Boys in the Trees

Carly Simon's 1971 debut left a strong impression of a well-bred young woman singing rather wistfully. On her third album, No Secrets (1972), hit-maker Richard Perry brought out a more uninhibited side, and ‘You're So Vain’ reached No. 1 in America. After her marriage to James Taylor, Playing Possum, her fifth album, established an individual character different from Carole King or Joni Mitchell, adding lustre as she became an ever more compelling woman.

Her seventh original album produced the No. 6 American hit ‘You Belong to Me,’ co-written with Michael McDonald. Under Arif Mardin's production, fusion and AOR-style performances centred on members of Stuff bring out its quiet feeling. They balance well with songs of acoustic texture, conveying the appeal of a mature Carly. Her husband's contributions are interesting for their funkiness; on the Everly Brothers cover ‘Devoted to You,’ the couple sing a close, intimate duet.