Never Been Gone

Last updated

Never Been Gone
CarlysimonNeverbeengoneUSversion.jpg
Studio album by
Carly Simon
ReleasedOctober 27, 2009
Recorded1970, [1] Summer 2008–2009
Genre Pop, adult contemporary
Length49:25
Label Iris
Producer Carly Simon, Ben Taylor, Larry Ciancia, Peter Calo, David Saw, Ben Thomas
Carly Simon chronology
Carly Simon Collector's Edition
(2009)		Never Been Gone
(2009)		 Original Album Series
(2011)
International version CD cover
Never Been Gone UK cover.jpg

Never Been Gone is the 23rd studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Iris Records, on October 27, 2009.

Contents

Featuring acoustic versions of many of Simon's past hits along with two new songs, "No Freedom" and "Songbird", the album peaked at No. 134 on the U.S. Billboard 200. [2] The International version peaked at No. 45 on the United Kingdom's UK Albums Chart in 2010. [3] It was given away free with The Mail on Sunday newspaper on March 28, 2010. [4]

Background

The album was conceived in the summer of 2008, during which time Simon was having problems promoting her previous album, This Kind of Love , which had been released through Starbucks' Hear Music label. Simon claimed that the company had failed to promote it properly. [5] Simon's son, Ben Taylor, convinced her to channel her energies into making a new album.

Never Been Gone features new acoustic versions of many of Simon's hits spanning her career, plus two previously unreleased songs — "No Freedom", a new song written years before with her son, Ben Taylor, and singer-songwriter David Saw, and "Songbird", a demo written in 1970 and finished for this album. [1] The album was recorded at her home on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 56/100 [6]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [8]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Never Been Gone received overall mixed reviews. Entertainment Weekly rated the album B+ and stated "Underproducing these performances mostly works wonderfully" and credited Simon's son and producer Ben Taylor. [8]

The Los Angeles Times rated the album 3 out of 4 stars and stated "Artists who re-record touchstone songs from their catalogs take on the burden of coming up with something different enough to make that material newly relevant. Perhaps not surprisingly, Simon's tour through her nearly four-decade catalog succeeds best when she mixes things up the most," "The opening reading of "The Right Thing to Do" is pleasant, but things pick up with the vintage R&B groove of "It Happens Everyday," then deepen with a sophisticated treatment of "Boys in the Trees", while "You Belong to Me" is given a sultry Latin jazz arrangement, possibly an outgrowth of her Brazilian-tinged 2008 album This Kind of Love ," and concluded "What Simon does here is flip through the musical photo album and talk honestly about what place those old memories hold in her life now." [10]

PopMatters was less positive, rating the album 3 out of 10 stars and writing "Why would a legendary artist go back into the studio and re-cut her best-loved hits for a new release? What makes Carly Simon’s new project especially confusing is that no one thinks her classic singles need the least bit of tinkering with; those mellow-groove adult-contemporary folk-rock vibes are what made Simon a ‘70s superstar in the first place. A few tracks were singled out for praise, such as "Anticipation" which they stated as "harkening back to a world before squeeze bottles; the song is given a softer, slower acoustic-guitar reading, which works better as it sounds fresh without being gimmicky," "The Right Thing to Do” and the terrific "Coming Around Again" are fairly straightforward readings, but are certainly not improvements, leading back to the questions about the project’s overall purpose." [11]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [12]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Right Thing to Do" Carly Simon 3:46
2."It Happens Everyday"Simon4:19
3."Never Been Gone"
2:55
4."Boys in The Trees"Simon4:26
5."Let the River Run"Simon3:16
6."You're So Vain"Simon5:09
7."You Belong to Me"
4:14
8."No Freedom"
  • Simon
  • David Saw
  • Ben Taylor
3:39
9."That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be"
  • Simon
  • Brackman
5:19
10."Coming Around Again"Simon4:53
11."Anticipation"Simon4:52
12."Songbird"Simon2:37
Total length:49:25

Notes

Credits

Charts

Album – Billboard (United States) [13]

YearChartPosition
2009Billboard 200134
Folk Albums11
Independent Albums22

Album – International [3]

YearCountryChartPosition
2010United KingdomUK Albums Chart45

Related Research Articles

<i>Another Passenger</i> 1976 studio album by Carly Simon

Another Passenger is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on June 5, 1976.

