Some of the greatest songs I love have lyrics such as these: the heart gets weary, nothing every changes, heartache I knew, always on my mind, you took my one ray of sunshine, there is something wrong here, I just can’t fake it, I wish it would rain, gave me a mountain, etc. What do these songs have in common? Man, I don’t know but they left/leave a lasting impression and trends may come and go but quality man quality can never be substituted. Real voices with real experiences singing real songs. It’s in my DNA and courses through my veins and in some cases has been passed along to my children. Yeah, your welcome.
Back in the 1970’s seems like every girl has the album Tapestry by Carole King. That album, and those songs, were at every dance. At every roller skating rink. And, due to the wonderful technology in those days, on a device the size of a platter and thicker than the California redwoods, known as the 8 track tape. Hey kids give up your modern technology and try listening to songs only on an 8 track. The struggle(s) were…real and yeah we walked to school for miles in the snow, rain, thunderstorms, heat, and guess what? We had to repeat, this what would now qualify for a weekly show on National Geographic, endeavor to get back home. Hurray.
Back to Carole King. I have watched, and re-watched as that is just who I am, the 1971 concert of Carole King and not only did I learn she wrote one of my favorite songs of all time “will you still love me tomorrow” but she sings the hello kitty out of it. But the secret gem is her voice, passion, and throaty remembrance when she sings “up on the roof” co-written by her (by 2 years) ex-husband (note: if you get a chance check out him singing this song and he had a good voice in his own right) the multi-talented songwriter Gerry Goffin. Not to be outdone when she sings “a natural woman””, made infamous by Aretha Franklin, her version is just as honest. Just as soulful. Just as haunting. Just as soul provoking.
Simpler times are part of the title of this post but it is also a reference to life in times past that was life…more abundantly. Much more abundantly and I miss it.
From me to you via YouTube comes the incomparable Carole King raw and beautiful and as a footnote, it took place during the spring of my youth.
Take care and may God bless you
Jeff Schrembs
Jeff Schrembs 