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Carole King Biography
Review The Artist (10)
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk
Carole Klein, 9 February 1942, Brooklyn, New York, USA. A proficient pianist from the age of four, King was a prolific songwriter by her early teens. When friend and neighbour Neil Sedaka embarked on his recording career, she followed him into the New York milieu, recording demos, singing back-up and even helping arrange occasional sessions. As a student at Queen's College, New York, she met future partner and husband Gerry Goffin whose lyrical gifts matched King's grasp of melody. She completed a handful of singles, including "The Right Girl" (1958), "Baby Sittin'", "Queen Of The Beach" (1959), prior to recording "Oh Neil" (1960), a riposte to Sedaka's "Oh Carol". Although not a hit, her record impressed publishing magnate Don Kirshner, who signed the Goffin/King team to his Aldon Music empire. They scored notable early success with the Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"), Bobby Vee ("Take Good Care Of My Baby") and the Drifters ("Up On The Roof") and were later responsible for much of the early output on Dimension Records, the company's in-house label. The duo wrote, arranged and produced hits for Little Eva ("The Loco-Motion") and the Cookies ("Chains" and "Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby)") while a song written with Bobby Vee in mind, "It Might As Well Rain Until September", provided King with a solo hit in 1962.
Although this memorable and highly evocative song barely reached the US Top 30, it climbed to number 3 in the UK. However, two follow-up singles fared less well. The Goffin/King oeuvre matured as the 60s progressed, resulting in several sophisticated, personalized compositions, including "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin), "Goin' Back" (Dusty Springfield and the Byrds) and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (the Monkees). The couple also established the short-lived Tomorrow label, but their disintegrating marriage was chronicled on King's 1967 single, "The Road To Nowhere", the year they dissolved their partnership.
King then moved to Los Angeles and having signed to Lou Adler's Ode label, formed the City with ex-Fugs duo Danny Kortchmar (guitar) and Charles Larkey (bass). (The latter became King's second husband.) The trio's lone album, Now That Everything's Been Said, included the artist's versions of "I Wasn't Born To Follow" and "That Old Sweet Roll (Hi De Ho)", covered, respectively, by the Byrds and Blood, Sweat And Tears. King began a solo career in 1970 with Writer, before fully asserting her independence with Tapestry. This radiant selection contained several of the singer's most incisive compositions, notably "You've Got A Friend", a US number 1 for James Taylor, "It's Too Late", a US chart-topper for King, and "So Far Away".
Unlike many of her former production-line contemporaries, King was able to shrug off teen preoccupations and use her skills to address adult doubts and emotions. Tapestry has now sold in excess of 15 million copies worldwide and established its creator as a major figure in the singer-songwriter movement. However, the delicate balance it struck between perception and self-delusion became blurred on Music and Rhymes And Reasons, which were regarded as relative disappointments.
Each set nonetheless achieved gold disc status, as did Fantasy, Wrap Around Joy (which contained her second US number 1, "Jazzman") and Thoroughbred. The last marked the end of King's tenure at Ode and she has since failed to reap the same commercial success. Her first release of the 80s, Pearls, comprised "classic" Goffin/King songs, a release which many interpreted as an artistic impasse. Certainly King subsequently pursued a less frenetic professional life, largely restricting her live appearances to fund-raising concerns. In the early 90s she had relocated to Ireland. Her recordings also became more measured and if Speeding Time, Colour Of Your Dreams or City Streets lacked the cultural synchronization Tapestry enjoyed with the post-Woodstock audience, her songwriting skills were still in evidence. In the USA, Tapestry exceeded 10 million copies sold in July 1995.
After a number of years keeping a relatively low profile, King released Love Makes The World on her own Rockingale label. This album, probably her finest collection of songs since Tapestry, proves King now has the experience of age and a voice that has grown stronger.
DISCOGRAPHY: Writer (Ode 1970)***, Tapestry (Ode 1971)****, Music (Ode 1971)***, Rhymes And Reasons (Ode 1972)***, Fantasy (Ode 1973)****, Wrap Around Joy (Ode 1974)***, Really Rosie (Ode 1975)***, Thoroughbred (Ode 1976)***, Simple Things (Capitol 1977)**, Welcome Home (Avatar 1978)**, Touch The Sky (Capitol 1979)**, Pearls (Songs Of Goffin And King) (Capitol 1980)**, One To One (Atlantic 1982)**, Speeding Time (Atlantic 1984)***, City Streets (Capitol 1989)**, Colour Of Your Dreams (Valley 1993)***, In Concert (Quality 1994)**, The Carnegie Hall Concert 1971 (Sony 1996)***, Love Makes The World (Rockingale 2001)****.
COMPILATIONS: Her Greatest Hits (Ode 1973)***, A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection 1968-1976 (Legacy 1995)****, Goin' Back (Sony 1996)***, Natural Woman: The Very Best Of Carole King (Sony 2000)****.
