Disco de Carly Simon: “Boys In the Trees”

Like a lot of fans, my first Carly album was this wonderful recording. I was familiar with her hits to that point, but it had never occurred to me she might have an entire album's worth of memorable songs. "Boys In The Trees" made a very deep first impression on me....I played this album continuously for three solid months; these days the CD version sits prominently in my "heavy rotation" rack.

Why the abject fanaticism? Put simply, this album "connected" with me like no other that Carly has released, with the possible exception of "Anticipation." Her original lyrics are a mix of searching poetry and plain-spoken observation. And while the production is typical of soft rock for the period, Carly's music here is flawless: melodic, hook-filled and dynamic Pop that anyone could appreciate. It's also a very personal recording, free of the pretensions and affectations that tend to color most "confessional" material.

Former Village Voice critic Robert Christgau once remarked that this album is where Carly first became adept at soulful vocalizing, and I couldn't agree more. She sounds completely natural and at ease, and her voice confidently navigates these songs with grace and undeniable passion. The eleven tunes on this album run the gamut from introspective to extroverted, and Carly never fails to rise to the challenge this kind of emotional depth requires.

"You Belong To Me" is a classic single she co-wrote with the Doobie Brothers' Michael McDonald. The soulful "flavor" of this tune is echoed in "Back Down To Earth," "Devoted To You," "You're The One" and "One Man Woman." Though some of Carly's previous work could be described as funky, "Boys In The Trees" is firmly rooted in a folk-soul fusion that 'tells it like it is' and isn't afraid to shake it's (figurative) fanny.

Every cut is a standout in some way, but here are some of my favorites: "Haunting" is a riveting piece, alternately stark and lush sounding but always true to it's title. The title tune's reflections on solitude and desire are resonant, if not heart-rending. "Tranquillo (Melt My Heart)" is a successful stab at dancefloor drama, with a strangely compelling maternal lyric.

Like "No Secrets," this album showcases Carly's many gifts without ever grandstanding or "playing possum." Intensely personal without a hint of artifice, "Boys In The Trees" is the kind of album that strikes a lasting chord with listeners. If you don't consider yourself a Carly fan, this album should win you over. For those of us who appreciate her unique artistry, "Boys In The Trees" is a must-own.

-Mic

In 1978, the music world was being overrun by disco. Recording ARTIST Carly Simon bucked the trend and reverted back to her folky roots for this poignant set, in the processing creating a folk-rock masterpiece that is charged with emotional power coursing through basically unadorned songs.

The set starts off with her big lead hit, "You Belong To Me", which she co-wrote with Michael McDonald, then of the Doobie Brothers. The song builds from the opening bass line (one of the best, next to the opening of "You're So Vain") into a musical surge. David Sandborn adds some great sax playing that mingles with Carly's vocals and the rhythm section is hypnotic. In a way, this song sets the pace for the album: Carly takes her time, each song building on its own strong merits, holding on to its own place, firmly.

Carly's songwriting is spectacular on "Boys In The Trees" as epitomized by the next track, the title song, which is a beautiful number about a young woman's recognition of the opposite sex and how she feels about her desires. Other songs evidence this strong songwriting, too: "Back Down To Earth" has a light country feel to it that gives this break-up song a touching musical backdrop. "De Bat (Fly In Me Face)" is a fun calypso number which shows she has a sense of humor. "In A Small Moment" is a great little moral story song (a la "The Carter Family" from "No Secrets"), telling of a young girl's lies which later flourish into out-and-out stealing and cheating. Her other masterpieces here include realization-of-love song "You're The One" and the magnificent "Haunting", a perfect art-song which showcases her fantastic vocals.

There is so much emotion in these folk-rock ballads that the really up-tempo numbers ("Tranquillo", a slight nod to the dance genre, and then-hubby James Taylor's bluesy-rock "One Man Woman") are enjoyable but do not overshadow.

The wistful "For Old Time's Sake" closes the album on a note of peacefulness, acknowledging that love gone can still be a uniting thread between two people who care so much for each other.

"Boys In The Trees" stands out as a strong testament to the artistry of a performer who is not about to sacrifice her muse in order to fit into the marketplace and who, in the process, became a beacon to those who still yearned for thoughtful, melodic songs amidst the haste and noise of the disco era. It has, therefore, stood the test of time extremely well, sounding as fresh and modern as it ever and always has.

By the time this album came out in 1978, I was fan enough to buy it on its first day of release. You Belong To Me was already becoming a major hit, but it's only one of many wonderful pieces on this thoroughly enjoyable album. My other two favorites are the title track, which Tori Amos now plays in concert, and the orchestral Haunting, replete with backup vocals by her opera singer sister. The tempos range from the bluesy rock of James Taylor's One Man Woman to the hushed, almost nursery rhyme loll of In a Small Moment. Lyrically, we are invited into the elegant intimacy suggested by the cover photo, and the emotional world we visit is full of passion, devotion, reflection, humor, and nostalgia. Whether Carly is singing a discofied lullaby to her baby boy or an aching plea to a lover going astray, her heart is on her sleeve, and that's just where we want it to be. Arif Mardin's arrangements are often lush, but scale back to the sparse when needed, never overshadowing Carly's glorious voice. A must have even 24 years later!

I thought I'd give Carly Simon a try in 1978.I've read great reveiws on this Album,so I bought"Boy's in the Tree's." "You belong to me" was a huge hit,co-written by Michael McDonald,and when radio stations play a Carly Simon song,this is the one they play. I'm still not tired of this record. "Melt My heart," should have been the next release.Its a great Disco song,and would have been a nice follow up single.Cissy Huston sings backup,along with James Taylor. "Devoted to you" was the second record released. A duet with JT,and a minor hit. Carly had a small tour with this album,and its one of her biggest hits. The year before Carly's,"Nobody does it better" was number 2 for weeks,and would have made it to the top if it wasn't for Debbie Boones,"You light up my Life." This was a great time in Carly Simon's life. She was having a nice comeback after two unsuccessfull Albums."Boys in the Tree's" put Carly back on top again,and remains one of her greatest albums of all times.

I grew up with Carly Simon's music. Now 60, I still appreciate the lyrics and her wonderful voice. She is the epitome of grace and humor, as a recent encounter in NYC proved. I was speechless for a moment but was able to tell her how much her music has always appealed to me. "Boys in the Trees" qualifies for an all-time masterpiece!