A&M Studios on the Chaplin lot
1416 North La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles
1971 · album
Tapestry: songs in the room
Carole King and Lou Adler remember the preparation, players and deliberately simple production of Tapestry at A&M.
Tapestry’s original credits place its recording at A&M Studios. Carole King and producer Lou Adler later described a process built around presenting the songs clearly: familiar players, careful preparation and a recording environment that supported the performances. Their separate Library of Congress interviews return the album to the work done in the room.
Explore the places
These historical places remain in the list while their map positions are researched.
- A&M Studios on the Chaplin lot — Position not yet established
Preparing the songs
Adler remembered going through King’s existing and developing songs before recording, with a twelve-song album in mind. He described her as exceptionally prepared: she played keyboards, made arrangements and sang much of the backing material. His account brings the record’s apparent ease back to practical musicianship. The songs did not arrive as a finished sound waiting to be captured; their presentation depended on choices King could make with the musicians around her. [2]
The singer’s account of the studio
King told the Library of Congress that she approached the sessions much as she approached demos, aiming to present each song authentically. Some players were musicians she had worked with in James Taylor’s band. She credited Adler with creating a safe, comfortable environment and Hank Cicalo with a clean, warm recorded sound. Her recollection places trust and familiarity alongside technique: a group of people could concentrate on the songs because the conditions supported their work. [4]
Keeping the listener close
Adler’s production direction came from hearing the appeal of King’s piano-and-voice demos. He wanted the listener to feel close to her singing and playing, and resisted changes that would remove the natural character of her voice. King remembered dim studio lights, sessions that often produced three tracks, and three weeks spent recording and mixing. The intimacy of the finished album was built through this working process within the studio. [2] [4]
The story in real places
Reading the place today
The Hollywood property is a working studio site. This identifies the historical A&M recording complex, without promising access to a particular room. The cover’s home location is not mapped here.
Sources
- A&M Studios history and archived company materials — On A&M Records archive. Checked 2026-10-17.
- Interview with Lou Adler, 12 August 2015 — Library of Congress. Checked 2026-10-17.
- Tapestry: original album credits — Carole King. Checked 2026-10-17.
- Interview with Carole King, 4 June 2018 — Library of Congress. Checked 2026-10-17.