Carole King: Wrap Around Joy - 1974
Another slight change in style occurred on this one, as Carole followed Joni Mitchell (see: Court and Spark) in putting out an album of well-produced, smooth, easy-listening jazzy pop material.
Nightingale kicks it off with a chart hit of a number that is a breath of fresh summer's morning air. It still had that inimitable Carole King vibe about it, though, just as the gentle strains of Change Of Mind, Change Of Heart do.
Jazzman is a superb, vibrant, saxophone-powered number that made for a fine hit single that completely exemplifies the US chart sound of 1974. Conversely, it would not have been a big hit in the UK and duly wasn't. Nevertheless it should have been, surprisingly not charting at all. I think it's great. however. You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine is pleasant piece of AOR balladry enhanced by some solid rock guitar breaks. You're Something new harks back to that bass 'n' bongos of Tapestry et al.
We're Are All In This Together is an uplifting, gospel-inspired inspirational ballad with Carole on powerful vocal form, lifting the song up over some sweeping, emotional strings. Wrap Around Joy is another track that just screams "1974", with its gospel choruses, good time clunking piano and a sort of Captain and Tenille feel to the whole thing. I can't help but like it, though. A fifties doo-wop vocal backs the jaunty You Gentle Me.
The powerful ballad My Lovin' Eyes has a fine strummed funky backing riff while Sweet Adonis has a Carpenters feel to it. A Night This Side Of Dying is an appealing song and the album finishes with a delightful brass and bass Mamas & The Papas-influenced number in the harmonious The Best Is Yet To Come. Overall, while this is a perfectly pleasant album I slightly prefer the previous four. Those are the ones I return to.
