Back to the '60s

Somewhere in the land between where the music of the Beatles and that of Bob Dylan’s lives is this place for Carole King and James Taylor. They came along in the late ‘60s.

The awakening to life’s realities by the baby boomers had already happened. They were enlightened artists but unlike many of their peers not disillusioned enough to stop writing about dreams and love and all the simple joys that make up happiness.

Carole is one of the most successful female songwriters of all time. In fact by the time she launched her singing career, she, along with Gerry Goffin, whom she later married and later divorced, had already composed hits like Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Take Good Care Of My Baby, The Locomotion, Go Away Little Girl and others. With the release of her hit-filled debut album Tapestry in 1971, Carole also became one of the most successful singers of all time.

It was in July of 1971, a few weeks after Carole made No. 1 in the charts with her double sided hit single It’s Too Late and I Feel The Earth Move that James, who would later marry Carly Simon and also later divorce, topped the charts for the first time. The song was Carole’s composition You’ve Got A Friend from the album Sweet Baby James.

Carole and James have been friends for a long time before they made it big as recording artists. In fact, they were already doing gigs together before their solo albums were released. Among these was a stint at the Troubadour in Hollywood California in 1970.

They returned a year later as big stars and Grammy winners and would do so many times in the ensuing years along with other big names. Think of the likes of Elton John, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne, who made the intimate Troubadour a favorite spot for music lovers.

It had been quite a while since Carole and James have done the Troubadour together when they were asked to return in November 2007, exactly 37 years after their first gig there. James was in the midst of a big comeback. Carole was in semi-retirement.

But it was the Troubadour and she couldn’t say no. They did not only agree to do the show, they also brought in their old band who have become stars in their own right, Danny Kortchmar on guitar; Leland Sklar on bass and Russell Kunkel on drums. These guys played in their recordings and in many performances including those at the Troubadour. 

And then so that the momentous event may be preserved forever, a live recorded CD and DVD would also be released. Producer was Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon, World Without Love fame. He was the guy who signed the young and unknown James to the Beatles’ Apple label and who would later produce the Sweet Baby James album.

The result is surely the must have album of the moment. It is actually a slice of history. This is so because it contains what must be the ultimate acoustic set list by two of the greatest figures in popular music. Carole and James composed and popularized some of the most enduring pop songs. Believe you me, you will find hints of Carole and James in countless songs of the past four decades. They have now released their first album together and it is one shiny, beautiful gem.

Take note too of the simple set-up, a three piece band joined by Carole on the piano and James on his guitar. They just sat there and performed their songs reminding everybody that you do not really need more to make it a memorable show. No gimmicks. No electronic gadgetry. No showy costumes. Just heartfelt voices singing beautiful songs, shot in dazzling HD video and 5.1 audio. The effect is heavenly. 

The songs included are Blossom, Machine Gun Kelly, Carolina On My Mind by James, So Far Away, It’s Too Late by Carole, Smackwater Jack, Something In The Way, She Moves, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Country Road, Fire And Rain, Sweet Baby James, I Feel The Earth Move, You’ve Got A Friend, Up On The Roof and You Can Close Your Eyes.

As Carole so aptly said while referring to James’ opening song, Blossom. “I tried to remember the song. My brain couldn’t. But my fingers and my heart did.” We may not have the fingers but I am sure we all have the heart to remember.