Into White

The album has no synthesized sounds

Carly Simon began releasing collections of well-known rock and pop songs as far back as 80’s. Being a talented performer she was always able to introduce some new colors into the tunes that might seem to be an examples of XX century classics. Carly Simon’s new album Into White became her fifth collection of famous pop hits and ballads that would fit both categories of listeners: children and adults. Being released on the second of January it became the first musical sign of 2007 and an original gift on the occasion of New Year’s beginning. The album adopted its name after Cat Stivens’ song of the same title and touches mostly upon folk, jazz and country music, though there are a couple of original Carly Simon’s songs made up in her classic soft rock manner. A calm and peaceful atmosphere of the songs evokes associations with lullabies that mothers sing to their children to make them sleep. There are no synthesized sounds or electronic instruments here, only acoustic ones, and even drums are rarely used, the song’s rhythmical basis is mostly represented by the guitars, or the sounds retrieved from non-typical percussions.

Into White is a collection of the most beautiful lullabies

The very first song Into White sounds like an invitation to a gentle, beautiful world of lullabies and bedtime stories represented by the album’s 14 tracks. Sinning it in a low voice Carly creates an unbelievably intimate air, it seems like she is sitting right next to you whispering her words right into your ear. And even a beautiful and deep acoustic arrangement of the song can’t distract your attention from her voice. It is really astonishing to hear how did she make Paul McCartney’s Black Bird, this well-known ballad has turned into a quiet and softest song that would be the best thing to hear on a cold winter evening having some candles burning by your side. Carly performs a James Taylor’s song You Can Close Your Eyes together with her children Ben and Sally Taylor who sing harmony vocals during the entire composition. It is strange but though this track was also meant to have the peaceful vibes, it possesses a little bit of eerie and cold atmosphere. However it doesn’t mean it is a bad track, it just stands out as the most mystique here. The final tracks of Into White are Simon’s original songs: Love Of My Life from the film This Is My Life and I’ll Just Remember You, which was composed together with Ben Taylor.

The entire album lies under the general concept

Overall Into White is an album that could be referred to Carly Simon’s best works. The production works are clear and rich, every song perfectly fits her vocals and her interpretation of the songs doesn’t outweigh the original material, it rather opens some of their secret features that had no chance to find the place in the original versions. But the main and the most poignant peculiarity of the album lies in that how Carly managed to place every song under the general concept. The entire album is soaked with magic peacefulness and the feeling of maternal kindness, which could be reflected only by a woman. Regardless that this album is totally different from the previous Carly Simon’s records, it still has some peculiar features characteristic only to her. It is impossible to refer Into White to any other female performer. A unique charm of this album is a true gift for soul, which is capable to please you with endless minutes of joy.