Carly Simon - This Kind of Love

Grammy Award-winner Carly Simon is one of the most respected vocalists and songwriters in music today. This Kind of Love ranks among her most personal albums, as well as one of her most stylistically diverse excursions, with songs ranging from gorgeous melodies to driving rhythms.

This Kind of Love ranks among Simon's most personal albums as well as one of her most stylistically diverse excursions with songs ranging from gorgeous melodies to driving rhythms. The CD is co-produced by Simon, Frank Filipetti and Jimmy Webb who also wrote or co-wrote most of the arrangements. Filipetti worked his talent as the engineer as well as producer. The three first teamed up for Film Noir, Simon's album of standards that Webb produced in 1997. On This Kind of Love, Simon delivers 10 of her own songs (some of which she co-wrote), including the gently swaying title love song, the funky castigation of conniving celebrity-identity thieves ("People Say A Lot"), the catchy "How Could You Ever Forget" (one of Simon's personal favorites), the r&b-vibed "So Many People," the lyrical gem, "Sangre Dolce," and a waltz-time homage to her close friend, the humor columnist Art Buchwald, who passed in January 2007 ("Too Soon to Say Goodbye"). Album Description

No Friends

I was so excited to see this album, that I purchased it on the spot...full price! I quickly popped it into my car and couldn't believe my ears. Her voice is gone...shot. It's not just the title song, it is every song. Poor breath management, poor intonation. I was so embarrassed for her. I can't imagine why she would have released such a poor representation of her once HUGE talent. I didn't like the lyrics, or the music. The entire thing was a disappointment. Once I arrived at a friend's house to pick her up, I said, "listen to this". I started the album again and handed her the jewel case. She looked at me in shock and said, "Poor thing must have no friends, or they would have told her not to release this album." It is THAT bad. I wish I could have gotten my money back. November 19, 2008

Wonderfully Intimate, Subtle Lyrics and Satisfyingly Musical Album

This is a really nice comeback. The Latin rhythms and textures are inspired and Carly weaves them beautifully
with her own signature style. You can read in the other reviews on this site about specific songs....

But I'll say here that the lyrics are better than ever: heart-breaking, slice-of-life and more of an open window
into her life and feelings. The musical feeling, itself, seems unusually profound, for any singer-wongwriter.
I bought it months ago and still enjoy listening to various selections from the album as they come up on my morning walk.
I constantly find new meaning in the humorous and witty lyrics; and rich emotion in the sound. November 17, 2008

Carly's the best!

I grew up with the beautiful voice of Carly Simon. Her songs, when I hear them again, take me back to different times of my life. Over the years she had done nothing but get better.

I think it's wonderful that she made this CD her own effort by doing most of the writing herself and incorporating the talents of her children. The result of her brilliance is one of her best albums in terms of music and lyrics ever! October 24, 2008

Disappointing

I have to agree with DK Baker from back in July. I was/am a fan of Carly Simon's music and had a number of albums from the very earliest through to the nineties. I did not much enjoy her take on standards, as I did not think her voice suited many of them. I managed to get this album way below list price and I am very glad I did not pay many pennies for it. The songs are very weak compared with her early stuff, and as Mr Baker says, the phrasing is 'strange'. I thought she was sometimes trying too hard to get too many words into a sentence, just to make it rhyme. I like to think that I am impartial in my criticism, especially of artists I particularly like, and I hope this is the case here. The arrangements are good, the overall 'sound' is great, but the songs and the singing really let it down and for me it is a great disappointment. Perhaps Carly just doesn't have it any more but I would like to see her attack an album of songs of the quality of No Secrets or Tranquillo to see if I am right October 16, 2008

Addicted to This Kind of Love

Carly Simon's latest is a compelling, adventurous, personal album with beautiful, intricate arrangements, strong support from some great and even legendary musicians (Jimmy Webb), and memorable melodies. It may not appeal to everyone the first time through, but I don't think that Carly's thoughtful, emotional songs and lyrics and sometimes complex phrasing always do--it can take time to really 'get' these songs and settle into them. Carly is older now (who isn't?), but unlike some reviewers here I don't think her voice is less effective or less attractive--she uses her lower register more, and to great effect on songs like 'This Kind of Love' and 'The Last Samba.' Certain tracks are must-haves for any Carly fan--the sultry, latin-infused title track; 'So Many People to Love,' a shuffling beat, a catchy tune and mournful lyrics based on Wim Wenders's film 'Wings of Desire', all beautifully phrased; 'They Just Want You to Be There', with a shimmering Latin arrangement, pulsing strings, lush vocals and a soaring chorus; 'Hold Out Your Heart', which sounds like Carly of old (and reminds me of 'Love You By Heart' from Spy). Some artists just make music for people who love music--Carly is one of them. This is one to treasure. October 11, 2008

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