The Carnegie Hall Concert: June 18, 1971 (Live)

A great soundtrack to a concert Ms. King did just as Tapestry was breaking and James Taylor was on the top of the charts with her song "You've Got a Friend". It's the perfect companion piece to "Writer", "Tapestry" and the soon to come "Music". According to legend, Ms. King never wanted to be on stage performing her songs, but was coerced/tricked/convinced by Mr. Taylor that she should come out from the back of his stage show and perform herself. One would never know from this recording. Sincere, acoustic and honest, if you loved Tapestry, you will love this. Great sound, banter and song selection, including "After All These Years", written in the Tapestry period but only released by Merry Clayton…except for this recording. Classics like "No Easy Way Down" covered by many including the always wonderful Dusty Springfield, and "Child of Mine", but don't miss the truly heartfelt and powerful "Way Over Yonder" which may eclipse the Tap version. WONDERFUL album. You need it. An American treasure.

I had the pleasure of seeing Carole King play a solo set before James Taylor's March '71 concert at Madison Square Garden, and then sit in on piano during JT's set. So I got an advance listen to what would become, in just a couple of months, Carole's Carnegie Hall concert. I wasn't there for that one, but this long-hoped-for CD has everything you'd want. It captures the time and the spirit beautifully. You can hear the nervousness in Carole's voice as she talks about being a New Yorker and comin' home before launching in to "Home Again." I know I can feel the heartache and sadness and hope when she sings "Eventually," which I think is one of the lost gems of the generation. And the addition of the string quartet for that song and a couple of others is sublime. Speaking of sublime, when she says she'll be right back...and you hear the gasps and squeals and cheers when she brings JT on stage and simply says "Surprise!" -- well, it gives me shivers just writing about it. Yes, the live concert repeats a lot of material from "Tapestry," but you won't be disappointed.

One of the best live albums I've heard in a long tie