Kim Carnes Album: “Voyeur [Bonus Tracks]”

the waiting for the CD release of this brilliant recording of Miss Carnes. This is what it might be Carne's masterpiece. It's clear how ahead of her time she was when making this record. Kim Carnes, producer Val Garay, and her band had crafted a sophisticaded pop-rock album blending a variety of styles and sounds, resulting in an excellent record. This is an essential and a must have recording of an underrated female singer-songwriter. Also, it comes with three previously unreleased songs. Go, get it and listen.

September 1982 - Carnes explored hard rock in the album "Voyeur ." EMI staff thought 6 tracks would be a potential chart single - but only 2 tracks charted in Billboard. "Voyeur" single peaked #28, and the album reached #48.

Next year "Does It Make You Remember" would peak #36.

February 1983 - Kim Carnes was nominated for a Best Pop Vocal Performance (female) Grammy Awards , for "Voyeur." She didn't win, but just the nomination was a recognition of a remarkable singing and songwriting talent, with a great beaty and feeling.

What Kim Carnes have said about "Voyeur":

"I've had some songs I've written that record company - people at my record company didn't want to be on the album. I had a video off my Voyeur album - was the title cut, 'Voyeur.' And MTV I think had been in existence maybe a year, year-and-a-half, and it was very different then as far as what they show now. And 'Voyeur,' they would only show at night, like, after a certain time. There was a little bit of a violent scene in the video, and by today's standarts, it would be nothing, but back then - imagine MTV censoring something. It's - but they did. Now Europe didn't. It was played, played all over Europe, but here, it was censored." - she confessed to Ken Paulson in a 2003 interview.

I waited for the re-release of this amazing album for years after my casette player chewed up my original casette tape back in the mid-80s. While possibly lacking the mass appeal of _Mistaken Identity_ this material is an even better showcase for Kim Carnes distinctive vocal charms. Possibly a little too idiosyncratic for the drive-by listener, but if you like _Mistaken Identity_ you have to *love* this album. Get it while you can.

I bought the Voyeur cassette before I had listened to her other music. Her song-writing and mastery of combining new wave into pop music will place her as one of the top American divas.

I was sad for many years for her not being recogized as a talented and gifted artist, even at a time when other music was becoming popular. I played the Voyeur cassette many times and, finally, wore it out. I spent years searching for another copy but could not find one at any price.

I was waiting for a resurgence of her music because the Voyeur CD is one of the greatest recordings ever done. I was not alone because now it's on a CD! It's about time!

Now, let's give her the recognition she truly deserves and put her back on the charts where she belongs.

Other reviewers here have commented on the strengths of this CD, so I won't repeat their remarks. However, if you're interested in Kim's work, try "Mistaken Identity" first. It's her best CD, and if you like it, then this is the place to go next. I'm still a bit baffled as to why this LP bombed when it was released back in 1982. The sound is a bit more uniform than "Mistaken Identity" and even though it lacks a song as great as "Bette Davis Eyes", few performers reach peaks like that on every album. This reissue is also noteworthy for three bonus cuts that are not listed here on Amazon. They are the 12" version of "Voyeur", a version of "Little Bit Of Love" by Dwight Twilley, and a live rendition of "Still Hold On", which appeared on "Mistaken Identity" in its studio version. The version of "Little Bit Of Love" is really great. Dwight released the same song as the follow-up to his 1984 comeback hit, "Girls", and it didn't make much of an impression then, unfortunately. Kim's vocal sounds amazingly like Dwight's on this. If you're a true fan, this song is worth checking out.