Tuesday, February 09, 2010

We've Got a Friend


Here's wishing (212) favorite Carole King a very happy 68th birthday today! Regular readers know that "Tapestry" is one of my favorite albums of all time, one of the few records my mom owned, one that I played over and over again as a kid. (I loved the gatefold sleeve, but thought Carole was a man for a long time before hearing it!)

Neil Diamond's "Live at the Greek" and a totally great K-Tel collection -- that had "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass, "Speak to the Sky" by Rick Springfield, "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves" by Cher, "Go All the Way" by the Raspberries and "Back Stabbers" by the O'Jays, which was later used as the "theme song" to my show "Christmas at Harvey's" -- were two of the others! Although everybody's favorite "Natural Woman" doesn't get the gay-ccolades that Cher, Madonna and Bette have received over the years, Carole is a longtime champion of LGBT rights, and without question one of our generation's best songwriters. (Love you, Carole!) She and James Taylor are currently on tour together (The Troubadour Reunion). I hope I can make it. For details, click HERE.



 My mom used to put my little feet on top of hers and dance with me during "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves" in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom  (Not sure how I turned out gay. )

UPDATE:


I see I'm not the only one who has fond memories of this collection. Annette Zilinskas -- of Blood on the Saddle and Bangles fame -- just posted this on Facebook! 


For those who don't know, Annette, far right, has rejoined the Fab Four in the years since Michael Steele opted to retire. What a blast seeing her in action again after all this time. 

4 comments:

D said...

I love starting my day with a casual reminder that Mouth and MacNeil exist. Classic song.

Dave in Texas said...

My only complaint about the K-Tel LPs is that they sometimes had very short edits of the songs! Of course I no longer have them to give you a specific example- does anyone else share this memory? My Mom would often buy us the Top Ten 45s at the grocery store (still amazed that our grocery store sold music- way before Wal-Mart!), so I amassed a great music collection, and still have many of the 45s. Another great blog entry, Ken!

Anonymous said...

Fairly sure I had this K-tel gem too. K-tel was a great source for one-hit wonders (like Mouth and MacNeil), but you're right, they always cut the songs short. Still, much bang for the buck!

Anonymous said...

Tapestry has also been one of my top favorite albums of all time.. And I am lucky enough to have have some really good seats to see Carole King & James Taylor in their Troubador Tour when they come to Chicago in May