Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Now That Everything's Been Said
Company: Columbia
Catalog: ELS-336
Year: 1969
Country/State: USA
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: Canadian pressing
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4
Price: $75.00
Cost: $1.00
Most collectors
have a list of obscure albums they'd like to find. This is one that was on
our list for the longest time.
Following the breakup of her personal and writing relationship with Gerry
Goffin, in the mid-1960s Carole King largely retired from music. Raising her
daughter, King didn't step back into music until 1967. One of her first
moves was to relocate to Los Angeles where she formed the short lived The City
with then-husband/bassist Charlie Larkey (King's Tomorrow Records had
previously released an album by Larkey's band The Myddle Class) and
guitarist Danny Kortchmar (aka Kootchmar).
Signed to Lou Adler's Ode label, the trio debuted with 1969's "Now
That Everything's Been Said". Given King wrote or
co-wrote all but one selection and handled the majority of lead vocals (Kootch
sang "A Man Without a Dream" and "Sweet Home"),
musically the set might as well have been King's solo debut. While there
were some subtle differences from the sound that was to mark her forthcoming
solo career, anyone into "Tapestry" will probably find this set
both familiar and enjoyable. So what are the highlights? The opener
"Snow Queen" has an unexpected progressive feel; thanks to
Kortchmar's guitar "Wasn't Born To Follow" sported an unexpected
rock sound, while the title track and "Why Are You Leaving"
sounded like unsentimental looks back on her failed marriage to Goffin.
Unfortunately, King's stage fright left the trio unable to tour and support
the LP. Adding to the problem, with Ode switching its distribution agreement
from A&M to Columbia, the set became instantly obscure and didn't see an
official reissue for two decades (the fact King apparently didn't want it
released didn't help). Understandably, as a result the collection's always
carried a hefty price tag.
"Now That It's All Been Said" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Snow Queen
(Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 4:11
2.) I Was Not Born to Follow (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 3:45
3.) Now That Everything's Been Said (Carole King - Stern) - 2:20
4.) Paradise Alley (Carole King - Palmer) - 3:04
5.) A Man Without a Dream (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 3:50
6.) Victim of Circumstance (Carole King - Palmer) - 2:35
(side 2)
1.) Why Are You
Leaving (Carole King - Stern) - 3:37
2.) Lady (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 2:59
3.) My Sweet Home (Allison) - 3:12
4.) I Don't Believe It (Carole King) - 2:42
5.) Hi-De-Ho (That Old Sweet Roll) (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 3:22
6.) All My Time (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 3:17