Customer Reviews

Clouds in My Coffee 1965-1995

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Due to Carly Simon having changed record companies several times during her recording career, it was until recently impossible to obtain a comprehensive collection of her work. However, this excellent 3CD compilation puts this right, with considerable effort having gone into obtaining recordings from all her record labels, as well as her contributions to film soundtracks and various other 'one-off' projects. The result is a very interesting collection of the familiar hits and numerous rare tracks which even the devoted fan may never have previously come across. Every track is of excellent quality - no dull live performances or out-takes - and the whole package has been remastered to a high standard. The packaging is interesting too, with essays and many 'family snapshot' photographs, although the book is unfortunately stapled into the album cover and has a tendency to tear loose from it.

Although here in Britain she is most remembered for 'You're so vain' and a few other smaller hits, this album demonstrates that when on form Carly has produced some excellent work, with memorable melodies. Although the quality of some of her albums has at times been variable (such that some have very little representation here) she has also written some memorable songs that will stand the test of time - just a couple of examples being the powerful 'Let the river run' and the collaboration with Michael McDonald 'You belong to me', which has been covered by several other artists. She is not afraid to attempt some of the old 'standards' she knew when growing up, and although her performances of such songs have been disliked by some critics I find them to be very appealing - her rendition of 'Danny boy' for example is probably the most moving version I have ever heard. Whilst there are undoubtedly other female singers with purer, sweeter voices, the commitment and feeling in Carly's singing more than makes up for any technical limitations - she has a lot of heart and this makes for enjoyable listening.

Carly has never been afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve, and most of the lyrical content of the tracks seems as though it has been lifted straight from her personal diaries. Because she has always written her own songs, they often have an uncompromising honesty and give a refreshingly female perspective on life and love; she is not afraid to address issues of middle age, family life etc, which makes a pleasant change from much pop music. This may well have helped Carly to keep her audience, who have grown up with her since the 1970s and can continue to relate to her work. Despite the lyrical introspection, the songs rarely become overly sentimental, and the basic atmosphere of the album is hopeful and positive - Carly seems to have the ability to bounce back despite disappointment.

The three CDs have distinct themes - the first being a continuous collection of hit singles, the second a varied selection of rare or obscure tracks, and the third a selection of ballads of varying emotional intensity. It would be difficult to pick a favourite track because there is probably something for everyone here, but the sardonic 'We're so close' is hard to beat. This is an excellent collection and indispensable for anyone who appreciates Carly Simon's music.

Carly Simon is probably one of the greatest musical performers ever. With a musical career spanning over 30 years, a wonderful, beautiful voice that will never die, and a list of some terrific songs to beat the band she is one of the best. This box set contains 3 CDs with a huge total of 58 tracks and each CD is over an hour long. CD 1 is all about Carly's hit singles and biggest songs which includes You Belong to Me, Anticipation, All I Want is You, Touched by the Sun, Haven't got time for the Pain, Nobody does it Better, and of course, Your so Vain. CD 2 has a couple more hits, a couple of bit songs as well as some unknowns. The highlight of this disc is the unreleased songs, which are at the very beginning and a couple of which are only available in this set. (Angel From Montgomery is now on the imported Best Of.) Disc 3 is a collection of Carly's more grownup and more serious songs, a few of her "B Sides" and some other hard to find songs. One of her best songs, We're so Close is on this disc as well.

The interior book has a collection of photos from Carly's life from her youth to the present. I wish she had contributed more to the writing. The writing is instead by a reporter who got to visit Carly at her house on Martha's Vineyard. The back of the book tells us where each song comes from which is handy. The only other demerit to this set is that some of her better or more popular songs aren't included. The My New Boyfriend song from her hit and miss Spoiled Girl album is here but absolutely nothing from her infinitely better Playing Possum Album is included. Night Owl, Attitude Dancing, Tranquillo and It Keeps you Run'in could have also been put in.

While she is admittedly not without her faults, Carly Simon is a magnificent talent and musician. (Hint, hint, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.) A Carly fan will find much to like here. Treat your ears and spruce up the CD display with this great collection.

In Late 1995,I knew this box set was coming out,but its release date was being moved up to a later date every week.Finally it was out the second week of December.What a great Christmas gift from Carly. From the first CD,with all of Carly's greatest hits like,"You Belong to Me," my favorite,to the number 1 hit,"Your so Vain," To Carly's oscar and grammy winning song,"Let the River Run." And one hit that's never been on a Carly Simon Album,"Nobody does it Better," and that's Carly.The second CD is a treasure.Some songs I've never heard before like"Angel from Montgomery," "Raining," What a great Children's song."The Night Before Christmas," this song is played every year at Christmas,and Amy Grant recorded this record on her Christmas Album.If your reading this Carly,Why don't you put out a Christmas Record? It would be the greatest Christmas release from anyone.The last CD is the icing on the the cake."Julie through the Glass," from the "Anticipation"record.What a wonderfull song about a new born baby. My cousin named her daughter after this record,and her son's name is Jessie. "Were so Close." The greatest song every made. I could play this record untill the day I die and never get tired of it. "Someone waits for You." from the movie,"Swing Shift." I always wanted this song,and now I have it. "Davy" man,what a voice.And "Love of my Life," Delilia plays this song every night on her radio program.People are requesting this record to show how much they love there children. I could go on forever.Just buy this box set,even if your not a Carly Simon fan,play it,and she will be in your heart forever.

