The works of legendary singer and songwriter Carole King are together in a new two-CD set. The Essential Carole King (Ode/Epic/Legacy) highlights the performer’s remarkable duality — featuring King’s own recordings as an artist and her compositions recorded by pop music’s major stars. As a singer, she found fame with “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “So Far Away.” As a writer, she penned hits for everyone from The Shirelles and Bobby Vee to Little Eva and Billy Joel. Only the best are included here. King will perform with James Taylor on May 25 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. — E.E.B.
