Carly Simon

Carly Simon was at the forefront of the second wave of singer songwriters that had huge success in the early seventies, particularly in the US. They followed in the path trodden by the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell et al but their musical direction tended to be more led by commercial considerations and was generally less innovative. Carly did however write and perform some fine songs and was blessed with striking looks and a great, slightly dusky voice.

Carly’s first introduction to the music business was in fact around the same time as Dylan and Mitchell as, way back in 1964, at the age of nineteen Carly was in a duo with her sister older sister Lucy and were known, unsurprisingly, as the Simon Sisters. They did in fact get a recording contract and had a minor hit as well as releasing two albums.
On her return Carly returned to New York and recorded some material (backed by the Band) that was never released. She then formed a song writing partnership with film critic Jacob Brackman and earned a wage singing on jingles (Carly was never going to starve being the daughter of legendary publisher Richard Simon). In 1969 she was signed to Electra with her debut album released in 1971. Success came relatively quickly with her first two albums making the top thirty in the US, but it was her third album No Secrets which would propel Carly to Superstardom.

Not as introspective as her peers her writing was often sharp and lyrically clever and her early work is full of some great songs

Very gifted storyteller who deserves more than three albums on here. Where on earth is Coming Around Again (her big comeback), Boys In The Trees, Hotcakes, Letters Never Sent?

From Tamthebam 07/04/2013 12:45

I have always loved Carly ever since I heard "Your So Vain" her No Secrets album is brilliant as is her later albums Coming Around Again ('87)and Moonlight Serenade ('05). A good singer songwriter.