1. List as many singer songwriters that first came to prominence in the late 60’s and the early 70’s?
- James Taylor
- Carole King
- Jackson Browne
- Joni Mitchell
2. Why do you think the ‘ Troubadour’ or ‘Singer Songwriter’ movement developed so strongly in the early 70’s?
Because bands and popular music was slowing dow. The Beatles split and The Rolling Stones were inactive, this is when the ‘Singer Songwriter’ was able to find it’s feet in the breath that the popular rock and roll music was taking. Also, the honesty in the lyrics was something bands and popular music just didn’t have and it had the ability to make people stop and properly listen for a while.
3. Carole king – What made Carole Kind unique when compared to other songwriters of the late 60’s? Do you think her personal circumstances informed her songwriting?
She wrote piano arrangements for guitar bands. Motown sounding guitar melody came from Carole King working at the Brill Building just sat behind a piano from 9 to 5. This meant that she was getting her songs out there and getting paid, just that she wasn’t getting the full recognition for it. She didn’t look the part according to the music industry, but she persisted and broke through that barrier that was set. She was also very knowledgable about musical theory, so she knew exactly what worked and what didn’t.
4. James Taylor – Describe James Taylor’s performance style when he sings ‘Fire and Rain’? Does the imagery shown during the song contribute to the songs meaning?
I think that imagery of was and patriotic things alike really add to the ‘feel good’ aura that this song leaks. ‘Try not to feel band right now, listen to my song and get relaxed’ it the kind of feeling I get.
5. Name as many modern ‘singer songwriters’ performing now who may have been influenced by the early 70’s/
- Ed Sheeran
- Jack Johnston
- Ben Howard
- Keaton Simons
Mark Kirby 