{"id":43,"date":"2019-05-23T11:32:07","date_gmt":"2019-05-23T18:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/?p=999951268"},"modified":"2019-05-23T11:32:07","modified_gmt":"2019-05-23T18:32:07","slug":"knights-of-the-round-turn-table-carole-kings-tapestry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/art\/knights-of-the-round-turn-table-carole-kings-tapestry","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: Knights of the Round (Turn) Table host Derik Larson talks Carole King’s ‘Tapestry’"},"content":{"rendered":"

For nearly a year, the Knights of the Round (Turn) Table have been gathering on a monthly basis to discuss historically significant albums of all styles, everything from Bowie to the Beach Boys; Prince to Springsteen. Thursday night, May 23, the group is getting together at Phil Trani’s and, starting at 6: 30 p.m., will listen to Carole King’s chart-topping album “Tapestry.” We asked host Derik Larson a handful of questions about the album, his musical passions and what guests can expect this evening.<\/p>\n

What’s your background in music?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My passion for music started in my early childhood. I loved looking through my dad\u2019s vinyl collection and admiring the album artwork. Music was always playing around the house and in my parents\u2019 cars, and they would constantly impart little bits of wisdom about the music. I had a keyboard on which I taught myself to play simple songs like The Beatles\u2019 \u201cYesterday\u201d and played the trombone for much of my youth. In college, I created a Fleetwood Mac fan page that, at its peak during their \u201cThe Dance\u201d reunion in 1997, had up to 500 hits a day. In my young adult days, I dove deeply into the catalogs of artists such as Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and Led Zeppelin and drank up the information available on the internet to find out unique facts about artists and their songs.<\/p>\n

What’s your personal relationship with the album? When did you first hear it and how did you feel; when do you listen to it now and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t recall the first time I heard the album, although I do remember hearing \u201cI Feel The Earth Move\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s Too Late\u201d quite often in my early years. Honestly, the \u201cGlee\u201d episode featuring music from \u201cTapestry\u201d (aired in 2015) prompted me to immediately purchase the album on iTunes.\u00a0 After listening a couple of times, I was so impressed by the intimacy of the music. I felt like Carole King was a friend singing directly to me and that I had known her for a long time. The album still gives me the tingles and goosebumps. I often listen when I\u2019m feeling down\u2014songs like \u201cBeautiful\u201d and \u201cYou\u2019ve Got A Friend\u201d are perfect for reminding me that everything will be OK. While doing research for this presentation, I procured an original vinyl copy of the album and have listened to it at least 30 times. I gotta say, this album sounds so fantastic on vinyl and I\u2019m so happy to be able to hear it in that manner. One of the best things about the Knights event is hearing the music on vinyl and sharing the listening experience with everyone.<\/p>\n

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Knights of the Round (Turn) Table host Derik Lasron speaking at at event. Photo courtesy Katie Phillips\/BKBIA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are a few little-known facts about the album you think some might be surprised to find out?<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Carole had been a successful songwriter with her then-husband Gerry Goffin since 1960. She had a minor solo hit as a performer in 1962 with \u201cIt Might As Well Rain Until September\u201d but didn\u2019t have any more solo success until \u201cTapestry\u201d in 1971. In between, she formed a band called The City (featuring guitarist Danny \u2018Kootch\u2019 Kortchmar on guitar and second husband Charlie Larkey on bass; both played on \u201cTapestry\u201d) that recorded one album in 1968 and released her first solo album, \u201cWriter\u201d in 1970.<\/li>\n
  • \u201cTapestry\u201d was No. 1 on the Billboard album charts for 15 weeks and won 4 Grammys, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year.<\/li>\n
  • \u201cTapestry\u201d was the best selling album of all time until Fleetwood Mac\u2019s \u201cRumours,\u201d which was the first album I presented for Knights, and the best selling solo album until Michael Jackson\u2019s \u201cThriller.\u201d It was the best selling album by a solo female until Whitney Houston\u2019s \u201cBodyguard\u201d soundtrack.<\/li>\n
  • Carole made the tapestry she\u2019s holding on the album cover\u2014it says \u201cthank you\u201d and was given to the producer Lou Adler.<\/li>\n
  • The album contained two hits Carole had previously written with her ex-husband\/writing partner Gerry Goffin\u2014 \u2013 the Shirelles\u2019 #1 hit \u201cWill You Love Me Tomorrow,\u201d which was the first No. 1 by a black female group, and Aretha Franklin\u2019s classic (\u201cYou Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.\u201d\u00a0 James Taylor covered \u201cYou\u2019ve Got a Friend\u201d and it hit No.1 two weeks after Carole\u2019s double-A side \u201cIt\u2019s Too Late\u201d\/\u201dI Feel The Earth Move\u201d ended its five-week reign at No. 1. James and Carole sang backup on each other\u2019s albums that same year and she toured with him as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What are you looking forward to about hosting Thursday evening?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Music is my biggest passion and it is so special to share memories and the listening experience with everyone. I am especially excited for \u201cTapestry\u201d as I know it has touched so many of our \u201cregulars.\u201d When we teased this album by playing \u201cSo Far Away\u201d at the conclusion of last month\u2019s session, a huge cheer went up and everyone started to singing along. It was a special moment and I can\u2019t wait to listen to the entire album with our passionate group.<\/p>\n

    Knights of the Round (Turn) Table runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Phil Trani\u2019s Fine Food and Spirits; 3490 Long Beach Blvd. For more information, visit the event page\u00a0<\/i>here<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

    Looking for more things to do this weekend? Check out this week’s “The 7<\/a>” for our suggestions.<\/p>\n

    The 7: Things to do in Long Beach this week, including\u2026 mild sexual excitement<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n