Rob Kapilow's What Makes It Great?

Everyone’s favorite down-to-earth explainer of all types of music returns to Stanford Live. In the first part of each performance, Kapilow illustrates key points of the music and its creators. Then, the full piece is performed. To top off the experience, Kapilow and the musicians take part in a lively and in-depth audience Q&A.

Featuring two singers backed by a band, this program is an exploration of the works of iconic singer-songwriters Carole King and Joni Mitchell. Travel back in time to a magical moment in musical history, when a countercultural community outside of Los Angeles was home to some of the era’s most iconic songwriters, from Cass Elliot and Jim Morrison to Frank Zappa, James Taylor and The Byrds. This snapshot of a uniquely collaborative and creatively fertile time focuses on music by Carole King and Joni Mitchell, including King’s 1971 Tapestry, one of the best-selling albums of all time (“It’s Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move”), and Mitchell’s Clouds (1969) and Ladies of the Canyon (1970) (“Both Sides Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” “Chelsea Morning”).