Customer Reviews

Winkin Blinkin

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This CD collects the first two Simon Sisters albums onto one disc. These are the recordings made by Carly and Lucy Simon for the Kapp label in 1963 and 1964, released as two albums called THE SIMON SISTERS and CUDDLEBUG.

Both albums are presented in stereo (my old, scratchy LPs of these albums are both mono, so it's quite nice to hear the songs in stereo for the first time). Sound is remarkably excellent -- no tape hiss, wonderful clarity and stereo separation. The tapes from the CUDDLEBUG sessions seem to suffer from a bit of oxide-shedding, but I only noticed this when listening through headphones and it's relatively minor. Whoever did the remastering of these albums did an excellent job!

As for the material, this is pure early '60s folk music. The choice of material ranges from traditional folk songs to original songs written by the likes of Bob Dylan and Carly Simon herself. To my ear, these albums sound much like the earliest albums of Judy Collins. Most songs are accompanied by guitar and upright bass, with some percussion thrown in on some songs.

My only complaint with this CD is that it doesn't collect the "complete" recorded work of the Simon Sisters. They recorded a third album called THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE AND OTHER SONGS FOR CHILDREN for Columbia Records a few years later, and this album remains unavailable in its entirety on CD.

But, aside from the CD not being "complete," I am thrilled to have this CD of the Simon Sisters. How any recordings of Carly Simon have been out-of-print for so many decades is a complete mystery to me. But buy it quickly -- Hip-O Select is only making 5000 of them, so they will be gone soon...

Carly and her sister's renditions of the songs on this album touch your heart and prove from early on they both were extremely talented.I listen to this album almost every night - can not get enough! I have also love Carly Simon since first hearing "You're So Vain" - I am glad they finally released this early music. Carly - don't ever stop making music!

This is just amazing... so lovely... I am loving this collection of Carly and Lucy Simon. A desert island cd for me!

This December 2006 Hip-O Select CD is a US-only limited edition of 4000, which reissues the first part of Lucy and Carly Simon's musical career in the early Sixties. It comes in a tri-gatefold digipak sleeve with a 12-page booklet, which features photos of the album sleeves, detailed reissue credits and snaps of Lucy and Carly on stage with their acoustic guitars and matching cardigans! There's even affectionate and revealing liner notes penned by Carly Simon herself.

Here's the breakdown (66:36 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "The Simon Sisters" released in early 1964 on Kapp Records 1359 in the USA
Tracks 14 to 25 are the album "Cuddlebug" released late 1964 on Kapp Records 3397 in the USA

The 1st generation stereo tapes have been remastered by one of Universal's top engineer's ERICK LABSON who has over 800 mastering, remastering and audio restoration credits to his name - and he really has outdone himself - because the SOUND QUALITY ON THIS IS BEAUTIFUL - a really exceptionally transfer - clean and warm - it will thrill fans to the very core.

Musically the Sisters sound like Joan Baez meets a female Simon & Garfunkel circa "Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m." - freedom songs, lullabies, historical ditties, traditional airs - mixed up with an occasional original "Rise Up" and "Pale Horse & Rider". Their choices of cover versions were clever too - incredibly strong melodies given pretty and even beautiful renditions - "Will You Go Laddie Go" (the Wild Mountain Thyme song made famous by the McPeake family of Scotland) and "Waley, Waley" (The Water Is Wide song) particularly stick out.

It's not all peaches and cream of course. There are also times on these albums when the cute Sixties thing borderlines on twee and unlistenable - "Cuddlebug" for instance and the French language version of Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" are difficult to stomach. This is not the songwriting living life Carly Simon of the 1970s Elektra years, but someone working out their musical place in the world. Still, outside of the twee moments, there's great stuff on this CD to savour - "Hold Back The Branches" features lovely harmonies from Lucy - while "Dink's Blues" has a blistering lead from Carly that's incredibly accomplished (the title of this reviews is lyrics from the song) - and the production quality on both tracks is fantastic.

Hip-O Select releases are not cheap for sure, but I've over 20 now and if you're into an artist, they're the best. These two albums have been off catalogue for the guts of 40 years now - and Hip-O Select have done their reissue proud.

This is a must-own for fans of the great lady - and besides, even standing beside a lamppost in a natty cardigan as she does on Page 1 of the booklet, Carly Simon still manages to look like sex on legs...effortlessly...

Recommended.

This is definitely something different from what one normally expects from Carly Simon. Upon listening to it, it does also have that soothing effect that her latest album "Into White" aims for. This compilation of 2 albums of the Simon Sisters takes one back to simpler times, when life and most everything around one was simple, to a kind of music that one just doesn't hear anymore. Adding to the fact that it is a limited edition, it is a must have for any Carly Simon fan. Several of the songs grow on you after a while, and for those not familiar with folk music, a good way to be introduced to the genré back to its olden days. The essay in the booklet written by Carly is most joyful to read! Tracks like Rise Up, Dink's Blues, Winkin'Blinkin'&Nod and Once I had a True Love are great for those quiet evenings when one just wants to be alone and have a peaceful evening, as Carly and Lucy both emphasize their liking for lullabies. This is a rare jewel for anyone with an appreciation for wholesome good music from a time gone by.

I just love this recording. It makes me feel good. Very simple arrangement, with no frills and just two young sisters that can be heard that their hearts are into these songs. They must of had a great time, and it reflects into the the whole feeling of this album. It certainly rubbed off onto me. Please Carly make a new album with the same emotion.

It's nice to see this album available on CD after many years unavailability. The harmonies of Lucy and Carly Simon are really pleasant to listen to again. The mastering of the album is very well done.
As they grew older, Lucy and Carly went in somewhat different directions but both of their talents are unquestionable.
I'm just throwing out a small idea here, and that is to say that a companion piece to this early CD of the Simon Sisters would be interesting to hear with perhaps songs chosen by Carly and Lucy as they sound today.
Meantime, enjoy the "early days" of the Simon Sisters.

Long before she became an award winning singer, Carly and her sister Lucy were a duo named the Simon sisters. Folk was they're genre and children's songs were they're bread and butter. They both sing great and played their guitars well. Nothing extraordinary, it's like I said in the title it's two gals and they're guitars and thats it, no bells and whistles, no drums nothing fancy it's simple Simon.

The disc has a large selection of songs to listen to and it's mastered well so that nothing sounds out of place or distorted. For Carly's fans out there it's an easy enough recommendation, but it's nothing that will knock your socks off.

Yes, it's true. Before Carly Simon became famous she used to sing and play guitar with her sister Lucy Simon and they were called the Simon Sisters. I had a scratchy old LP of the Simon Sisters that I bought off ebay a while back and I never used to play it as the quality was so bad. This CD however is a different kettle of fish altogether! The quality is so good that it may as well have just been recorded.
The CD consists of folk music, some of which you may have heard, but probably mostly not - particularly if you live in England like moi! Carly and Lucy create beautiful harmonies on this CD.
If you are a die hard Carly Simon fan, then you'll want to add this to your collection to make it complete.
However ; do not expect the Carly you already know, this is very different indeed.
Having said that, I really like it and the fact that it's now available on CD in perfect condition gives me no excuses not to play it anymore!!
So it's not your normal Carly, but if you like something a bit different and enjoy folk music, then go for it!
p.s. don't forget to check out Carly's new release "Into White".

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