Never Been Gone Carly Simon

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CD - Digi-Pak

  • Release Date: 10/26/2009
  • Sales Rank: 542
  • Label: IRIS RECORDS LABEL
  • UPC: 020286137627
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Listener Rating: (7 ratings)

Detailed Rating: "Soothing" See All

 
  • Overview
  • Tracks
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Customer Reviews
  • Details & Credits
Track List
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Never Been Gone

1LISTENThe Right Thing to Do 3:44
2LISTENIt Happens Every Day 4:19
3LISTENNever Been Gone 2:54
4LISTENBoys in the Trees 4:26
5LISTENLet the River Run 3:16
6LISTENYou're So Vain 5:08
7LISTENYou Belong to Me 4:13
8LISTENNo Freedom 3:38
9LISTENThat's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be 5:18
10LISTENComing Around Again 4:52
11LISTENAnticipation 4:51
12LISTENSongbird 2:36

About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

After the 2008 commercial disaster that was Carly Simon's This Kind of Love, issued on the now-defunct Starbucks' Hear Music imprint, this collection of rearranged and re-recorded versions of her hits seems like a logical step backward in order to move forwards. Released on the Iris imprint and produced by "Paphiopedillium" (a group effort comprised of Simon, her son Benjamin Taylor, Larry Ciancia, Peter Cato, and David Saw, the band of players on this set), Simon's on acoustic guitar with her voice right up front. The arrangements are considerably starker than their original versions (she doesn't have the same kind of recording budget as she did when she was with the major labels, but perhaps she would have chosen this manner of delivering these songs even if she had), and her voice is considerably lower, dictating that she transpose keys on many of these selections. That said, hearing songs such as"Boys in the Trees," with its faux-Brazilian rhythms and her ever-so-slightly more raspy delivery is, in some ways, preferable to its original single version, simply because it is more believable. Also included are a lightly funky "You Belong to Me," with its rubbery bassline and accented backing chorus. The notorious "You're So Vain" sounds here like it comes out of time and space; as if she is singing the song from the place of painful memory and reminiscence, rather than as a song that relates the importance of the learning experience it originally provided for her. It's more fragile, less militant, less angry, and is far lower in pitch than its original version. "Anticipation" is so utterly tender and wispy, it feels like a brand new song -- and yes, that's a good thing. The melody is there, the arrangement is beautifully supportive, but the song is sung from the palace of wisdom here; and while it cannot replace the original, it does become a righteous addendum to it. The melancholy and darkness in "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" is utterly present in this version, which is all the mores striking given when it was written; it comes off as a song of surrender. This kind of "redo-the-hits" project is very common from veteran artists in the 21st century. Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

NICE JOB!!!by AndyManAK

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November 01, 2009: Didn't think I could hear a different version of "Your So Vain", but this one's damn good. I really bought it looking for the song "Let The River Run", which I watched her sing at Ground Zero ceremony this year. It's also a favorite of my girlfriends', and is starting to have the same effect on me. This is an ABSOLUTELY AWESOME song. Not too crazy about the first song, "Loving you's the right thing to do", at least I wouldn't have put it first. But after that, "It Happens Every Day" is a real dance tune beat, as is also "You belong to me" . Honestly there really isn't a weak link here. It's really amazing that Carly Simon can still create such intelligent music. She's a genius at writing tunes and words. There's no other way these songs could be redone and still be such incredible listening. GREAT ALBUM-I'd say buy it.

VERY COOL TUNES HEREby DynoBoy

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November 01, 2009: I wasn't even born when these songs came out, and it's not like I listen to Carly Simon on a regular basis, like almost never. But I caught her on GMA singing "Let The River Run", and I have to say that it was a very right on show. And my girlfriend ran out and downloaded it. So she sees Carly on the Today show doing "You Belong to Me ", and when I listened to her downloads, I ordered this album. And I gotta say I think the people giving out the totally uncool remarks are out of their minds and their ears. OK---I'm not crazy about "Loving You's The Right Thing To Do"---it shouldn't have been first and it sounds like she's warming up her voice. But after that, they're all winners. "It Happens Every Day" and "You Belong To Me " are my current favorites, and "No Freedom". Yeah, "Your So Vain" can't ever loose.

All in all, I'm rating this a 5 as much to the length of time Carly Simon has been in the headlines, as to how really listenable this album is. I'd say to anyone-buy it!!! You won't be disappointed.


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