cool.

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Tue Oct 19 2021
5

Tapestry is a perfect album. That's all there is to say about that.

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Thu Oct 21 2021
5

Basically a perfect pop album. Not a weak track here.

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Fri Oct 22 2021
5

Carole King bangs. This album was amazing.

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Sat Oct 23 2021
5

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

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Tue Oct 26 2021
5

Songs that stand the test of time, really put Carole on the map as more than just a songwriter.

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Tue Oct 26 2021
5

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.

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Wed Oct 27 2021
5

I mean, just insanely good. Bangers only. Outstanding, top top top top stuff.

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Thu Oct 28 2021
5

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.

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Fri Nov 05 2021
5

One of my mom's favorites. Classic

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Mon Nov 15 2021
5

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.

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Wed Nov 17 2021
5

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". *****

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Thu Nov 18 2021
5

I mean, come on. Carole King is the goat

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Thu Nov 25 2021
5

Another album falls in my comfort zone! All those wonderful songs, oh! It's Too Late! Will You Love Me Tomorrow! A Natural Woman!

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Wed Dec 01 2021
5

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.

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Wed Dec 01 2021
5

One of the best records I took from my parents. I have no idea how many times I listened to this growing up.

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Thu Dec 02 2021
5

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.

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Thu Dec 09 2021
5

Very difficult to find anything wrong with this album.

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