nedjelja, 13.12.2009.
Carly Simon - Christmas Is Almost Here (2003)
A mix of old favorites and new compositions, of sparse acoustic and full-bodied electric arrangements, Carly Simon's Christmas Is Almost Here is full of holiday treats. Simon's soothing voice sounds perfectly at home here, even though much of the album was recorded live in a Beverly Hills hotel room. Kudos to producer Don Was, who captured Simon's comfortable spontaneity, especially on the many tracks with little more than an acoustic guitar and her lovely vocals. The album begins quietly, with Livingston Taylor's melancholy title track, Simon's own soaring ballad "The Land of Christmas (Mary)," and the traditional carols "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night." The mood lightens with the rousing gospel tune "Twelve Gates to the City," featuring Billy Preston's funky organ work. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," a duet with Simon's son Ben Taylor, employs a subtle reggae beat anchored by drummer extraordinaire Jim Keltner and a slinky electric piano line courtesy of Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers. Keltner and Tench also help out on the cover of John Lennon's passionate "Happy X-mas (War Is Over)." In another star turn, Willie Nelson drops in for "Pretty Paper," his voice seductively wrapping around Simon's. As the recently released Anthology reminds us, Carly Simon's been delivering pop pleasures for more than 30 years. Christmas Is Almost Here is a welcome new gift from an old friend...S. Klinge
Carly Simon's first album of Christmas music is a family affair. Here, she covers songs by her former brother-in-law, Livingston Taylor (the title track), as well as reworking "Heaven Can't Be Far," a tune her sister Lucy penned in the '80s. Adding to the personal feel is Simon's duet with her son Ben Taylor on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," the two voices blending with a precision that only blood relatives can achieve. But the intimacy and warmth of the disc aren't due only to the appearance of her nearest and dearest; it's also the choice and treatment of the material, which includes three originals as well as inventive takes on such seasonal classics as "Silent Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." In addition, Simon tackles the gospel favorite "Twelve Gates to the City" with the same verve and spirit that she lent to her massive hit "Let the River Run," from the Working Girl soundtrack. The biggest surprise under Carly's tree isn't her elegant, moving cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," but her sweet duet with Willie Nelson on "Pretty Paper."...J. Uhelszki
Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 84 MB
Genre : Xmas Pop
2000mustangs
Tracklist:
01. Christmas Is Almost Here 3:53
02. O Come, All Ye Faithful 3:28
03. The Land of Christmas (Mary) 3:17
04. Silent Night 3:10
05. Twelve Gates to the City 3:10
06. I'll Be Home for Christmas 2:24
07. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 3:05
08. Heaven 3:09
09. Pretty Paper / Willie Nelson 3:29
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 3:08
11. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 4:12