Clouds In My Coffee, a three CD box set, is the most luscious collection of Carly Simon songs! This set appeared a teeny bit expensive on the surface and I hestitated and gawked for awhile (I am very, very picky), but once I took the plunge, I was richly rewarded. This box set includes beautiful photographs and writing on Carly's unfolding and blossoming music career and gives an in-depth sense of who Carly is as a person in many ways. A book and CDs in one package. An absolutely gorgeous gift for anyone seriously appreciative of Carly's music. A fine treat for yourself. I will treasure this collection for a very long time.

This is a wonderful compilation of Carly's best work, including many songs that never got popular. Carly is amazing. I wish this CD had "Hello Big Man," the story of how her parents met. Even my 18 year old daughter loves Carly, though others in her generation don't even know who she is. Wonderful to see a Gen-X-er posting Carly lyrics on her bedroom walls!

This is the ultimate collection of Hits and all of the other songs in between that make up Carly Simom's illustrive career. For more than 30 years her songs have been FM staples on the radio. This 3CD collection has all of her Greatest Hits and her most personal songs. This is the ultimate collection for the Carly Simon fan and for anyone who grew up loving and listening to the sweet and soulful sounds of this legendary singer and songwriter. Look no futher "Clouds In My Coffee" is the best and most up to date compilation of all her greatest works. A real classic that will transend from one generation to the next. Carly Simon's music will always be timeless just like the artist herself that made these songs a part of our lives. BRILLIANT!!!

This collection is a "must have" for all Carly Simon fans! It will be a walk down memory lane for long time fans. You will also be exposed to some of her not so well known tunes.It is listening pleasure at its best! It's a great buy for those of you who owned a lot of her older albums on vinyl and are updating your CD collection with la creme de la creme!

If you want to listen to Simon`s classics as well as unrealsed material then this is the collection to get but this is more for the die hard Carly Simon fans. 3 cd`s cd 1 complied of her big hits cd 2 unknown songs cd 3 love ballads. The best songs to look for are YOU BELONG TO ME, NOBODY DOES IT BETTER, YOU`RE SO VAIN, LIBBY, WHY, ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY, WE`RE SO CLOSE IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY. Are just some of the songs Carly Simon`s gifted voice can truly be appreciated. Spanning over three decades of music the listner is exposed to a wide variety of music that is often never explored anymore. Talented and a acomplished musican Carly Simon made a massive impact in the world of pop music and beyond.

Now don't get me wrong here, I really loved this box sett when I received it, and still do. But after the enthousiasm, realism came in and I had to admit that a lot of stuff was missing on this box sett. I mean, cd 2 only contains 3 previously un-released tracks. Okay, there are a lot of rare recordings on the second disc, like "Take me out to the ballgame (a song I really dislike, but that's just my opinion). But where is a track like "It's hard to be tender"? My god, it's one of Carly's finest recordings and the lyrics are just amazing. Why is this track always overlooked? I mean, when the Anthology cd cam out, I hoped that one would contain the track, but again it was overlooked. And I know Carly herself likes the song in fact, so... why is it never included on any compilation?
Yet there are so many other overlooked recordings that could have been included on this box set. One night surfing on kazaa and looking for rare Carly stuff I found her recording of Mama Cash's song "Dream a little dream". It's not even listed on Carly's official web-site, but it's definately HER voice! And her version is so great, so amazing! Why isn't that one included her? Normal songs like "We have no secrets" and "Have you seen me lately" are included instead, songs we allready have on her regular albums.
That really lowered my enthousiasm. But still this is a great set, the greatest hits disc features all her hits up to then, and the third disc is a ballad compilation, and really included her most romantic tunes, allthough I missed Hurt and her self penned "From the heart" or her version of "In the wee small hours of the morning". But I guess there's always something to wish for, right?
Allthough this review may seem like a negative one, it's not supposed to be negative. I really feel like this is a great box-sett, a must have for any Carly lover, I just hope one day there will be another box-sett which will concentrate more on her rare and un-released recordings!

.....what all the fuss has been about, this collection is for you. Carly Simon has been the voice of the "baby boomer" generation for a long time, and, for many of us, she still is. Carly has been known for three things: [1] Some really big hits...however you define the term, they're all here, and all on disc #1. [2] "Confessional" songs...heart on sleeve...pain displayed for all to see. Heaven knows, Carly has felt some pain...divorce...broken romances...illness in her kids...drugs...the loss of her Mom ["Like a River"]...breast cancer; whatever the pain, she has put it out in the open. Maybe we, her listeners, have been part of her therapy. I hope so. This approach turns some folks off, but, in America, nobody has to listen. Disc #3 is mostly her tear jerkers. [3] Sexually enticing album covers...sorry, not here.

Disc #2 deserves special mention: it is made up of lesser known and unreleased material, though two of my personal favorites are on it..."Angel From Montgomery" and "Life Is Eternal". My one regret is also on Disc #2...the version of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" is NOT the one that was used for the closing credits of the Eighth Inning of the Ken Burns "Baseball" series...THAT version would melt the heart of a stone statue.

This is an absolutely wonderful, superbly presented, box set...it only covers up to 1995, but that's OK. The book of essays, with plenty of pictures, is a great supplement to over three and a half hours of wonderful music. I, for one, appreciated the thematic, rather than chronological, division of the discs. This set is essential for anyone who is even remotely a fan of Carly.