<i>Letters Never Sent</i> 1994 studio album by Carly Simon

Letters Never Sent is the 16th studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Arista Records, on November 1, 1994.

<i>Celine Dion</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Celine Dion

Celine Dion is the eleventh studio album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, and her second English-language album. It was originally released by Sony Music on 30 March 1992, and features the Grammy and Academy Award-winning song "Beauty and the Beast", and other hits like "If You Asked Me To" and "Love Can Move Mountains". The album was produced by Walter Afanasieff, Ric Wake, Guy Roche and Humberto Gatica. It reached number one in Quebec, number three in Canada and was certified Diamond there, denoting shipments of over one million copies in this country. At the 35th Annual Grammy Awards, Celine Dion was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album has sold over five million copies worldwide. To support it, Dion toured as the opening act for Michael Bolton on his "Time, Love and Tenderness Tour" in the summer of 1992 through the United States. From August 1992 till March 1993, she toured Canada with her Celine Dion in Concert tour.

<i>Unforgettable... with Love</i> 1991 studio album by Natalie Cole

Unforgettable … with Love, also known as simply Unforgettable, is the thirteenth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. Released on June 11, 1991, the album includes covers of standards previously performed by her father, Nat King Cole. It was also her debut for Elektra Records, after being given her release from EMI Records.

<i>Elton John and Tim Rices Aida</i> 1999 soundtrack album by Various Artists

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida is a 1999 concept album that contains songs from, but predates the main production of, the 2000 musical Aida.

<i>A Million Year Girl</i> 1995 studio album by Max Sharam

A Million Year Girl is the debut studio album by Australian singer Max Sharam. The album was released on 15 May 1995 and peaked at number 9 on the ARIA chart and was certified gold.

<i>The Hits</i> (Faith Hill album) 2007 greatest hits album by Faith Hill

The Hits is the first greatest hits album by American country music singer Faith Hill issued in the United States. Originally slated for release on May 8, 2007, the album was delayed several times until it was finally released on October 2, 2007.

<i>Caterpillar</i> (Elisa album) 2007 greatest hits album by Elisa

Caterpillar is a best-of compilation by pop rock singer Elisa, mainly aimed at the international market. It's an international, revisited edition of Soundtrack '96-'06 and it has been published in Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

<i>Always</i> (Gabrielle album) 2007 studio album by Gabrielle

Always is the fifth studio album by English recording artist Gabrielle. It was released by Systemtactic Limited and Go! Beat Records on 1 October 2007 through Universal Music. Her first release in over three years, Gabrielle reteamed with longtime collaborators Julian Gallagher and The Boilerhouse Boys to work on the album. Always received positive reviews from music critics and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 11 and the UK R&B Album Chart at number 4. A supporting tour took place in February 2008.

<i>This Kind of Love</i> 2008 studio album by Carly Simon

This Kind of Love is the 22nd studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Hear Music, on April 29, 2008.

<i>David Archuleta</i> (album) 2008 studio album by David Archuleta

David Archuleta is the debut album by American singer David Archuleta. It was released first released in the US on November 11, 2008, by Jive Records. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on January 29, 2009. The first single, "Crush", was released to radio on August 1. The album was released in the UK on May 11, 2009. The UK album release was set to coincide with his UK tour with Rock/Pop band McFly in April/May 2009.

<i>Startin Fires</i> 2008 studio album by Blake Shelton

Startin' Fires is the fifth studio album by American country music singer Blake Shelton. The album was released on November 18, 2008 via Warner Bros. Nashville. Its lead-off single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone", became Shelton's fifth number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of February 7, 2009. "I'll Just Hold On" was released as the album's second single. For Starting Fires, Shelton co-wrote two tracks.

