Living Room Tour (Dig) [Live]

Carole King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Concord
• ASIN: B0009K8LMA
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,749 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Living Room Tour, a live double disc named for its spare instrumentation, arrives so well coated in the Hall of Famer's particular brand of populist, listener-loving pixie dust you half expect it to leave a glowing, sticky residue on your fingers. Radiating the maternal warmth and honesty that translated Tapestry into a 25-million seller, King sprawls comfortably (aided, probably, by the couches and coffee tables hauled onstage for these shows) into favorites like "Jazzman," "So Far Away," and "I Feel the Earth Move." Older songs made famous by other artists, including "Take Good Care of My Baby," "One Fine Day," and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," get an unfortunate, yet effective, slice-and-dice medley treatment. Carole King devotees won't find a lot of reviews that overlook the minor vocal flaws on this latest outing, but a barrel of bum notes couldn't keep the 63-year-old legend from connecting with an audience. The intimacy-to-the-masses approach of this tour suits the early-'70s earth mother material best, and intermingled with a few recent songs, the mix soothes, reassures, and satisfies. If you haven't listened to King in a while, it's not too late, baby. --Tammy La Gorce

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Product Description

No one performs Carole King's classic songs better than she does. King draws from her entire, 40-plus year career, from her early hits with Gerry Goffin to her Tapestry-era masterworks, from recent recordings to overlooked gems. Disc one of The Living Room Tour ends with a show-stopping medley of songs King wrote with Goffin, songs that became the soundtrack of a generation in the 1960s. The album offers two new tunes: the opening "Welcome To My Living Room" and the tender "Loving You Forever," a duet co-written with guitarist / vocalist Gary Burr, which opens the second set. She is also joined by album co-producer and guitarist Rudy Guess, who together with Burr, add vocals and textured acoustic touches on many of the album's songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (She Makes Me Feel Like) She's Right There, Holding My Hand, July 12, 2005

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Living Room Tour (Dig) (Audio CD)

Carol King releases her much anticipated two CD set, The Living Room Tour, with a flourish and artistic style rarely seen or accomplished. This set is an awesome opportunity to experience King not just sing, but also play the guitar and piano flawlessly. She wows her audience every step of the way; to write that she has an excellent rapport with her audience is to state the obvious. King is a titan of the 20th century musical form; and this two CD set is a must not only for her fans but also for lovers of all rock and pop music in general.

King displays remarkable ability to express all emotions here. Whether it's the thoughts of the death of a relationship in "It's Too Late," the celebration of womanhood as a relationship blossoms in "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," or the plaintive, poignant cries of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," Carole King surpasses all expectations in her ability to emote, to befriend and enchant her audience. And how's about her storytelling abilities in "Smackwater Jack?" Her in person concerts give Carole the chance to share emotions intimately with her audience. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that during her concerts "(King) did indeed act for all the world like that's where she was and that everybody there was her dear friend." I couldn't have said it better myself!

King gets ample help from talented peers on this two CD set. Look for both Gary Burr and Rudy Guess helping out with vocals, guitar and bass instruments. Louise Goffin and Sherry Goffin Kondor add some great background vocals that you won't want to miss. The sound quality and cover art are very well done.

Also, don't forget that this set offers two new songs: the opening "Welcome To My Living Room" as well as the devoted and caring song called "Loving You Forever," a duet King wrote with Gary Burr. The two new songs are a fantastic plus! And then there's the power of the live recordings bringing back fond memories, that element of nostalgia. People like nostalgia; and King delivers that well here with a whopping seven songs that were number one hits during her lengthy career.

Carole King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 for her exemplary work as a songwriter. And, when it comes down to it, The Living Room Tour two CD set reminds us all again so clearly that very few artists perform songs as powerfully as Carole King. Carole, we are richer for your being here with us; because we've STILL got a friend! As usual, GREAT JOB, CAROLE-AND THANK YOU!

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Living Room Tour has all of Carole King's greatest hits, July 12, 2005

By 

Robert G Yokoyama (Mililani, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Room Tour (Dig) (Audio CD)

Carole King is one of the best singer songwriters of all time. She has a career that spans over 40 years, and I think that The Living Room Tour is a great record of her achievements. I envy anyone who had the chance to see her perform her music in concert last summer in Los Angeles, Chicago and Hyannis Massachusetts. Listening to this CD, I felt like Carole was actually singing for me in my living room.

The first track is a new song entitled Welcome To My Living Room. It is a short cute track in which she sings about her love of performing music and entertaining people. Carole also sings a lovely new duet entitled Loving You Forever with a musician named Gary Burr. This is a very pretty love song. My favorite track is the So Far Away. I think is a beautiful song about missing someone you love. I also enjoyed the songs It's Too Late and I Feel The Earth Move. These songs are timeless classics that should be famillar to anyone who grew up in the 60's and 70's. Another track that stands out is Sweet Seasons. This is a great song about enjoying and accepting the ups and downs of life. I was surprised by the number of songs Carole wrote for other artists which are included here. Every musical artist from the 60s and 70s owes a little bit of their success to Carole King including Aretha Franklin. In fact, I think one of the highlights on this CD is a song that Aretha recorded entitled You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman. This is a very inspirational and uplifting song. Carole's performance of this song is so good.

I really enjoyed the track The Locomotion. It is a great dance song that recorded by Little Eva and more recently performed by Kylie Minogue in the 80s. Her voice conveys so much warmth especially on the song You've Got A Friend which was recorded by James Taylor. The music of Carole King is timeless. The lyrics to most of her songs will stay with you forever. I recommend The Living Room Tour to anyone who enjoys soft rock music.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, cozy, just what the doctor ordered, July 19, 2005

By 

W. Soule (Aylett, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Room Tour (Dig) (Audio CD)

Wow, I stumbled upon this cd only by chance and it has not been out of my changer ever since. What a rare and gifted performer. This setting is cozy and intimate. The recording is wonderful, soundwise you don't miss a thing. She is in the best voice of her career and at 62 (so she states on the cd) she is in full charge and ready to go. Give it a listen to and you won't be let down. It will lift you higher and higher.