Playing Possum | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 21, 1975 | |||
Recorded | 1974–1975 | |||
Studio | Sound Labs, Sunset Sound Recorders, Crystal Sound, A&M Studios and Burbank Studios, California | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 34:48 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer | Richard Perry | |||
Carly Simon chronology | ||||
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Singles from Playing Possum | ||||
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Playing Possum is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Elektra Records, on April 21, 1975.
It was Simon's third consecutive album to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Pop albums chart, peaking at No. 10 in June 1975. The lead single from the album, "Attitude Dancing", which featured Carole King on backing vocals, was also a success, peaking at No. 21 on Billboard Pop singles chart, and No. 18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. A second single, "Waterfall", which featured prominent backing vocals by Simon's then-husband James Taylor, didn't fare as well, reaching no higher than No. 78 on the Pop singles chart. It fared much better on the Adult Contemporary chart, entering the Top 40 and peaking at No. 21. The album's third and final single "More and More" was co-written by New Orleans pianist Dr. John, who also played piano on the track, along with Ringo Starr on drums, but it peaked no higher than No. 94 on the Pop singles chart.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
In his review of the album, Stephen Holden of Rolling Stone said it "represents a breakthrough of sorts for Simon", in her continued shift from a "sensitive singer/songwriter role" to a "rock songstress". He wrote that "Attitude Dancing" was "easily the most exciting Carly Simon cut since 'You're So Vain.'" Other standouts from his review were "After the Storm", "Love Out in the Street", "Are You Ticklish", "Look Me in the Eyes", "Waterfall", and "Slave". [2] Cash Box said of the single "More and More" that "Carly belts out a hard blues vocal over barrelhouse piano, with Memphis style horns and a soulful female chorus lending support." [3]
Today, Playing Possum may best be remembered for its controversial cover photograph, which shows the singer wearing only a black negligee, sheer-to-waist pantyhose, and knee-high black boots. The photographer was Norman Seeff. [4] It was nominated for Best Album Package at the 18th Annual Grammy Awards in Feb. 1976. [5] In 1991, it ranked at No. 20 on the Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest album covers. [6]
Simon further included photographs from the session in the booklets accompanying her three-disc boxed set Clouds in My Coffee (1995) and the two-disc Anthology (2002). The latter also includes the singles "Attitude Dancing" and "Waterfall". [7]
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | Grammy Awards | Best Album Package | Playing Possum A | Nominated | [5] |
Notes
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [8]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "After the Storm" | Carly Simon | 2:47 |
2. | "Love Out in the Street" | Simon | 3:40 |
3. | "Look Me in the Eyes" | Simon | 3:34 |
4. | "More and More" | 4:02 | |
5. | "Slave" |
| 3:54 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Attitude Dancing" |
| 3:52 |
2. | "Sons of Summer" | Billy Mernit | 3:05 |
3. | "Waterfall" | Simon | 3:31 |
4. | "Are You Ticklish" | Simon | 2:26 |
5. | "Playing Possum" | Simon | 3:57 |
Total length: | 34:38 |
Album – Billboard (United States) [9]
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1975 | Billboard 100 | 10 |
Album – International
Year | Country | Position |
---|---|---|
1975 | Australia [10] | 25 |
Canada [11] | 22 | |
Japan [11] | 70 |
Singles – Billboard (United States) [9]
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | "Attitude Dancing" | Adult Contemporary | 18 |
Hot 100 | 21 | ||
"Waterfall" | Adult Contemporary | 21 | |
Hot 100 | 78 | ||
"More and More" | 94 | ||
Gorilla is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. Released in May 1975, it was more successful than Walking Man, his previous release. Two album tracks released as singles, "Mexico" and "How Sweet It Is ", rose to the top five on the Billboard charts. This would be Taylor's second-to-last album of new material for Warner Bros. Records, his last being In the Pocket. In many ways, Gorilla showcased Taylor's electric, lighter side that became evident on Walking Man. The song "Sarah Maria" is about his daughter Sally. His then-wife Carly Simon was featured on "How Sweet It Is ", originally recorded by Marvin Gaye. Jimmy Buffett recorded "Mexico" on his 1995 album Barometer Soup and performed "Lighthouse" during his Salty Piece of Land tour of 2005.
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