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A rare chance to hear a detailed and frank discussion about the life and career of one of pop music's enduring creative forces.

New Yorker Carole King gained recognition in the 1960s in one of the most prolific songwriting teams in popular music. In partnership with lyricist and husband Gerry Goffin, she was responsible for such classics as Halfway to Paradise, One Fine Day, Up on the Roof, The Locomotion and Pleasant Valley Sunday.

Her songs were recorded by some of the biggest transatlantic pop stars of her generation and beyond - an illustrious list that includes The Beatles, The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, Herman's Hermits, Dusty Springfield and Barbra Streisand.

But it was the 1971 release of her solo album Tapestry that saw Carole make the transition from a composer into a performer in her own right. The quadruple-grammy-winning disc saw Carole offer her personal take on tracks she's made into hits - like Will You Love Me Tomorrow (The Shirelles), (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin) and You've Got A Friend (popularised by her friend James Taylor)

In 2009, 38 years after the release of this landmark album, Carole made a rare visit to the UK and spoke candidly to Johnnie Walker. In this interview she talks about the making of Tapestry, her musical family, concerns for the environment, dealing with stage fright, and the legendary musicians - like Aretha Franklin - who made her songs their own.

Carole also illustrates her story with some impromptu performances on her trademark piano, the tool of her craft, as she offers a masterclass in songwriting and composing.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Tue 17 Sep 2019 03:00

Music Played

  • Little Eva

    Locomotion

  • Carole King

    It Might As Well Rain Until September

    • CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION.
  • The Drifters

    Up On The Roof

  • Dusty Springfield

    Goin' Back

    • Philips.
  • Carole King

    Will You Love Me Tomorrow

    • Epic.
  • The Shirelles

    Will You Love Me Tomorrow

    • RHINO.
  • Aretha Franklin

    (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

  • Carole King

    (You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman

    • EPIC.
  • Carole King

    It's Too Late

    • SONY MUSIC TV/COLUMBIA.
  • Carole King

    Way Over Yonder

    • Epic.
  • Carole King

    成人快手 Again

    • Epic.
  • None

    Deleted Record

    • Capitol.
  • Carole King

    Beautiful

    • Epic.
  • Carole King

    I Feel The Earth Move

    • EPIC.
  • Carole King

    So Far Away

    • (Various Artists).
  • Carole King

    It's Going To Take Some Time

    • COLUMBIA.
  • Carole King

    Tapestry

    • EPIC.
  • The Cookies

    Chains

    • Connoisseur.
  • The Beatles

    Chains

    • APPLE.
  • The Monkees

    Pleasant Valley Sunday

    • WSM.
  • Carole King

    You've Got A Friend

    • Epic.
  • James Taylor - You'Ve Got A Friend

  • Carole King

    Smackwater Jack

    • Epic.
  • Carole King

    City Streets

    • CAPITOL.
  • Carole King

    Tapestry

    • EPIC.

Broadcasts

  • Sat 18 Apr 2009 18:00
  • Fri 30 Dec 2011 12:00
  • Tue 17 Sep 2019 03:00