Customer Reviews

Letters Never Sent

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this cd based soley on the concept. We all have our "letters never sent" our "phone calls never made" our "I love you's never said". So I thought I'd gamble on this cd. A very good gamble it turned out to be. Musically this is one of Carly's finest collections of songs. Track two "Letters Never Sent" has some interesting lyrics that break the ice nicely. Track three "Lost In Your Love" is an uncomplicated moment of reflective rapture recalled by Carly. Her voice soars! Track four "Like A River" is the centerpiece of this cd. The loss of a mother, the harsh realities sprinkled with fond memories. Carly takes both lyrics and melody on a rollercoaster ride, high and low, of the aftermath and myth of death and moving forward. Track six "Touched By The Sun," written for Jacqueline Onassis, is the stuff of legends and myths and dreamers and artists and lovers all of whom have been touched by the sun, sprayed by its warmth and light, caught in its madness and majesty. Carly's tribute to Mrs. Onassis is fitting. Track thirteen "Born To Break My Heart" are some of Carly's best lyrics. The music and the voice are forceful, this one seems driven from some past and painful experience still lingering too close. This one could have been on "No Secrets". It's that good. Same honesty and lyrical imagery. Track fourteen "I'd Rather It Was You" leaves us with Carly calling out for someone, for something not quite realized. A song easy to relate to.

After a career filled with personal and intimate songwriting, it should come as no surprise that the entire concept for Carly's 1995 release came to her in the middle of Spring cleaning. "Letters Never Sent" is the result of Carly finding an old box of exactly that, and we're treated to musical versions of various notes to Carly's family, friends, and ex-lovers. The results make for one of her strongest outings.

Love is thoroughlly investigated in several stages: starry-eyed infatuation is explored on the sultry blues number "Lost in Your Love," the delicious, slightly-country "I'd Rather it Was You," and the gorgeous, acoustic "Davy." Then there's the nervous insecurities behind early passion on the gently rocking "The Reason," mature resignation to the fact that a relationship is far from perfect on "Born to Break My Heart," and even the alienated feelings of being unceremoniously dumped; the down-home blues of "Halfway 'Round the World" has Simon cleverly claiming that her estranged lover's passionate anger towards her is passion nonetheless..."I believe it's some kind of compliment/I must be quite a girl." On all of these songs Simon's voice is in top form (especially during the impressively soulful belting on "Lost in Your Love") and her arranging skills have never been tighter. "Private," an ode to keeping a relationship discreet, boasts sexy lyrics ("can you be private when the juice is sweet?") and some of Carly's jazziest, most unique chord structures.

The albums finest moments, however, are "Like a River" and "Touched by the Sun." To say these songs are moving doesn't begin to explain their emotional impact. "Like a River" is a touching ode to her deceased mother; the lyrics here are so open and vulnerable it's impossible not to feel Simon's loss. "Touched by the Sun" is a tribute to Jacqueline Onassis (at least for starters), and is a powerful statement. Besides its musical force and soaring vocals, the lyrics of admiration for those who followed their dreams and achieved their goals ten-fold is an inspiring lyric for anyone's life. These two songs are among Simon's best work ever.

The only real problem on the record (in addition to some quirky interludes that occasionally stall the flow of the project) is the title track; Carly apparently wanted to set the pace for the record, and while she accurately sums up the inspiration, the song's anticlimatic chorus was born without a hook. A better idea would have been to strum the chord progression on an acoustic guitar and briefly talk (not sing) about finding the letters and wanting to write about them, and let that serve as an intro instead of the eighteen-second violin opener that stops just as soon as you fall into it.

But problems like that make for petty complaints...sort of like getting a great letter in a creased envelope. "Letters Never Sent" is a remarkably touching work, one that stands up to the standards that Carly Simon's intimate, vulnerable, and touching work over the years has led us to expect.

