Tapestry

“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

I'm about 800 reviews into this project, and my wife keeps asking me why on earth do I persist with Dimery's clearly flawed list which regularly infuriates me. The most obvious shortcoming is the under-representation of female artists. Every time I have to suffer through another album of 70s classic rock or a cult psychedelic band or a gangsta rapper or over-rated male songwriter (have you seen how many records Neil Young has on this list?) or some other boring bunch of blokes strutting around showing off their allegedly enormous cocks and badmouthing the women in their lives, I get frustrated that there are so few female artists here. I mean, did you realise that Paul Simon has seven albums on this list and Nina Simone only has one? How does _that_ work? I want to quote here from Jessica Hopper's massively insightful essay 'Emo: Where the girls aren't' compiled in her book 'The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic': "Can you ignore the marginalization of women's lives [and artistry] on the records that line your record shelves in hopes that feigned ignorance will bridge the gulf, because it's either that or purge your collection of everything but free jazz, micro house 12"s and the Mr. Lady Records catalog?" Actually, there are a hundred bits of that essay that I want to quote here, so you should just go read it right now (published under a different title): https://lithub.com/classic-jessica-hopper-emo-comes-off-like-rimbaud-at-the-food-court/ Ms Hopper posits a really great question, and a hard question: how do we justify the exclusion of female voices and perspectives from our listening? I am now going to talk to my straight white male rock fan homies as a straight white male rock fan myself; where are the female artists? where are the queer artists? the artists of colour? the indigenous artists? the differently abled artists? the artists who speak languages other than English? How did the musical canon become so focused on a particularly Western white male perspective that we would deny ourselves of the artistry and perspectives of the diversity of artists? Yes, there are a few examples of those groups in the 1001 list, but let's get real; it's not truly representative. If you are curious, if you want music to show you new and different things, then a diversity of artistic voices provides a wealth of treasures. Things you haven't heard or experienced or thought before. We are all richer for it. There should be, there _must_ be more women on this list. </rant> Ok, now that I have that out of my system, let's talk about Carole King's Tapestry. It is a breath of fresh air to listen to this record. This album is embedded in the basic DNA of the culture. A classic easy listening album. Carole King would be a songwriting legend even if she had never released a single record under her own name. But it is a great pleasure to hear her perform some of her greatest songs herself, in her own voice. The band is relaxed and understated, playing as friends rather than hired guns (even though they were all crack session players). The Sound Opinions show celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tapestry (https://soundopinions.org/show/799) interviewed several band members who, even 50 years later, clearly had fond remembrance of the sessions and their friendship with Carole. That makes a pleasant change from the number of albums I have listened to recently by men who were talented artists but real arseholes. Thanks, Carole, for proving that you can be a successful artist and a decent human being. It restores my faith in humanity. I don't blame Tapestry for the thousands of pale imitators that followed. This is up there with 'Blue' as one of the greatest and most influential singer-songwriter albums of all time. I think Smackwater Jack is a bit out of place on the record, but, other that, it is difficult to fault. This album is warm, human, and comforting. Every home should have a copy.

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

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

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.

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

Oh wow

Beautiful but boring

During this nasty epoch, one of the most punk rock acts is to switch on and sing along to some unrelentingly soft rock about feelings. Bare your soul, spill your guts, strap in some knitwear and hold hands in defiance!

Masterpiece. The chonker cat on the cover is great. Amazingly I've never owned this album. I've listened to it plenty though. There's so much space and breath between the notes, it forces me to allow down and listen. Excellent headphone album. Definitely essential.

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.

I described this as the musical equivalent of a cozy vintage sweater. I'm very familiar with and fond of this album. Carole is a master songwriter and this album is packed with hooks. She puts the "natural" in natural woman - top marks!

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.

Carole King demonstrates that less is more. Her simplicity and direct approach to her music causes the tracks to shine with a straightforward rawness rarely seen nowadays. [Another album from the soundtrack to my childhood]

Wow. I've always heard the name Carol King, but never knew the songs she sang. Some really timeless hits on this album, and the ones I didn't recognize were amazing as well. i definitely will look out for the vinyl of this album. No other notes. This album is perfect. ~ 5 stars My only regret is I only get to put one song into my 1001 playlist. It was a tough decision, but "I Feel the Earth Move" is universally great, so it'll be that

Bangers all around. Even the tired ones you've heard 100 million times hit like a brick when you listen to them on purpose.

Such a good album but should have ended with Tapestry!

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.

Certified 5 star song writing

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

Who said brunettes can't wear jeans?

