Wonderful rediscovery
The nasally introspection so characteristic of her 1970s albums is mercifully absent. City Streets is an impressive album with wonderful anthemic songs. Instead she sings robustly on these melodious and catchy compositons. The musical style is an appealing blend of rock and pop.
The brilliant guitar work and the piano stand out in the instrumental mix. The hook-filled title song has evocative imagery whilst there is an anthemic quality to Sweet Life. A message of hope underpins Down To The Darkness although it has a melancholy feel.
A theme of upliftment flows throughout the album, as in the uptempo Lovelight and the intimate love ballad I Can't Stop Thinking About You. Legacy is quite a rock stomper, Aint That The Way a bluesy ballad with moving lyrics, and Midnight Flyer a lilting uptempo rock song with an infectuous hook.
One of my favorites is the elegant and yearning Homeless Heart where the lovely piano stands out. The album concludes with the comforting and inspiring ballad Someone Who Believes In You. These songs are all hidden classics with real soul so rediscovering this album has been a pleasant surprize.
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Magnificent album
There is none of Carole's nasal introspection so characteristic of her 1970s albums. City Streets is an awesome work. Instead she sings properly and these songs are most impressive, melodious and gripping, whilst the musical style is an appealing blend of rock and pop.
What I like most in the instrumental mix is the brilliant guitar work and the piano. The hook-filled title track has evocative imagery whilst there is an anthemic quality to Sweet Life. Although Down To The Darkness has a melancholy air it brings a message of hope.
There is in fact a tone of upliftment throughout the album, as in the uptempo Lovelight and the intimate love ballad I Can't Stop Thinking About You. Legacy is quite a rock stomper, Aint That The Way a bluesy ballad with moving lyrics, and Midnight Flyer a lilting uptempo rock song with an infectuous hook.
One of my favorites is the elegant and yearning Homeless Heart where the lovely piano stands out. The album concludes with the comforting and inspiring ballad Someone Who Believes In You. These songs are all hidden classics with real soul so rediscovering this album has been a pleasant surprize.
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ROCKING & WILDLY SOULFUL~BRAVO CAROLE!!!
Carole King at her best is a true musical wonder and the sessions for "City Streets" must have blown away all present in the studio. . Carole at her finest in a collection of some of her greatest songs to date. In better times than the musically bland late eighties, this collection of varied and engrossing songs would have had numerous hits and many "Grammy Awards". . . opening title song with no less than Eric Clapton on Guitar & Michael Brecker on Sax, "City Streets" is a story of longing and the fear of getting lost and not finding love in the big city and has the sound of hit all over it as does a rocking and funky "Sweet Life" which is just as infectious as "I Feel The Earth Move" and should have been equal hit wise. . . for shame to the music industry for dropping the ball on this engrossing and classic work! A stunning and deeply soulful vocal make "Down To The Darkness" a moving listening experience while "Lovelight" is a winning and magical ride which has a great feel to it. No great Carole King classic collection is complete without a big soulful ballad and "I Can't Stop Thinking About You" is fine and soulful while "Legacy" is a riveting experience that is the centerpiece of this great collection of illuminating songs and great performances! Anyone who enjoys this peerless wonder will enjoy this wondrous work as it is one of Carole King's finest! Bravo Carole!!! .
What Happenned To Carole King??
I thought "Simple Things" was a departure from her previous artistic integrity, but, "City Streets" sunk Carole to a new low. this collection is one of the worst (and, frankly, most embarrassing)of Carole's releases. Overly synthesized, bad writing, and bad arrangements. Carole should have retired after "Thoroughbred". It was her last well produced and listenable album. Only redeeming song here is "Homeless Heart", and it's heatbreaking to hear, being remembrance of what Carole King once was. .
She's Still Got It ...
It contains four songs by Carole alone (City Streets, Down to the Darkness, Lovelight, Ain't That the Way), two by Carole and former husband Gerry Goffin (Midnight Flyer, Someone Who Believes in You), two by Carole and co-producer Rudy Guess (Sweet Life, Legacy), one by Carole and Paul Hipp (I Can't Stop Thinking About You), and one by Carole and John Bettis (Homeless Heart). I found this to be a great "comeback" album. Featured guests (cameos) include Eric Clapton, Max Weinberg, and Branford Marsalis. A very smooth album - well worth 5 stars! .
You can see a complete list of all Carole King discography, or go back to the Carole King tabs
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