Carole King: Rhymes And Reasons - 1972
The third in what can be considered, I guess, as a sort of sonic trilogy, this one, from 1972 carries on where Music had left off, particularly on the opener - more piano, bass and bongos back the sleepy Come Down Easy.
Once more using her regular high quality collection of musicians it is very much "more of the same". It doesn't quite match Tapestry or Music though, despite its clear overall air of pleasantness.
It is slightly more melancholic than the previous two albums, although that isn't a bad thing when you hear the thoughtful, yearning and sensitive My My She Cries or the plaintive First Day In August. Peace In The Valley has a beautiful, understated gentle rhythm to it and more meaningful lyrics. As with Music, in comparison to Tapestry, the album lacks some really catchy big-hitters, but that is no reason to denigrate it. It is still a fine collection. All the compositions were new ones, no dipping into Carole's huge back catalogue here.
Bitter With The Sweet was another of those numbers that showed King going jazzy with a highly enjoyable effortless, subtle swing. I love the sound of this track, it is just full of intrinsic rhythm. King had such musicality. The same can be applied to the sublime, country-ish and vaguely McCartney-esque at times Goodbye Don't Mean I'm Gone. I can only say so many times how much I love the bass on this and the other albums. It's bloomin' gorgeous. Just listen to the bass and piano interaction in the middle of Stand Behind Me or the groovy, upbeat intro to Gotta Get Through Another Day. Just simply beautiful. Warm and beautiful.
I could attempt to analyse all the subsequent songs but I would be saying the same thing - they have great lyrics, like Feeling Sad Tonight, I Think I Can Hear You and Ferguson Road, and all are played immaculately by King's trusty band.
The album's single Been To Canaan had an understated sound to it that stands as a leitmotif for the album, I think. It was a collection of mature, undemonstrative, relaxing fare. Something that dominates my thoughts when listening to all these albums is that even when Carole performs faster songs, she always does so with a consummate effortlessness that is just so appealing. She had such a natural instinct for delivering a song. No wonder she was such a successful songwriter. She just had it.