Great wedding type music

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

Packed with standards, all written and sung by Ms King herself. The story of how she got here is remarkable, and this album is a fantastic achievement, with tentacles into peak Joni and James Taylor to boot. Who doesn't like this? Perhaps the zenith of that sweet sweet Laurel Canyon sound, Dawes notwithstanding.

An early pinnacle for 70's radio-friendly pop. The sheer pop craftmanship by Carole King is timeless. Only a few albums have as mellow and ear-wormy songs as this one. Songwriting masterpiece.

Will still love it tomorrow

I love this album - great variety, solid beats and lyrics

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.

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

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.

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

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

Classic

A cozy and round record. A great voice

KITTY Classic parent jams

I thought I would like this more but it was a bit boring. But the cat on the cover made me like it slightly more.

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.

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.

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

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

No..

I loved this one. It could very well make a lifelong fan out of me.

Carol put her whole coochie in this album, put her uterus in that mfer too.

Absolutely fantastic. This album symbolizes all the best about Laurel Canyon Folk. Melodies are beautiful. Lyrics are simple but powerful. Portrait of a place and an era.

An amazing singer songwriter record from one of the most beautiful souls ever.

This is a classic from someone who made others famous from her songwriting. I never tire of this album.

Bomb

Loved it.

It's one of those pieces of art that's so acclaimed that you think "It can't be that good, can it?" and then you experience it and it's that good. This album is a warm hug. It's freshly baked banana bread. It's a cozy sweater and a cup of tea.

Olihan hieno levy! Useampikin biisi tästä oli entuudestaan tuttu, mutta ei Carole Kingin esittämänä. Piti oikein katsoa, niin hänen kynästään nuo hititkin ovat lähteneet, myös Will You Love Me Tomorrow, jonka toki The Shirelles teki tunnetuksi paljon ennen tätä levyä. Kaunista ja herkkää laulun ja pianon yhteispeliä, bassokin aika kivasti antaa tukea alarekisterissä. Vähän samaa henkeä kun Carly Simonilla, mutta ei ehkä ihan yhtä syvä lauluääni. Toisaalta sitten tuo herkkyyskin kyllä vetoaa minuun. Varma hankinta kyllä, jos joskus tulee vinska sopuhintaan vastaan.

10/10 Didn't expect to like it this music

Magistral, fundamental, su mejor trabajo y es mucho decir de una compositora excepcional. Más de 25 millones de copias que se han ido adquiriendo poco poco y de forma constante a lo largo del tiempo, para un clásico con letras mayúsculas por derecho propio, sin una sola nota de relleno o fisuras. Si la lista fuera de 100 álbumes estaría dentro, sin duda. Es una especie de grandes éxitos que condensa sus mejores temas, algunos de ellos populares en otros artistas como el clásico de Will you still love tomorrow. Portada exquisita, que transmite buen rollo y relajación, con su gato Telémaco desenfocado pero adquiriendo igualmente protagonismo. Recién divorciada, en vez de hundirse se fue a Laurel Canyon y sacó de su chistera lo mejor que tenía, y eso era mucho en el caso de Craol Klein. It's Too Late, I Feel the Earth Move, You´ve got a friend (con James Taylor, en realidad tanto él como Joni Mitchell están por tod el disco), esa joya que es Way over yonder, y el cierre absolutamente genial con (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman ... Una figura esencial en la música, no ya po ser mujer en este mundo, sino por su aportación estrictamente musical, que este disco condensa como pocos.

Enjoyed this. Debated between 4 or 5, but with that many hits on one album I felt like a 5 was warranted. 5/5

Perfect in every way.

Have this album and have always loved it. So beautiful and inspiring. Joyous and melancholic at the same time.

The title song of this album, though not widely known, is one of my go-to sad songs of all time.

I feel the earth move is a banger, and great overall

One of the easiest 5s for me. Absolutely love this album

Beautiful, cool cover, helped me get thru a bad day. FOUR! Maybe five. :)ok.. FIVE!

So many hits in one place! Amazing soulful album with a classic sound that reminds me of listening to the radio on the highway without a care in the world.

Loved it. Absolutely full of great songs and what else could you ask for from an album? Surprisingly groovy at parts with some great guitar licks as well.

This album is truly incredible. Carole's voice is excellent, but the songwriting is just outstanding. Not only are the version of her songs on this record each great listens, think about all of the people who have covered songs on this album. This list includes a series of massive artists: Michael Jackson, Mary J Blige, Alanis Morisette, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, and Barbra Streisand, just to name a few. Taylor's version of You've Got a Friend won a Grammy, as did King for the songwriting. I've never listened to this record fully before and I am amazed that there is not a bad song on here. It gets off to a great start with three very recognizable songs in I Feel the Earth Move, So Far Away, and It's Too Late. Later on we have other songs we've all heard in some version with You've Got a Friend, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, and A Natural Woman, but even the others I'd not heard before like Beautiful and Where You Lead are great tracks. From beginning to end, this is a masterclass in songwriting. A true classic and clearly one of the best albums ever made. 5 stars.