VIDEOGRAPHY: In Concert (Wienerworld 1994).
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Carole King, Paula Taylor. Carole King: A Biography In Words & Pictures, Mitchell S. Cohen.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989 - 2002 |
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Review about Carole King
Write these musicals! | Reviewer: Sidney Goldberg | 7/10/2008
Write the music to these hip Jewish styled shows! Maybe the new 'Fiddler on the Roof'? Click www.SidneyGoldbergWriter.com and you'll see I write up a storm: book and lyrics to 20 musicals. Eight have been completed by some of the most accomplished composers (see bio) and are currently under consideration, the rest are waiting to be composed.
One of the funniest musicals ever written, about nutty, meshugeneh Jews; Abraham, fulfilling his covenant with God by circumcising himself. "Abraham's Cut," is a hysterically funny story about the last Mohel, circumciser in the Bronx. The three desperate candidates who have come to be circumcised are petrified when they meet the Mohel, who turns out to be wearing very thick glasses, his hands shake and says he like to drink bourbon before all his circumcisions.
"That Bestseller," is a funny and sexual story about how the Bible was supposedly written by two starving messhugeneh brothers, Abie and Leyzer 5,000 years ago.
"So Far Away" | Reviewer: Kayla Spencer | 5/26/2008
"So Far Away" is my favorite song ever. I love the whole idea of the song. The first time I heard it I remember thinking wow,that song is really moving & really touched my heart.
Yours Truly,
Kayla Spencer
INCOMPARABLE | Reviewer: Pamanda | 2/7/2008
Never before, and most likely never again will there be an artist of her caliber. Her music has touched the hearts and souls of all genders, races, and ages. During the sixties and seventies she is the one artist that my grandmother, mother and I would listen to together.
Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.
Person to Person - Morty to Carole | Reviewer: Anonymous | 1/20/2008
Tis is personal for carole king. I live at lake waubeeka. I knew your father sidney klein well and also your mother ginny. I bought your wurlitzer spinet piano from ginny before she moved to florida. I am planning to sell it because I may relocate. So I offer it back to you first before I put it on the market. Are you interested? Morton Morrison 12 arthur street danbury ct 06810 203 748 7339 morty211@sbcglobal.net
Carole King | Reviewer: nancy | 9/21/2007
I have always been a Carole King fan since the early 70's. Her voice is so clear and emotional. I could listen to her singing all the time. Jazzman is one of my favorites.
CAROLE SINGING GOD BLESS AMERICA | Reviewer: kathy white | 9/8/2007
Ijust saw her on tv singing God Bless America ,and her performance was blood warming goose bump experience .To me she perming was representation of my generation at a Tennis Match that the players were all unfimiliar.She was the high point of the tennis match ,and I wont forget her performance soon.!
carole king political heroine | Reviewer: ken keegan | 8/5/2007
I always loved Carole King. She helped the protestors at U.C. Santa Cruz in 1984 when she performed in front of McHenry library that was temporarily renamed by the students to Nelson Mandela library in honor of the imprisoned leader of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. The protest/takeover at the library forced the Regents of U.C. to divest their money from the oppressive regime. This caused a domino effect as companies like Coca-cola and other major investors removed their money from South Africa, too. Carole King was a big part of this effort and made me happy that such a warm talented woman still spoke out against injustice when she could have suffered in her music career for being outspoken. I heard her sing once with her daughter and the harmony was the most angelic sounds I have ever heard. Her voice is simple and honest and beautiful as is the woman it comes from. Her and Carly Simon have always been my fantasy women of music in all respects!
I love her singing! | Reviewer: Rosemary Chase | 4/28/2007
I have been doing a lot of research on Carole King. She is only two years older than I am, and I can't believe that I never knew her; I only discovered her about 3 or 4 months ago. I love her singing. I've just ordered her 1994 concert DVD and her concert at Carneige Hall. I can't wait to get them. Does anyone out there know if she is doing any concerts this year? I would love to see her in person and hear her sing. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Chase
Great admirer | Reviewer: Rosemary Chase | 3/16/2007
I just discovered her about 3 weeks ago when I heard her singing on what I think was a James Taylor Concert on PsBS. She was singing 'You've Got a Friend," and James came in and joined her. Since then, I have been doing research on her, I have the Diva CD and DVD and I love them both. I want to know more about her and what is going on with her, and especially, if she will be having any concerts in 2007 and if so, where?
Sincerely,
Rosemary Chase
. magnificent women ,and magnificent performer., | Reviewer: don | 6/23/2006
Ive been in love with her forever, and if present hubby checks out I want to be next on the list, Hey ! and i,m bloody serious !.
Review the Artist Carole King
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