Writer is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Carole King, released in May 1970. King already had a successful career as a songwriter and been a part of The City, a short-lived group she formed after moving to Los Angeles in 1968. Tracks on the album include "Up on the Roof", which was a number 4 hit for the Drifters in 1962, and "Child of Mine", which has been recorded by Billy Joe Royal, among others. The album did not receive much attention upon its release, though it entered the chart following the success of King's next album, Tapestry, in 1971. It was produced by John Fischbach, the co-founder of Crystal Sound studio, in Hollywood, California, where the album was recorded.
The album received positive reviews from critics, with AllMusic noting that it was the "most underrated of all [her] original albums". In a review that also covered Tapestry in Rolling Stone, Jon Landau wrote, "Writer was a blessing despite its faults" and that though the "production was poor", King herself made the album "very worthwhile".
Contents
Track listing
All songs written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King; lyrics for "Raspberry Jam" and "What Have You Got to Lose" by Toni Stern.
Personnel
Carole King – piano, vocals, backing vocals, arrangements
Ralph Schuckett – organ
John Fischbach – Moog synthesizer
James Taylor – acoustic guitar; backing vocals on "Goin' Back"
Danny Kortchmar – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, conga
Charles Larkey – Fender bass
Joel O'Brien – drums, percussion, vibes
Abigale Haness, Delores Hall – backing vocals
Production
John Fischbach – producer
Andrew Berliner – engineer
Gerry Goffin – mixing
Guy Webster – cover photograph
Tom Neuwirth – liner photographs
Rod Dyer, Paul Bruhwiler – layout, design