I mean, it's Carole King! And just hit after hit after hit.

It's a good thing this site doesn't use cookies or I would give some serious shit to the 1-star reviewer who said these were covers. This is some grade-A songwriting, and while many of the songs were the wallpaper of 1970s radio, even the ones that were not huge hits (both for her and for other people) are beautiful.

4.5

Absolutely amazing. I knew almost every song, and it was great start to finish

No words. one of the greatest albums of all time.

5/5 no notes

An amazing song writer. Familiar with many of the songs via cover versions - but really enjoyed Carole's versions.

Tapestry I love this album, and as familiar as I am with it, and as globally popular and lauded as it is, it is genuinely remarkable just how many absolutely classic songs there are on here; I Feel The Earth Move, So Far Away, It’s Too Late, You’ve Got A Friend, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, (You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman. Whether they were new for this album or had previously been released by other artists that's a crazy hit rate, but even the ‘lesser’ known songs outside those are superb. Home Again’s careworn wistfulness and Beautiful’s optimism fit perfectly in the middle of side 1, and Way Over Yonder is yet another superb song, the loping piano and guitar fills are excellent. I’ve always loved Where You Lead, yet again a great song. Smackwater Jack feels a bit of an outlier in its Dylan-esque story telling, rather than the personal more confessional subjects elsewhere. I like it’s shuffly feel, but it’s possibly the only misstep. And Tapestry is another beautiful track, and I love the electric piano hummering under the piano. It’s one of those albums that really lives up to its critical standing. I love its simultaneously West Coast Sunshine and East Coast autumnal ambience, with the warmth of the piano and the overall inviting feel of the songs and lyrics. 🪡🪡🪡🪡🪡 Playlist submission: I Feel The Earth Move

Very nice, will listen again

10 out of 10. Exactly what i needed to hear tonight. I miss my wife.

Ай, больно, сука, сердечку...

Lots of bangers on this one, and I learned some of the history of you make me feel

Phenomenal album. I thought that I never heard a song from Carole King as I never took notice of her name but I recognized many tracks in this album. Great vocals, amazing songs, I mean this album had everything that I wanted and didn't expect for it to be that good. Definitely going to be saving this album for future listening.

I knew so many of these songs and didn't realize that I enjoyed them until I listened to this. Pretty easy 5 star album of recognizable hits.

This is a stone cold classic album, the only possible knock on it is its familiarity to me. I've heard to so many times, and 50 years on its songs are still in mainstream culture. But it is just so good. If she didn't record anything she is a HOF songwriter ( the negative review about covers, you did mean others doing her songs didn't you?). But this album is so near on point for everything, the songs, the emotion, the playing and arrangement, the production, the packaging. I could try to go on but I'm not literate to do justice. It’s just a classic, and when played today sound as fresh as ever, and i will happily listen to it again and again. 5 Star

It’s hard to rate this objectively so of course I’m giving it 5 stars. The album just means so much to me so I can’t even pretend I’m assessing this in any real way LOL. Maybe I’ll come back later and write some real thoughts. Okay I’m back. I think what I really noticed on this listen was how much her R&B songwriting roots shine through. She knows how to use syncopation in a way that makes a lot of the tracks really catchy and satisfying even when they’re mellow (”Way Over Yonder”), and there’s something about the way she writes melodies that feels like it would lend itself well to a more sprawling, powerhouse style vocal performance. Carole has said she doesn’t think of herself as much of a singer; she’s primarily a songwriter, who has a good enough voice to function as a vehicle for the writing. I don’t entirely disagree with her (hence why I will never reach for this album’s version of “Natural Woman” despite how beautiful it is, because ultimately the song soars if there’s a voice like Aretha’s to deliver it and there’s just no returning to the original after hearing a version like that). However, there’s something about her voice that I do like for this album, and I think gives these smooth and easy songs a bit more texture, elevating it beyond the “easy listening” category it so often gets assigned. The stories in the songs feel so colorful too; I feel like she paints such a vivid picture and I can see it playing out in my mind in a way I don’t experience with a lot of music. Songs like ”Tapestry” and “Smackwater Jack” feel far out in their folktale nature, while “So Far Away” and “Home Again” evoke the opposite, a feeling of home and comfort. I think this is just one of those albums that will always have something new for me to discover no matter how many times I listen. Fav tracks: It’s Too Late; So Far Away; Way Over Yonder; Home Again

Song after song after song...

