Friday, July 19, 2013

A Natural Woman


I am currently listening to Carole King's memoir titled, "A Natural Woman".  This is another intent where listening is superior to reading. Ms King reads the book and where she discusses songs that she wrote, she sings them.  Carole King grew up in the 1950's and was about 5 tears older than I. She was writing songs as a teenager and many of them were rock and roll classics.  Her story is a history of Pop Music. She co-wrote with her husband including "Will you love me tomorrow" sung by the Shirelles (the first black girl group to have a #1); "Take Good Care of My Baby" (Bobby Vee)' Loco-Motion (Little Eva and later Grand Funk Railroad), "Up on the Roof" (Drifters); "Chains" (Beatles); "I'm in to Something Good" (Herman's Hermits); "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (Monkees), and "You Make Me feel Like a Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin).  She did all that and much more before she was 22!

I have mentioned before that my history with Carole King started with her first solo album "Tapestry" that was released the year I graduated OSU. My Carol and I listened to that record every weekend while I was at Fort Leonard Wood. We weren't the only ones. It sold 25 million copies and was the largest selling album by a female in History until Adelle made "21" last year.

In 1972 "Tapestry" won Grammy Awards for "Album of the Year", "Record of the Year", "Best Female Vocal Performance" and "Best Song" (You've Got a Friend").  NOT TOO SHABBY


I have had the privilege of seeing her in concert and also seeing her with James Taylor in the round in Nashville.  As I said with Paul McCartney, her wrote a key soundtrack for my life.

Great story. If it was a movie I would give it ****stars.

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