Recently, on this humble Yorkshire blog, I featured "Up On the Roof" performed by The Drifters. It was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin in I think 1961. The Drifters' version came out in 1962.
For whatever reason, special songs like that one attract different recording artists. My fellow Yorkshireman, Tasker Dunham mentioned in comments that his preferred version is by Laura Nyro. She recorded it in 1970 but I must admit that I had never listened to it before. Here it is:
In the days that the song has been echoing around in my skull, I came across another great version - performed live by Carole King and her friend James Taylor. It is such a joyous performance. You sense the chemistry between the two of them, the feeling of enjoyment and indeed the respect they have for each other:
Which version do you prefer?
Laura Nyro died from ovarian cancer in 1997 when she was just 49 years old. Carole KIng is 81 years old and mostly resides in the state of Idaho. Still performing and recording, James Taylor is 75 years old and continues to live in his home state - Massachusetts.
They are very different: Laura's is more polished and smoother whereas Carol's is rougher but somehow more human.
ReplyDeleteLaura's was carefully crafted in the studio. Carole and James were live but probably rehearsed too.
DeleteI was a huge fan of Laura Nyro but you just can't beat that fantastic performance by Carole King and James Taylor. Exciting!
ReplyDeleteTheir performance was uplifting wasn't it?
DeleteI'm a James Taylor fan so my choice is obvious. I don't ever recall hearing this song before sung by anyone though. It is a nice song.
ReplyDeleteThey bounce off each other so well.
DeleteWhen I read your post I thought I had not heard these. When I listened then I could remember hearing them. It was just a good all round song.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you and I should duet it Red? Spyman and Garfinkle.
DeleteI'll take James and Carole's; their voices blend so nicely.
ReplyDeleteThey have known each other for a long time.
DeleteCarole King over Laura Nyro, but Drifters still the best for me.
ReplyDeleteYou're an old-fashioned kind of gal River!
DeleteThe first time I heard this song it was the version by Kenny Lynch which reached number 10 in Britain in 1962, and the fact I've been able to sing it ever since indicates what a brilliant song it is, but I prefer the other versions.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear The Dunham Family performing it. A bit like The Partridge Family.
DeleteGreat versions YP.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Bruce Springsteen also performed it.
DeleteAmazing how the same song can vary so much.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was going to University of Denver, my roommate was from NYC and she turned me on to Laura Nyro. Thank you for the sweet, sweet reminder of her. She is sort of an acquired taste for many but for me, she is an angel.
ReplyDelete