Kim Carnes, circa 2012, has three best-ofs/hits compilations out. The only one that seems to be in print is the worst of them: "The Mistaken Identity Collection" randomly adds five or six songs from other discs to her smash 1981 LP. "Gypsy Honeymoon" includes liner notes from Ms. Carnes and has most of her classic, less-gaudy hits.
Then there's this bargain-priced, even now that it's out of print, loud, tacky gem. Twelve tracks, eleven of which charted, in all their MTV (and VH-1) seeking glory. Except "More Love" and "Cry Like a Baby", which predated MTV. Though her raspy voice wasn't really suited for some of these songs, somehow they work. The handclaps, drum machines, and synthesizers are at full blast on "Voyeur", "Invisible Hands", and "You Make My Heart Beat Faster" and they are all big, stupid fun. Well, "Voyeur" is more eerie than stupid.
Only three songs overlap between this and "Gypsy Honeymoon": Miracles remake "More Love", from 1980; minor chart hit "Mistaken Identity"; and 1985's bizarre "Crazy in the Night (Barking at Airplanes)". Bizarre b/c the subtitle is not contained anywhere in the song lyrics. And b/c of the subject matter. And b/c of the whole song.
The glaring omission here is "Bette Davis Eyes", the huge #1 remake of the Jackie DeShannon/Donna Weiss song from 1981. Sonically it would have fit in, so I suspect it was left off for licensing reasons and/or to keep this at a budget price.
If you find this, listen to "I Pretend". Though not a big hit, it is hauntingly beautiful. Both this and "Gypsy Honeymoon" combine to form a fairly complete picture of Ms. Carnes' chart hits.
The CD was in perfect condition. Although I only was looking for one song on the CD, there was another song I really liked - so, for the price it was the bargain of the year! The seller "Maddwoman-Books" did an excellent job in shipping it to me. I couldn't be happer. Thanks a lot.
