Rating: 
Summary: Captures The Mood
Review: A rather underrated CD, Ms. Simon handles some classic songs in sultry, atmospheric style. In this day of media consolidation, not much opportunity to hear any cuts on the radio, and that's a shame. Besides the haunting "Laura", other winners include "You Won't Forget Me" , "Every Time We Say Goodbye" and the title cut. An evocative CD with which to sit back and relax while one's mind travels back to another time and place, either imagined or lived.
Rating: 
Summary: Moving combination of songs and duets
Review: As a long time Jimmy Webb fan (I saw him recently in concert in Kansas City with Michael Feinstein) and an admirer of Carly Simon I must have listened to the CD over a hundred times. The duet "Spring will be a little late this year" makes me remember those close to me that I have lost all of whom looked forward to their next spring. Such a treat to listen to good music by those who both write and sing! Donna Brown
Rating:
Summary: Moving combination of songs and duets
Review: As a long time Jimmy Webb fan (I saw him recently in concert in Kansas City with Michael Feinstein) and an admirer of Carly Simon I must have listened to the CD over a hundred times. The duet "Spring will be a little late this year" makes me remember those close to me that I have lost all of whom looked forward to their next spring. Such a treat to listen to good music by those who both write and sing! Donna Brown
Rating:
Summary: Carly Simon the original pop star doing the standards
Review: Carly Simon is always at her best when she's wrapping her vocals around lyrics of her own creation. This is not Carly at her best, a pleasant enough collection, this is a patchy assortment of classic tracks, with one Carly penned tune, the riveting title track. The tracks span from the beautiful longing of "Ev'rytime Time We Say Goodbye" to the boring refrains of "Don't Smoke In Bed". The bulk of the tracks have the sound of movie intrigue stapled to them, and tend to lean towards average at their very best. The all too short "You Won't Forget Me" does make a spine-tingling introductery track, but many of the tracks don't have it's fire. "Somewhere In The Night" is a sweet little song at the end of the album. Her duet with Jimmy Webb is just dull, and her track "Two Sleepy People", with film actor John Travolta is just mind-numbingly horrible. The song is just a horrible, horrible joke. The worst track of Carly's career? Could be very likely. All in all, the collection is smart, but doesn't seem to know how to show that, and just plods along until a rather welcome finish. Could have been better, I think.
Rating:
Summary: Film Noir Ranks On Top As "Classic Carly"
Review: I agree with the other reviewer, this CD is getting worn out by the laser on my CD player due to over-play, too. It's funny, but as time goes by, you find that certain CD's remain in your "always play" CD file, and this album is one of them. My favorite tracks on this album are "Every Time We Say Goodbye", and Frank Loesser's "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year",which was recorded as a duet with Jimmy Webb and vocally delivered in a simple, honest way. Another one of my favorite songs, and arrangements on Carly's album is her rendition of "Laura" (nominated for a Grammy a couple of years ago, but lost). By the way, if you get into 'film noir', and love the "Laura" theme, then get the new CD release called "Silver Screen Serenades" by 'cabaret' artist, Michael Poss. It contains a full-string arrangement to the lost love theme to Hitchcock's "Marnie". Both, Carly's and Michael Poss' arrangements emote the same mysterious, 'film noir' feel for the true movie love theme buffs. Carly's got class, always had it, and always will. I hope she climbs on top of all the music charts again, with her newest CD release. By the way, I loved "Two Sleepy People" which was intended to be delivered in a cute "sleepy" way by John Travolta and Carly Simon. Great CD!
Rating:
Summary: Carly in black and white
Review: I first saw this album on a tribute to film noirs on the Bravo network years ago in high school. I eventually sought it out and have never regretted the purchase. I even lent it to a friend who enjoyed it as well. Carly's vocals are rich and beautiful and fit the mood of the noir genre perfectly. Stand-out tracks include "Last Night When We Were Young", "Laura" and the absolutely touching "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year". The only truly uninspired track would be "Two Sleepy People" which is a poorly-done duet with John Travolta who I'm not fond of, but that's another story. Film Noir is a must buy for any fan of the genre and would also be a good choice for a Carly Simon fan's collection.
Rating:
Summary: All grown up...
Review: I had not made a point of keeping up with Carly Simon releases since graduating from high school in the early 70s. Perhaps it was one of those "things" that stayed associated with pep rallies and bell bottoms. I was all grown up now, and I surely believed my taste in music had changed.Then I heard about this new CD a couple of years ago, and my curiosity got the best of me. How glad I am! For Carly's music honors the standards she sings, much as an adept remake of a classic silent movie honors the genius of the original creators. You don't remake old films in B&W, nor do you rely on old technology and style when singing songs as great as these. She has preserved the sexiness and genuine allure of songs in bringing them forward by many decades. Like most reviewers, I agree that her "Spring will be a little late this year" duet excelled. I too keep Carly's CD either in or near the CD player of my computer. It brightens most every mood with its musical -- and star-quality -- fun.
Rating:
Summary: Carly at her best singing the classics
Review: This album completes the trilogy started with Torch and then My Romance. If you have the other two, this one will definitely not disappoint you.
Rating:
Summary: Film Noir Ranks On Top As "Classic Carly"
Review: This album is apt to prove a disappointment to genuine fans of film noir and great popular songs as well. Whereas the world of film noir is full of subtlety, seductive but duplicitous, the aura of this album is all obvious blacks and whites. Webb's arrangements bring to mind some of the worst qualities of 1950s hit music. He frequently doubles Simon's voice, and with a fake-reverb piano to boot. Simon possesses a wonderful instrument--strong yet smoky, capable of handling over 2 octaves without strain. Yet her approach to much of this rich material is, frankly, "square." Anyone who has heard the same material done by jazz-influenced singers--Sinatra or Bennet, Horn or Diana Krall, or anyone who has heard the orchestral settings of a Nelson Riddle or Johnny Mandel will experience impatience if not a letdown. On the other hand, for those listeners whose idea of a great composer is Elton John or Yanni, this could be useful as an introduction to some classic American popular songs. You're welcome to my copy.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This is an exceptional album. "Ev'ry time we say Goodbye" is the absolute best rendition of this Cole Porter song that I have ever heard..worth the price for that song alone. But the other songs are almost as memorable. Including the albums only original song "Film Noir" which Carly co-wrote with Jimmy Webb. This is a wonderfully produced and arranged album and surely any Carly fan or lover of 40's music can't help but enjoy this. Booklet contains black and white photos of Carly, and a 3 page essay by Martin Scorcese.
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