Audio CD review:
Carole King - Writer/Rhymes & Reasons

Carole King - Writer/Rhymes & Reasons

Band: Carole King Title: Writer/Rhymes & Reasons Rating: Release Date: 2002-09-09 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Spaceship Races - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 2: No Easy Way Down - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 3: Child of Mine - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 4: Goin' Back - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 5: To Love - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 6: What Have You Got to Lose - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 7: Eventually - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 8: Raspberry Jam - Carole King, King, Carole 9: Can't You Be Real - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 10: I Can't Hear You No More - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 11: Sweet Sweetheart - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 12: Up on the Roof - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 13: Come Down Easy - Carole King, King, Carole 14: My My She Cries - Carole King, King, Carole 15: Peace in the Valley - Carole King, King, Carole 16: Feeling Sad Tonight - Carole King, King, Carole 17: The First Day in August - Carole King, King, Carole 18: Bitter With the Sweet - Carole King, King, Carole 19: Goodbye Don't Mean I'm Gone - Carole King, King, Carole 20: Stand Behind Me - Carole King, King, Carole 21: Gotta Get Through Another Day - Carole King, King, Carole 22: I Think I Can Hear You - Carole King, King, Carole 23: Ferguson Road - Carole King, Goffin, Gerry 24: Been to Canaan - Carole King, King, carole

What a difference an album makes " However, the earlier album has much to recommend itself. Tapestry would be the album which brought a much smoother sound to King's work than what one would hear on "Writer. King's recording of "Goin' Back" and "Up on the Roof" are the highlights of the album. The first is so for its wistful lyrics, wonderul piano and acoustic guitar interplay during the instrumental passage of the song, and King's depth of expression with the lyrics. Taylor's contribution to the song with a countermelody at the end is also breathtaking. "Up on the Roof" is and was a classic, but King makes this listener forget completely the earlier Drifter's version. She gives it a wonderfully intimate feel with her signature piano work and a deft string arrangement. The other songs on this first album vary in performance from sounding not far from her early demo work to acceptable. However, the two spotlight songs foreshadow the musical success of "Tapestry. " With that album's release, King began to experiment with different sounds, and "Rhymes and Reasons" is perhaps her most "quiet" album. Most of the tracks feature a layered piano effect(two pianos recorded over each other), a softer, jazzlike guitar, and woodwinds or strings. The album is incredibly smooth sounding compared to "Writer," and the difference is immediately noticeable. Here we have an artist whose craft as a performer is equal to that of her songwriting ability. Songs like "Peace in the Valley," "Ferguson Road," and "Been to Canaan" rank among King's best work in terms of production, performance, and the song itself. There are no weak spots such as are evident in the "Writer" album, the sign of King assurance of her talents after the success of "Tapestry" Please note, and Amazon is welcome to respond, I did not hear or see any indication that these two albums have been digitally remastered. You can see a complete list of all Carole King discography, or go back to the Carole King tabs