I've just returned from a late-night road trip to Nashville, where I took in a rare live performance by Carole King at the Ryman Auditorium, a reknowned country venue.
First, although the show was sold out we wound up sitting on row seven near the stage, thanks to the generosity of Lead Guitarist Rudy Guess. He had saved 12 seats and pre-show backstage passes for family members. Three didn't show up, and my friends and I lucked out. One of Guess' cousins spotted us carrying LP covers outside the venue, struck up a conversation and we were in. I still can't believe it.
Carole, at age 62, sang powerfully and demonstrated her piano skills on a Yamaha concert grand. Guess, and Singer-Bassist Gary Burr, played while sitting on living room sofas, except for numbers where Carole joined them on guitar.
The 32-song setlist included:
Beautiful
Welcome to My Living Room
Up on the Roof
Where You Lead
Now and Forever (written for a Penny Marshall film)
Lay Down My Life
Back to Caanan
Love Makes the World
What Mattered Most
Love's Been a Little Bit Hard on Me (CK on guitar)
Smackwater Jack
Wishful Thinking (following environmental speech)
Take Good Care of My Baby
It Might as Well Rain Until Sept.
Go Away Little Girl
Oh No, Not My Baby
Hey Girl
One Fine Day
--- intermission ---
Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
Nobody Wants to be Lonely
It's Too Late (with ad for "Rock the Vote")
So Far Away
Sweet Seasons
Loving You Forever
Chains
Pleasant Valley Sunday
We've Got to Live With Each Other
I Feel the Earth Move
You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman
You've Got a Friend
Locomotion --- the last 3 were encores.
JB
(very tired physically but energized musically, online)
First, although the show was sold out we wound up sitting on row seven near the stage, thanks to the generosity of Lead Guitarist Rudy Guess. He had saved 12 seats and pre-show backstage passes for family members. Three didn't show up, and my friends and I lucked out. One of Guess' cousins spotted us carrying LP covers outside the venue, struck up a conversation and we were in. I still can't believe it.
Carole, at age 62, sang powerfully and demonstrated her piano skills on a Yamaha concert grand. Guess, and Singer-Bassist Gary Burr, played while sitting on living room sofas, except for numbers where Carole joined them on guitar.
The 32-song setlist included:
Beautiful
Welcome to My Living Room
Up on the Roof
Where You Lead
Now and Forever (written for a Penny Marshall film)
Lay Down My Life
Back to Caanan
Love Makes the World
What Mattered Most
Love's Been a Little Bit Hard on Me (CK on guitar)
Smackwater Jack
Wishful Thinking (following environmental speech)
Take Good Care of My Baby
It Might as Well Rain Until Sept.
Go Away Little Girl
Oh No, Not My Baby
Hey Girl
One Fine Day
--- intermission ---
Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
Nobody Wants to be Lonely
It's Too Late (with ad for "Rock the Vote")
So Far Away
Sweet Seasons
Loving You Forever
Chains
Pleasant Valley Sunday
We've Got to Live With Each Other
I Feel the Earth Move
You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman
You've Got a Friend
Locomotion --- the last 3 were encores.
JB
(very tired physically but energized musically, online)