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Carole King

Tapestry

Feb 1971

It put the female singer songwriter on the map

Seventies Singer-songwriter

Tapestry marked the flowering of a songwriting talent that had been making hits for other artists for years, but none were quite as big as this.

Released in February 1971 Tapestry spent 15 weeks at number one, took Rolling Stone's album of the year, four Grammy nominations and was subsequently selected by the American Library of Congress. It doesn't get much more iconic than Carole King's masterpiece.

That other great troubadour of the times, James Taylor, graces So far Away, Home Again, Way Over Yonder, You’ve Got A Friend and King’s Shirelles hit Will You Love Me Tomorrow with acoustic guitar. Backing singer Merry Clayton, who duetted with Mick Jagger on The Stones’ Gimme Shelter in 1969, adds great backing vocals to Way Over Yonder, Where You Lead and Smackwater Jack. And if you listen to the chorus of King’s down tempo Will You Love Me Tomorrow you also hear the unmistakeable voice of Joni Mitchell.

The big news for audio fans is a Bob Irwin and Vic Anesini remaster that has given this album a beautiful fulsome polish, the voices and the instruments are all lovely; warm and clear and alive. There is also a solidity and bass on Tapestry that gives it a real presence in the room.

Uplifting, life affirming, nourishment for the soul is what you get from Tapestry. This record is beloved for good reason and remains a touchstone in all our lives and a sweetheart for new music lovers to take to heart.