Carly Elizabeth Simon was born on June 25, 1945, in Manhattan. The youngest child of an upper-class New York City family and daughter of Richard Simon, co-founder of the Simon & Schuster publishing company, began playing piano at an early age. Carly Simon began her solo musical career in the 1970's and is still going strong today with a new album that was released on January 2 of this new year.
The title of the album, Into White, steals its title from a Cat Steven's song of the same name. The music contained in Carly's new offering includes a collection of pop standards and traditional lullabies which makes it suitable to both adults and children. The theme is meditative and reflective and the songs have cheerful yet somber undertones. The musical selections are surprising and refreshing.
The album begins with the title song, Into White, and is followed by one of the best known folk songs in America, Oh Susanna! by Stephen Foster. John Lennon and Paul McCartney's Blackbird and You Can Close Your Eyes by James Taylor follow. Quiet Evening and I'll Just Remember You written by David Saw are completely new songs that have a reflective aura. Manha De Carnaval (Theme from "Black Orpheus"), You Are My Sunshine, I Gave My Love A Cherry (The Riddle Song), a Harry Belafonte song Jamaica Farewell and a song medley, Devoted To You, written by Carly and her son Ben Taylor and All I Have To Do Is Dream made popular by the Everly Brothers are still more familiar songs from America's musical past.
Next up, Scarborough Fair, a song made popular by Simon and Garfunkel, Over The Rainbow which was made popular by Judy Garland end up the traditional songs that many know and love. The two ending tracks, Love Of My Life written by Carly Simon and I'll Just Remember You which was written by Carly's son Ben Taylor and his friend David Saw, are beautiful melodies that bring the album together. All the way through the liner notes, Carly introduces each song with a little of the history and reasons why she chose it, in her own words. Into White is a wonderful musical journey that is very enjoyable.
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Comments: 12
I wasn't sure about buying the album, but after reading your review, I'm hooked!