Moonlight Serenade [DUAL DISC]

Carly Simon

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 19, 2005)
• Original Release Date: July 19, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Dual Disc
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0009PLM4Y
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (180 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,299 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Moonlight Serenade

2. I've Got You Under My Skin

3. I Only Have Eyes For You

4. Moonglow

5. Alone Together

6. In The Still Of The Night

7. The More I See You

8. Where Or When

9. My One and Only Love

10. All The Things You Are

11. How Long Has This Been Going On

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Carly Simon could spin vintage Black Sabbath into the musical equivalent of buttery, well warmed comfort food. Not surprisingly, much like her earlier trio of classics from the Great American Songbook (1981's Torch, 1990's My Romance, and 1997's Film Noir), Carly positively nails the 11 standards collected on Moonlight Serenade. If there appears to be a little more magic on Moonlight that is missing from the others, you can credit her collaborator Richard Perry. As arranger and producer, Perry bends these songs in a direction that calls to mind the Simon/Perry classics from the early 1970s, No Secrets and Hotcakes included. Confident interpretations and respectable playing aside, what you hear on Moonlight Serenade is naturalness and joy, a spirit that bespeaks Simon at her peak. That spirit's power to transform ballads and soft rock songs into instant classics grabbed the 70's generation by the collar. With Moonlight Serenade, we thankfully see that spirit sweeps across a ballroom with the same fullness and fire. --Tammy La Gorce

Recommended Carly Simon Discography

No Secret

Hotcakes

Reflections: Carly Simon’s Greatest Hits

Product Description

Carly Simon's brand new album of romantic songs features 11 new tracks in collaboration with her old friend and hit producer Richard Perry. All of the songs are upbeat in a "fox-trot" kind of style, and Carly's heartfelt vocals are simply divine. There is no doubt that the Simon/Perry magic that worked so well in the 1970's is very much alive and well in 2005. The CD side of the DualDisc edition features the full new album Moonlight Serenade. In addition, The DVD side features:

- The entire album in Enhanced Stereo
- Exclusive new footage of Carly at-home
- A "making of the album" documentary including in-the-studio footage, photos, and interviews with Carly Simon and Richard Perry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

117 of 136 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I stand and I wait/For the touch of your hand in the June night..., July 19, 2005

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Carly Simon, one of the few living legends of our time, releases this DualDisc album and treats us to a fantastic display of her talents as a singer of the great standards. Throughout the album Carly's voice is strong, sensuous and warm. This is the kind of album you instantly want to listen to again and again-and the truth is that it never loses its power. Moreover, as I mentioned, this release is a DualDisc. This means that the CD is on one side of the disc you get and then there are DVD features on the reverse side. A magnificent bonus! DVD features include the entire album in PCM stereo, footage of production techniques and interviews with Carly Simon and Richard Perry. (Perry produced this album.) One note of caution, however: DualDiscs tend to play best in newer CD players. If your CD player is several years old, you would want to get the "CD only" version of the album.

Listening to her sing of life's trials, tribulations and extremes, I cannot help but be in total awe of Carly's vocal abilities. Time has matured her voice, to be sure, but in a good way. Her range is good and the musical arrangements are equally well executed. For example, the song "In The Still Of The Night" gets five star treatment from Carly and her peers. The arrangement is positive and very upbeat.

On this album, look for Vincent D'Onofrio on guitar; Mike Thompson on piano, Fender Rhodes piano, and even synthesizer; and Lee Thornburg on both trumpet and trombone. Andy Chukerman also helps out on synthesizer and John Ferraro helps out on drums as well. These people, along with other musicians, back up Carly wonderfully with thoughtful and well done musical arrangements.

The album starts off strong with "Moonlight Serenade." Now I finally know the lyrics! SMILE "Alone Together" is an especially touching song; about how true love can weather any storm life may throw a couple's way. "Where Or When" has a certain bittersweet dramatic quality to it when Carly sings it! "All The Things You Are" is my favorite song on the album; it is so romantic and positive, celebrating love. "How Long Has This Been Going On" is an awesome way to end the track set with a flourish. Indeed, the entire album as a set has a romantic quality that is memorable, refreshingly honest and emotional.

In short, I would recommend this DualDisc for fans of Carly's but also for fans of the standards and what is called "Lite Rock." Great job, Carly; and give us MORE!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Standards the way they are meant to be sung., August 18, 2005

By	A. Devlin "Adam Devlin" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Carly Simon has done 4 albums of standards, starting with 1981's Torch. Each one has been different and as such each has had its own charms. "Moonlight Serenade" finds her in a more romantic and playful mood than her previous releases. The production here (by Richard Perry) is spot on and faithful to the genre. And Simon's vocals are lush and easy on the ear (not always the case for her!!) She has a real feel for this music and her performances are for the most part on the money. Not all the songs work - the title track, "My One and Only Love" and "Where or When" are not as smooth and jazzy as I would have liked but her unique take on "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "The More I See You" - whilst staying loyal to the song, add a new dimension to them. This is a major feat and for Simon is a bit of a coup and more than makes up for any shortcomings. Vocally, she has rarely sounded more "commercial" and if you want to hear these classic songs sung the way they were meant to be sung (as appose to Rod Stewarts slaughtering of them - can someone please stop him from recording any more standards - PLEASE!) then this is the CD for you. I doubt it is for everyone, but for lovers of great songs sung very well - this is an absolute delight - a winner!! Adam Devlin

39 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars One Big Unfortunate Mess, August 12, 2005

By	J. Brady (PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As a lover of jazz, blues, and pop standards, and of interpretive singers like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, and Ella Fitzgerald, all I can say about this album is that it is one big unfortunate mess. Others have noted the change in Carly's voice, that it is much deeper and huskier than it once was. That in and of itself is not the problem here. In fact I think time has been very kind to Simon. Her singing on most of these numbers is very nice, and her interpretive instinct is intact and quite on spot. But the super slick production of the music is simply dreadful. What is supposed to sound like strings or horns is to my ears just more synthesisers. Layer upon layer of lush digital goop do no justice to jazz and pop standards. It is sterile and horribly generic. Had this been recorded with, say, a four-piece combo, with more simple arrangements, it might have come off well. This type of thing, this wonderment of all things old, is all the rage in music right now. Everyone from the aging Rod Stewart ( who has flirted with everything from mod rock to pop to disco and now standards ) to the youngster Michael Buble ( who by the way is a great singer ) is having a go at recording post-war standards. Some work, and some don't. This unfortunately falls into the latter camp. Sorry Carly, nice try. I really love her soft California rock albums, and have a special spot for her in my heart, as a vocalist and an incredibly gifted songwriter. But this just doesn't work for me. A side note to the record company. Why did you make this CD unplayable on computers and unable to be loaded into an IPod? I realise you are worried about piracy and internet file sharing. But REALLY, how many fourteen year olds do you think are going to be swapping this over the internet??? And when was the last time some street corner peddler said to you "hey man, want the new Carly Simon? Only 5 bucks..." GET REAL !!