Historic Carole King Montreux Performance Set For Release

A classic never before seen concert film of Carole King's landmark first show outside of the United States will finally see the light of day on June 14th.

Eagle Vision will be releasing King's classic performance at the Montreux Pavillon during the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival in various formats including DVD+CD, CD, and vinyl.

They have shared Jim Farber's liner note for release. Here is an excerpt: "Carole King's concert, 'Live at Montreux 1973,' finds her at a fascinating crossroads. It took place two years after she altered the course of pop history with 'Tapestry,' and one month after she issued the album, 'Fantasy,' which demonstrated her determination to move her music boldly forward. That push-pull of intents makes the release of the 'Montreux' concert on CD and DVD, after more than four-decades, a restorative jewel in King's crown.

?"The early segment of the concert exudes the intimacy that made 'Tapestry' a personal touchstone to millions. 'Usually I don't get to see my audiences,' King beams, while addressing a crowd cozy enough to sit cross-legged on the floor before her. 'Tonight, I'm seeing you.'

"Her comment came at a telling time. Six weeks before 'Montreux,' King headlined a free concert in New York's Central Park that drew a whopping 100,000 fans. The early part of the Swiss concert gave her the chance to regain a closer relationship with her fans, while performing classics like 'Home Again,' 'Beautiful' and 'I Feel the Earth Move' alone at the piano. That kind of one-person set-up was a hallmark of the musical revolution King helped herald in the early '70s - namely, the singer-songwriter movement, fleshed out by stars like James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens. In reaction to the theatrics, noise and excesses of late '60s hard rock, the songs on game-changing albums like 'Tapestry,' idealized closeness, disclosure, and sincerity. The camera work for the 'Montreux' DVD underscores those intents. It's comprised mainly of close-ups and tight-shots, capturing King's fine, and playful, piano work as well as her easy relationship as a singer with the mike. Everything about the presentation and performance signals authenticity, from her scant make-up and peasant blouse to the sisterly imperfections in her voice. It's the face and the voice of a friend - if one who just happens to be a musical genius." Read the rest and preorder here.

Carole King's 'Tapestry Live' Coming To Movie Theaters

More Carole King News

Share this article