Customer Reviews

Wrap Around Joy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a fan of Carole's since her Tapestry days, and "It's Too Late" will always remind me of my high school graduation (summer of 1971, natch!). Alas, I confess a certain disappointment regarding Carole's follow ups to Tapestry. "Music" was just ok; "Rhymes and Reasons" left me flat, and "Fantasy" seemed to be an odd misfire. By the time September 1974 rolled around and "Wrap Around Joy" was released, I had low expectations...then, boom! I heard the first single, "Jazzman," and rejoiced. The album soon followed, and I immediately fell in love with it! Vocally, Carole has never been better (except on her latest, "Love Makes the World"), and the tunes are diverse, catchy, melodic, and absolutely wonderful. I especially love "My Lovin' Eyes" and "The Best is Yet to Come," with "Wrap Around Joy" and "You Gentle Me" falling close behind. I still have my original LP from 1974 and just added the CD--it's fun to alternate between the two! Incidentally, this was the last of Carole's albums to hit #1 on the Billboard charts--check it out! You won't be disappointed. Great music always ages well, and that's exactly what you'll find on "Wrap Around Joy!"

In 1974, while Carly and Joni were battling it out for top honors amidst the proliferation of female singer-songwriters at the time, Carole King released "Wrap Around Joy", a mostly joyful pop-rock entry into the fold, showing that she was still one of the mighty queens of the rock world.

Of course her endeavor was tremendously aided by the huge hit single, "Jazzman", with Tom Scott's memorable sax performance; but "Wrap Around Joy" has many other noteworthy songs.

Carole's power piano chords of the sing-along opening cut "Nightingale" (a second top ten hit for her from this album) really capture the listener's attention right from the get-go. "My Lovin' Eyes" and "You Gentle Me" are wonderful pop-rock confections, as is the title track and "You're Something New", one of my favorite Carole King start-of-love songs ever. Conversely, "You Go You're Way, I'll Go Mine" is one of the best break-up songs I've ever known.

"We Are All In This Together" is a great song of unification of the human race and is, therefore, quite an IMPORTANT message still today in this mad, mad, mad, mad world in which we live. I love the optimism of this song especially when balanced with the closing song, "The Best Is Yet To Come", which never fails to lift my spirit. Songs like these make me very grateful to Carole King for the solace her music has given my life on so many occasions. Listen and see if you don't know what I mean.

I'VE BEEN A LONG TIME FAN OF HERS, THOUGH SHE STILL DESERVES MORE CREDIT FOR HER LONG STANDING CAREER, THIS ALBUM WAS SORT OF A COMEBACK AFTER SOME EXPERIMENTS ON HER EARLIER WORKS, STILL IT REMINDS ME OF HER BEST TO DATE 'TAPESTRY', THIS ALBUM TO ME RANKS AS A NUMBER TWO IN MY LIST. ALSO 'THOROUGHBRED', MAKES MY NUMBER THREE A TIE WITH MUSIC. LET' S NOT FORGET 'REALLY ROSIE', AN ALBUM FULL OF FUN MUSIC, WHICH WE ALL GROWN UP CAN HEAR AND ENJOY. I'M GLAD THAT ALL OF HER ALBUMS ARE AVAILABLE IN CD, SO THAT THE NEW GENERATION CAN HEAR WHAT THEY HAD BEEN MISSING, AND KNOW THE MUSIC THEIR PARENTS GREW WITH. THANKS, OSVALDO.

If you are a new fan of Carole King and have never heard this album then you need to add this to your collection. The song "We Are All in This Together" will resonate as especially powerful given the events since 9-11. Sit back and take in the beauty of Carole King's lyrics. This may not be one of her most popular albums, but it is one of her best.

King's most commercialized effort during the greatest era of her career finds her in terrific form. These are the most confident and polished recordings she produced to date during this time period. It was obvious too that careful efforts were made to transform King's ordinarily untrained and uneven vocals into perfectly smooth and melodic ones. While she has never sounded better, there is a certain immediacy and sincerely missing from some of the tracks. Likewise, because she has turned over the lyric-writing this time to old friend David Palmer, this album does not feel as intimate and confessional as some of her earlier stellar efforts. Overall though, it is a knockout recording with catchy and memorable melodies and harmonies.

"Jazzman" was the single from the album, which deservedly soared into the Top Ten during 1974. On the title track, King is looser and jazzier than you've ever heard her. She sounds as if she has never had more fun than on "Wrap Around Joy", with excellent backup vocals reminiscent of artists like Bette Midler. Each track is meticulous!

Another album I had on vinyl in my younger days that I'm replacing on CD. So many great tunes. "Nightingale" "You go your way", "You're something new" etc. This album used to make me smile, I think it will again.

I have much enjoyed Carole's music over the years. Ofcourse "Tapestry" from 1971 seems to overshadow everything else that she has done for some people. That's because it was such a huge success, with 15 weeks at #1 and staying on the charts for 5 - 6 years.Worldwide sales now stand at 24 million! But several of her albums/cds are just as good if you really give them a listen. "Wrap Around Joy" is top-notch from start to finish. More instruments are added into the mix on this one giving it a more polished feel. And musically it all sounds great. The production doesn't take away from the songs in any way. It really only adds to it on this album. Carole has always had a way with a good melody, making the songs easy to remember. The lyrics are meaningful and down to earth. This album too went to #1 and produced 2 top ten singles. "Jazzman" just missed the top spot by making it to #2.Carole received a Grammy 'nomination' for Best Female Pop/Rock Performance for "Jazzman". Next up was "Nightingale" coming in at #9. Actually for me this whole cd plays like a greatest hits collection. Many songs sound like they should have been hit singles."Your Something New", "My Lovin Eyes",and the shoo-bee-do-wah sounds of "You Gentle Me" are just a few of the radio friendly sounding in this bunch. One of the best songs for me is "Change In Mind,Change Of Heart",a slow beautiful ballad sung heartfelt the way Carole knows how to sing a meaningful lyric. Her songs have been done by uncountable other artists, but for me she seems to sings them the best herself in most cases. She captures something very honest and real in her delivery."WRAP AROUND JOY" is a great listen from start to finish. One of her very best.You can also get this as a REMASTERED IMPORT on a 2 cds in one collection if you look on this site. They sound great with the updated sound. "WRAP AROUND JOY" is a very strong and solid album. Also check out "RHYMES & REASONS". Another solid 'melodic' effort from Carole King.

Carole King / Wrap Around Joy:
This is a review of the album, I have no experience with Amazon's CD-R `made to order' offer.

The "Wrap Around Joy" album has more production than her classic Tapestry/Music/Rhymes Trilogy, but this album is just as Masterful as those earlier albums. This album is filled with great songs, many of which became radio hits. This is a very joyful album and is a consistent source of pleasure. Five Stars.

Songs Include : 1. Nightingale / 2. Change in Mind, Change of Heart / 3. Jazzman / 4. You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine / 5. You're Something New / 6. We Are All in This Together / 7. Wrap Around Joy / 8. You Gentle Me / 9. My Lovin' Eyes / 10. Sweet Adonis / 11. A Night This Side of Dying / 12. The Best Is Yet to Come

Carole King may not be remembered only as a 70s Superstar for her overwhelming masterwork in "Tapestry". This album is quite a good one too!

Please pay special attention to "Nightingale", "You're Something New", "The Best Is Yet To Come", and of course the superhit "Jazzman". To be included in any 70s serious music collection, of course!