Carole King closed the 60’s out writing some super material – for The Monkees and The Myddle Class most notably – but not much out and out soul music. Sure, there were some exceptions like the great “The Right To Cry” or “We Can Help Each Other”. Having ended her album TAPESTRY with a true soul song that King and Goffin wrote in mid-to-late sixties – “A Natural Woman” – and opening her album MUSIC with “Brother Brother” was both an extension and a promise of King’s connection to soul music.
One of things that I so love about CAROLE KING MUSIC is its connection to “soul”. The arrangements still have that marvelous touch of soul singing that is fluid and strong. The background singing cunningly takes over musically in so many of the songs – fills the gap and then discreetly steps back and waits for its response or call. Even James Taylor’s bland singing on “Song Of Long Ago” adds an expressive harmony to King’s song of rekindled friendship. This stepping back, then forward, what with its pushes and pulls are exactly what hold MUSIC together and make it still so exciting to listen to some thirty years later.
By the time the listener arrives at Side One Track Four you re-oh-lize that you are hearing something some kind of wonderful – placed under the spell of Miss Carole King. Her powers are great and she is at the peak of them here. Her piano playing, her singing, the subtle urgency that keeps growing and pushing each song forward is truly amazing and I mustn’t fail to mention that this album is a songwriter’s “how to” book, if there ever was one.
If the song “Brighter” fails to connect with you then I’m sure that you do live in darkness -- Carole King takes your breath away not only with the lyrical content but the singing of the “B” (for beautiful) section --- but WAIT! – she’s back on familiar ground in verse three when she tells us that she herself sometimes feels afraid – and the way Carole King sings THAT word --- afraid.
It’s very soulful, very real, very subtle and unforgettable. Give it a listen.
I’m afraid that this is where MUSIC is so fine. The juxtaposition of joy and fear. Together –alone. Unlighted –ignited. Shy – confident. Uptown-downtown. The power and subtley of the music itself.
Using the musical break of “Brother Brother” as a perfect example, Curtis Amy and Carole King trade instrumental licks so disparate yet cohesively whole. Or “It’s Going To Take Some Time” – so sparse and yet so filled up. The arrangement is perfection. This time it lets Carole King’s double tracked piano do her simple playing justice. King can truly take a song out just as impressively and expressively as she can write an intro. This is a fine, fine example.
MUSIC is bittersweet and reverent too.
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