Customer Reviews

Carly Simon: Into White

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Carly Simon has re-recorded her ex-husband James Taylor's track "You Can Close Your Eyes" with their son Ben for a release dedicated to her other famous ex, Cat Stevens.
The singer calls her new album of standards and lullabies "Into White" -a nod to former flame Stevens' song of the same name.
Carly also covers Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and the Beatles' "Blackbird" on the album, as well as recording two new tunes, "Love Of My Life" and " Quiet Evenin'".
Although it sounds at the first listening almost like an album of standards for children, Carly Simon's new offering is designed to be at least as inviting for adult listeners.
The themes are also familiar and intimate: love and heartbreak.

Featuring musical direction from Simon's son Ben Taylor, who co-wrote the tune "I'll Just Remember You" and sings harmony vocals with his sister Sally Taylor (their dad James Taylor is represented by a warm version of his lullaby "You Can Close Your Eyes"), "INTO WHITE" touches on folk, jazz, and country alongside Simon's standard soft rock.

There's even a bossa nova tune, Antonio Carlos Jobim's classic "Manha de Carnaval." Along with these, the Cat Stevens-penned title track, Paul McCartney's "Blackbird," and other pop hits are transformed into quiet, delicate re-arrangements that focus on Simon's fine vocals.
After the too commercial, hype and overpraised "Moonlight Serenade", finally Carly seems to have found again that beautiful, understated style which is her signature.

All in few words, the total package - singer, songwriter, musician - remains a great and unique pleasure.

Carly Simon's "Into White" is a soft sweet set that comes across as tender & dear. The photography in the CD is exquisite and reflects the joy of music that Simon must have had recording these gems. My favorites include her rendition of Lennon & McCartney's "Blackbird." The strings are lovely and the vocal arrangement with Carly and son Ben Taylor is gorgeous, "Take these broken wings and fly; you were only waiting for this moment to arise." "Manha de Carnaval" with its "la la" lyrics comes as a gentle embrace. Carly's take on Simon & Garfunkel's classic song "Scarborough Fair" is so lovely and fragile that it takes this exquisite melody and produces a haunting quality with Teese Gohl's gorgeous flute. "Love of My Life" is also a very tender tune about the bliss of love. If there were any constructive criticism to make, perhaps a couple real toe tappers might help vary the mood. Nevertheless, this is an excellent set from one of our country's classic singers. Enjoy.

Into White is one of the most innovative yet spare albums of covers yet -- from Cat Stevens' "Into White," to the Beatles "Blackbird," and several others. This is the territory of dreaming -- and Carly Simon's voice has rarely been so front-and-center than in this recording.

The album, Into White has the roots of the troubador era of singing, and the inclusion of Scarborough Fair and I Gave My Love a Cherry clinches this. Also, Carly records Manha de Carnival (the theme from the movie Black Orpheus) -- musically beautiful, but also referencing Orpheus and the guitar itself, reflects back on what this album is about: the voice, the strings, the intimate conversation and -- frankly -- myth (Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Blackbird, Into White, Scarborough Fair all have the imagery of myth and magic.)

For a "Quiet Evening," this is the record to get -- soft and low, with the imagery of dreams, and the voices of angels.

I have always loved Carly Simons' voice and her emotionally intelligent delivery of lyrics - her own and others. I especially like this CD because the musical arrangements enhance her voice rather than overwhelm it. Some of her other albums are just way too over-produced (ditch the strings and saxophone, please). Like her Christmas album, this one is just beautifully simple. I hope she keeps continues to make this kind of touching and lovely music for a long time to come.