<i>Audience of One</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Heather Headley

Audience of One is the third studio album by the Trinidadian-American singer Heather Headley. It was released by the EMI Christian Music Group on January 13, 2009 in the United States, following Headley's transition from RCA Records. It is a collection of cover versions of popular gospel hymns as well as original songs, chiefly produced by Keith Thomas. It won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. In addition, Audience of One was nominated for a Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.

<i>Lullaby Singer</i> 2006 studio album by Miyuki Nakajima

Lullaby Singer is the 34th studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima, released in November 2006.

<i>Holiday Songs and Lullabies</i> 1998 studio album by Shawn Colvin

Holiday Songs and Lullabies is a studio album by American singer-songwriter and musician Shawn Colvin. It was released in 1998 on Columbia Records.

"Breathe" is a song recorded and written by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring American singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, taken from Swift's second studio album, Fearless (2008). Produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, the song is driven by an acoustic guitar and mandolin and features pianos and violins in the production. Lyrically, "Breathe" addresses heartbreak and the loss of a close friendship, though some critics interpreted it as a breakup song.

<i>Never Been Better</i> 2014 studio album by Olly Murs

Never Been Better is the fourth studio album by English recording artist Olly Murs. It was released through Epic Records on 21 November 2014 in Ireland and 24 November in the United Kingdom.

<i>No One Ever Tells You</i> 2015 studio album by Seth MacFarlane

No One Ever Tells You is the third studio album by American actor and singer Seth MacFarlane. The album was released on September 30, 2015 through Republic Records. The album features Frank Sinatra's bassist Chuck Berghofer as well as a 65-piece orchestra. The album is the follow-up to MacFarlane's 2014 Christmas album Holiday for Swing. Like his two previous albums, No One Ever Tells You was produced and conducted by film and television composer Joel McNeely. The album earned MacFarlane a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

<i>Stars</i> (Janis Ian album) 1974 studio album by Janis Ian

Stars is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Janis Ian, and the first of her seven for Columbia Records. Ian had previously had a three-year hiatus from the music industry since her 1971 album Present Company. In two years away from the music business, Ian wrote over 100 songs after moving to Los Angeles. She returned to play at the Philadelphia Folk Festival on August 17, 1973, and was signed by Columbia Records after several other companies rejected the songs she had written.

<i>In Real Life</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Mandy Moore

In Real Life is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Mandy Moore, released on May 13, 2022, via Verve Forecast Records. The album is a follow-up to her sixth studio album, Silver Landings (2020).

References

  1. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (October 23, 2009). "Carly Simon has "good time" revisiting old songs". Reuters . Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
  2. ↑ Trust, Gary (November 5, 2009). "Michael Jackson's "This Is It"". Billboard . Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "UK Charts > Carly Simon". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  4. ↑ Sime, Ian (April 9, 2010). "Carly Simon, Never Been Gone (Warner) ***; Reba McEntire, 50 Greatest Hits (Humphead) ***". The Press . Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  5. ↑ Ragogna, Mike (March 18, 2010). "Never Been Gone: A Conversation with Carly Simon". Huffington Post . Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Never Been Gone by Carly Simon". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Jurek, Thom. "Never Been Gone". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Willman, Chris (October 23, 2009). "Never Been Gone". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on June 7, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ Costa, Maddy (February 23, 2010). "Carly Simon: Never Been Gone". The Guardian . Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Lewis, Randy (February 23, 2010). "Album review: Carly Simon's 'Never Been Gone'". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  11. 1 2 Leftridge, Steve (October 26, 2009). "Carly Simon: Never Been Gone". PopMatters . Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  12. ↑ Never Been Gone (booklet). Carly Simon. Iris. 2009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ "Carly Simon – Chart history". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.