TAPESTRY – The Songs of Carole King – Vika & Linda Bull
The Dunstan Playhouse Friday 23 June 2017
Review by Geoff Jenke
Tapestry was advertised featuring Vika Bull and Debra Byrne but unfortunately Debra had to undergo emergency surgery, so with only 3 days notice, Linda Bull graciously stepped in to take her place.
Carole King started writing and selling songs when she was only 15. She became part of the Brill Building in New York where song writers were employed to write songs for other people. With thanks to James Taylor, Carole eventually stepped out to play her own songs live. In 1971 she released the classic album, Tapestry, which topped the U.S. charts for 15 consecutive weeks and stayed in the U.S. charts for 6 years. With over 25 million sales, it is still the highest selling female album ever.
The album, Tapestry, is the centre piece of the show, featuring most of the songs from the album as well as many of the songs she wrote for other people. Backed by the Brill Band, featuring some of Australia’s finest musicians, Vika and Linda led us on a musical journey through the 60’s and 70’s.
The show opened with Way Over Yonder, a track from Tapestry and this led into many hits and tracks from the album . We got the hits I Feel the Earth Move, You Got a Friend, Smackwater Jack and It’s Too Late as well as album tracks Tapestry, and So Far Away.
Despite Vika’s concern about Linda’s lack of preparation, Linda performed brilliantly, joking about a mistake she made during one song. The crowd loved her for her honesty. The Bull sister’s voices are sensational, solo and together with brilliant harmonies.
The hits continued. We got Crying in the Rain and then It May As Well Rain Until September. Both ladies told stories about Carole King during the evening and one song I didn’t know King had written was (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, a huge hit for Aretha Franklin. Apparently Carole King and Jerry Goffin wrote the song in a single evening. Vika nailed the song with a soulful voice, in what was the highlight of the evening.
The finale of course was a rocking version of Locomotion, recorded by a lot of people including the original by Little Eva, Australia’s Kyle and a surprise hit for Grand Funk Railroad.
The talented Bull sisters presented Carole King songs as they should be presented, with love while enhancing the already perfect songs with their angelic voices.
No Comments