Yes, the possible quintissential Carly fan from the beginning ... When I heard the concept and song choices on this new wonderful CD, I was a little reluctant because it seemed to be "unnecessary" or just uncommercial. The latest CD "Moonlight Serenade" was very nice but her voice seemed to be changing with some flat notes here and there. Of course, as a fan I enjoyed it so I had trepidation with "Into White." I have now heard it at least 4 times all the way through and am totally surprised by how well it is executed and produced. It's not really commercial but artists her age rarely get played anyway. Simply, it's an enchanting and beautiful work that was unexpected. The song choices didn't strike me as unique but listening to them again and again, she instills a quality that makes them listenable all over again. Of the many artists her age, she uniquely creates music all her own while others don't really get out of their old "box." A very satisfying effort. I realize this can be "boring" music as some have stated but the point is soft sounds that lull and bring listening peace. It's a classic as far as I can tell. Even my roommate who is a big Joni Mitchell fan and only accepts Carly because of me was very pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of the new CD. Cheers to her to continue breaking the boundaries of music with more than an ear for commercial requirements.

forget the "boring" comments. Forget the reviews which say the songs aren't connected. This is one of the best Carly Simon albums of recent years! Since when are old folk songs considered children's songs? Oh Susanah isn't just for kids. Neither is You Are My sunshine. As far as the album being boring - simply not true. The arrangements are beautiful and soothing - incredible interpretations of songs I've heard all my life. Thank goodness an artist of Carly's capabilities and stature still remembers that there is more to music than what one hears in the to 40 or on MTV. Buy this if you appreciate musicality!

I put this CD in my computer, and played it over and over all day. It is just great. Why can't we get more show business people to produce MUSIC?
It is so relaxing and calming. For anyone that is stressed out and needs a "picker-upper", this is the CD to listen to. I'd advise anyone that wants to hear real music to buy this CD.

I saw Carly Simon on GMA singing one of her songs from this CD and it felt so soothing so early in the morning. I decided to buy the CD and boy I am glad I did. It is all old favorites and her voice and the music behind each song is so calming and makes you relax. This CD would be a wonderful gift for new parents for rocking their little ones or for adults to unwind at the end of the day in the car or at home.

I think this might be my favorite Carly Simon CD yet. I really like the variation of songs.

Ok, I admit it: No, I'm not a lifetime Carly Simon follower. Sure, I know the classics like "You're So Vain", "Anticipation", "Haven't Got Time For The Pain", and maybe a few more if I think about it. So I hear the tail end of "Oh Susanna" on Good Morning America, and I thought, "Hmm, that's a song I haven't heard for while; was that really Carly Simon?" In Starbucks, I hear "You Can Close Your Eyes", and I thought: "Wow , I didn't know she was singing with James Taylor again (she's not: it's their son Ben and daughter Sally). There's the album, "Into White". So, I bought it, popped it in the car CD and off to work. And: I've traveled back to Carly Simon --- I think seriously back. This album is pure class, pure talent, pure beauty. It seems not even percussion is included: doesn't need it. There's simply not a weak song anywhere in this album. "Manha De Carnival", hauntingly beautiful; "Jamaica Farewell" brings you to a warm tropical breeze; "You Can Close Your Eyes" shows her children's amazing talents so well developed, heirs of their parents' musical gifts. And like all things that earn the title "classic", this music is ageless. "Blackbird", of McCartney fame, is my 14 year old son's favorite (thank God, the kid knows a good thing!). My 14 year old niece fell in love with "Quiet Evening"--- as any one could: envision moonlight over a Caribbean shore, couples dancing on an outside patio around white cloth table tops with champagne glasses half emptied...OK, you get the point. And speaking of McCartney: if Ben Taylor's talent is a Lennon, then this guy David Saw is his McCartney. Both "Quiet Evening" and "I'll Just Remember You" are untouchable in their evocative emotionality. Here's the problem: Now my sister-in-law has pulled out Carly's "Reflections" and I can't stop listening to "Like a River", and the pick up and dance "All I Want Is You". And then there's "Film Noir" she shows me with the heart rendering "Every Time We Say Goodbye". And "Better Not Tell Her" from "Have You Seen Me Lately". So now I have to admit it: I just sent in for "Carly Simon: Clouds In My Coffee: 1965-1995". Suffice it to say, in an era of bubble gum "hits" spewing out like candied popcorn at a movie theater kiosk, I am a believer in Carly Simon's ageless talent. A thousand years from now on some intergalactic transport, this singer/songwriter will be played forth again and again. I now realize why she's earned the title: "Legendary".