Como buena sucker for a cantautora que soy, me escuche este album hace un año y no pare de tenerlo on repeat hasta ahora. Otro mas que me hizo super feliz de ver en el challenge, empiezo: Carole King expresa sus sentimientos de una manera preciosa, luciéndose por su manera de describir sobre una base de instrumental orgánico que sabe ser lo justamente movido o melancólico cuando la anécdota lo requiere. Se nota como de ella surgieron varias de las mas conocidas, como Joni. En mi opinión, los cambios de mood en el álbum están bien equilibrados (ya que suelen venir de a par de canciones) y no tiene skips. Entiendo que no sea everybody's cup of tea pero yo siempre me siento más conectada con la música hecha por una mujer que trata de expresarse. Además esta mujer actúa en Gilmore Girls (y la intro esta en el álbum)!!!! Mejor imposible Las que mas suelo escuchar: It's Too Late, So Far Away, Where You Lead, Tapestry Las que redescubrí con esta listen: Smackwater Jack y el cover de Aretha.

Carole King inventó las letras de canciones. No entiendo cómo hace que cada track suene tan importante. Larga vida a las singer-songwriters. Este álbum me recuerda a ir en transporte público por una ciudad al amanecer y sentirme bien con mi vida, tengo que escuchar más Carole King. Favs: Beautiful, Where You Lead, Tapestry

Uno de los grandes álbumes de singer / songwriter que me faltaban por escuchar. Como era de esperar, consistencia total con vocales muy potentes de principio a fin. Su voz transmite muchas cosas a la vez: cariño, urgencia, liberación; en definitiva, sentimiento. El abanico de emociones que despliega no desatina en ningún momento, las melodías de piano son agradables y fáciles de escuchar, siempre al servicio de su voz. Me pareció que tenía dejes de Stevie Nicks en muchas canciones, así que me gustó el doble 🫢🫢 Entiendo perfectamente que sea un imprescindible. Favs: I Feel the Earth Move, So Far Away, It's Too Late, Where You Lead

Qué discazo por favor. Desde la primera canción hasta el cover de Aretha mantiene la energía y literalmente no te permite dejar de escucharlo hasta que lo terminas. Letras increíbles acompañadas de melodías que entran tan fácil (pero sin ser genéricas ni inofensivas) conforman canciones literalmente perfectas. No he visto Gilmore Girls pero estoy convencido de que Rory y Lorelai le darían 5 estrellas a este disco, como yo. Me siento una chica Gilmore. Gracias por la masterpiece Carole King. A la playlist: honestamente casi todo el disco. Todas me gustaron en cierta medida. Mi favorita creo que sería So Far Away o I Feel the Earth Move.

no skips!

This is one the great music albums of all time. Just fulled with great songs.

I discovered this one recently and have listened to it a ton so it's an easy 5 star for me. It's close, but it's not as good as Madvillainy.

Amazing. She belongs with the greats.

Obviously brilliant. No question it should be on the list. Craftswoman at work.

8.5/10

Funnily enough I think Tapestry is the weakest track here easily. Smackwater Jack is another weak one, but as a whole this is incredible. There's rarely a day I can't listen to this. Highlight: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

Chill, simple and recognized melodies. I enjoyed "Its too late", might play it on piano. Lyrics of Tapestry reminds me of magic tales

Magical!

Yeah this is great. Fantastic songs, great performances, a warm cosy feel to the whole thing. Interesting that Joni Mitchell and James Taylor show up. After enduring an album each by them earlier, it seems like a shame they didn't learn more from the experience.

Best Song: So Far Away I'm not the world's biggest Carole Kane fan but this album is basically her greatest hits and she has plenty. I was surprisingly impressed with this and enjoyed it. 5/5.

This is literally my favorite album of all time. I once got so lost in the sauce listening to it while driving, that I missed every possible exit to where I needed to go. I didn’t realize until I was close to the US Border. I’ve banned myself from listening to this while driving ever since. So Far Away has always been a stand out to me personally, but it feels weird to have a favorite on this album. I’ve got a big smile from beat one of this album with I Feel The Earth Move. I mean, Carole King is literally one of the most prolific songwriters of ALL TIME. If there’s a song you love by an artist in the 60s, she probably wrote that.

I have two copies of this on vinyl. I have a deep love for Carol King. This plays like a greatest hits because you know all of these songs. I enjoyed the hippie dippy melodies and The soft sounds. This is definitely an album I’ve listened to many times and will listen many more. Also, extra points for the kitten on the cover.

Classic album. Top tier for its time and still timeless.

Ugh what an icon. How does something so simple have so much power? Full of heart and life, and a lasting impact over 50 years later. Beautiful

Surprised how many of these I knew

great album from a great songwriter.