Carly took alot of risk on this concept album,and it paysoff."Letters never Sent," the first song has alittle tasteof all the songs on the record.What a great idea."Touched by the Sun,"about Carly's good friend,Jackie Kennedy Onassis,is so different for Carly.I can't beleive she wrote this song.This should have been a top ten hit."Davy," a duet with Andreas Vollenweider is my favortie from the Album. What a voice Carly has,going in all kinds of directions.I played this song over and over again."Like a River,"about Carly's Mom, is so different. A happy song about death.I lost my Mom also when this CD came out,and it helped alot.To know my Mom's soul was in heaven,dancing,eating,without anymore pain.Carly's son,Ben,blew my mind when I heard "Time works on all the Wild Young Men." When record companys heard this ,they were rushing to be the first to sign him. I can't wait for his first record to come out. Carly's new album,A record that has a new name every week,This week its called,"The Bedroom Tapes; it must be another concept album. I already ordered the CD from Amazon.com.It will be like Christmas when I put this new record in my Stero when it arives.

This CD is one of the most cohesive CDs Carly has done for quite some time. Like a River flows with sound and lyric, the addition of music from her opera is very fitting. This CD stands out from her other resent releases. Coming Around Again, may have had the hits on it, but overall wasn't consistent. I recommend this CD highly.

Carly took alot of risk on this CD,and it pays off. Letters never sent is so different for Carly,and it contains a little of each song in the first track. I played "Like a river" for my sister shortly after my Mom died. I thought it would help out,but it didn't. It's a great song,and I think of my mother everytime I play it. "Touched by the Sun" should have been a huge hit. It's a wonderfull record. And "Davy" Man,what a voice. So many different cords,with Carlys voice going in every direction. Carly comes out a winner again,even though the radio stations would rather play Whitney , Mariah and Boys to Men.Whitney,Mariah,Boys to men .Whitney.....

This album is Carly Simons masterpiece. It should not be missed by anyone who already loves her music, and it would be a great introduction for the uninitiated. It is at times funky, sweet, sad and lusty and her voice has never sounded better.

I'm a die-hard Carly Simon fan and I enjoyed this album. But the most intriguing cut to me was "Time Works on All The Wild Young Men" by Ben Taylor. I have heard he has an album out but can't locate it -- does anyone know the title?

I've grown along with Carly's putting words to my life. This CD adds more dimensions of exquisite articulation of feelings and memories. Each song is distinctively 'Carly' while having its own unique venue. "Like a River" is wonderful -- the well-threaded word pictures painting a whole lifetime and beyond and touching layers of the emotions weaving many lives together. The beautiful, unexpected melodies of several of the other songs underscore Carly's absolute gift for musical poetry. I don't WANT to stop playing this.

I was leery of the recording quality on this CD, but it turns out to be excellent. Musically, this is one of Carly's BEST albums. My only complaint is the lack of "liner notes" on this reissue. She sings duets with several artists, who are not identified. Otherwise, this CD is a necessity if you like Carly Simon.

Am old enough to recall the advertisement for Heinz w/2 little boys on stools in a Sundae Shoppe eating french fries&the Catsup was as slow as well,Heinz Catsup.Loved the "mysterious" vocalist singing in the background.Never heard a Woman or at that age a "Lady" sing so huskily.We loved the product,I loved the "new" voice.In Teens found out Carly Simon.Married to James Taylor at the Time.Rock's "Golden Couple".Later,as Life changed,still followed Both Careers.This CD moves me. Wish could put a finger on Reason,yet it's Futile.One of the songs I believe their son,Ben sings of "All the Young Men" that go to War, Mr.G.Himes makes no mention in Critiqic on this particular CD.Especially since Ben and Sally Taylor Both are Fantastic Singers.Just like their Parents~vocals do not fall far from the Trees.Song,"Davy" is sweet,endearingly sung.I know someone by that name and moves me toward our Memories as Dear Friends.Enjoy the cover of CD.Trying to "name" All the People's photographs on there,is Fun.Haunting lyrics for "Legend In Our Time". Refuse the Gossip of "Whom" the lyrics/music are attributed to by Miss.Simon. Same as with other Lyrics.Why bother? Here is once more Great Music.So pleased later for Miss.Simon to win Accolades and Best Song in a Film. All awards and what She considers,"sillyness" on those of us mere Mortals.I cannot sing like Her. Cannot write Poetry nearly as Melodic. Yet,Am Humbled to have Songtress' Music Any Time. Thanks to Amazon and Their Partners to recall a Memory so Beloved as Music evokes.