Borgata 10/18/08 Review/Recount - Excuse the length!

[CM]

Carly Simon at the Borgata Event Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
October 18, 2008
Chris Matthews

According to her website, Carly Simon decided to join together with some of her favorite band members to have a one-off concert in Atlantic City at the Borgata. She did just that, with a line up featuring many names that have been plastered all over her albums. By her side throughout the concert was her son, Ben Taylor, along with British musician, songwriter and friend David Saw. Peter Calo was to Carly’s other side, acting as guitarist and music director for the concert. On drums were two men we hear about often. One was producer and fellow Vineyard-ite Jimmy Parr. The other was Larry Ciancia. Forgive me for not remembering the names of Carly’s backup vocalist, cellist or keyboardist. Although they both performed wonderfully, both my friend and I agreed that the vocalist had a bit too much of a stage presence, almost as if she needed to be pinched and reminded “this isn’t about you.” Carly seemed to have an issue remember the keyboard player's name, and the cellist had his name pronounced several different ways.There was a longing for Sally to be on stage this evening, in my own opinion and as expressed by Carly – “I really miss [Sally]” she mentioned at one point. It was really a great line-up of incredibly talented musicians. Even Molly the dog joined Carly on stage for the first few songs. She began to act up and Carly actually held the dog in her arm while performing until she was banished backstage. According to Carly, by putting the dog backstage it’s much more exciting when the two are reunited after the show.

The show began a little after eight to what appeared to be an almost sold out house. The Borgata event center isn’t huge, which allows great views all around. A side effect of our seats was the extreme angle we had to crane our necks to which resulted in some (still lingering) stiffness. I guess that’s the price you pay for being a little closer and off to the side. Worth it? In the words of Sarah Palin, “You betcha!.” Speaking of Sarah Palin, Carly mentioned her and “Joe the Plumber” at one point, and Ben mentioned the presidential election. when he played a song that included the word “America”. The response was interesting, as the people around me were not interested in hearing anything about politics. As our very own Jeffrey (photomojo) pointed out to me this afternoon, one of the first things people cut out of their budget is entertainment and with the economy the way it is, there were empty seats and a theatre full of people who wanted to take a brief vacation from politics. I’d also be willing to bet that many of the audience members have moved a little further to the right since they started listening to Carly in the seventies. From what I understand, Carly is still on the left. I’m assuming Ben may lean that way too. Best to avoid the booing.

The format of the show was different, but I liked it. Instead of an opening act of Ben and David, Carly opened up the show. Twice during the show Carly left the spotlight, once disappearing behind stage and later taking a seat behind Ben to enjoy his wonderful music. This format allowed a full two hours of music, with no intermission. I wish it had been longer, and I think a two hour concert for the ticket price was a bit light, but any Carly is okay with me. Carly expressed her regrets that she couldn’t play more songs after her microphone fell and she recounted her experience playing “That’s the Way I Always Heard It Should Be” as the final song in her set opening for Cat Stevens. I believe I recall hearing the story somewhere, but Carly was distracted and stripped herself of stage fright through the distraction of her microphone going across her piano like a typewriter that night in the early 70’s. As she told the story tonight, she sang a few lines from the song. Cheers erupted and the audience quickly began requesting to hear “That’s the Way I Always Heard It Should Be”. Carly conceded that they had taken the song off their list and Ben chimed in that it wasn’t even worth trying to get them to play it. What a bummer! Anyhow, I sort of feel like the alternate format allowed us to be tricked into a shorter concert.

Carly began with “With a Few Good Friends” from Winnie the Pooh. An odd song to start with, but she really proved that her voice was perfect and she was going to be on fire for the whole night. After she finished she told the audience how the first song is always a “throw-away song” as everyone takes a close look to see what the artist is wearing and then ask questions like “Wait, who was she married to? Was it Cat Stevens? Mick Jagger?” An eruption of laughter followed from the audience. She introduced her next song, “Anticipation” by mentioning that as she has aged, her songs have taken on new meaning and therefore required a bit of reworking. “Anticpation” sounded great, a little different at the beginning but ending with the same “these areeee the good old dayssss!”. A great remix. Carly then performed “This Kind of Love” which sounded great. I was amazed by the way she sang the Portuguese without batting an eye. Next was Ben’s song “Island” that Carly included on her most recent album. She sounded wonderful and really does justice to the song that Ben performs so wonderfully himself.

At this point, as far as I recall, and please forgive me if I’m wrong, Carly left the stage to allow Ben and David to play. I wish I could tell you what they played, but not knowing Ben’s new album or any of David’s music, I was at a loss for trying to remember. So this blurb will have to be filled in by someone who remembers… Sorry!

Carly came back on stage to perform “Let the River Run”. Her entrance was awesome, with the band chanting her name over and over in place of the St. Thomas Choir of Men Boy’s. She sounded so good! Next was a beautiful song of Ben’s about leaving a girl. It’s a young song, one and a half months old, and I have no idea what the title is. It was great though, and I hope , for everyone’s benefit, to hear it again soon on a new album. Carly then sang Kris Kristoferson’s “I’ve Got to Have You”. She literally sounded just like she did over thirty-five years ago. Once again, on fire! She followed this cover with another, “a great country song”, which turned out to be “Oh! Susana”. I’d be willing to say she sounded better tonight singing that song than she did on the album. A great choice and a great sing-a-long.

Once again, I think Ben and David took over for a few songs. Carly sat in the background and even joined in on a few songs. I noticed during one song she was holding up the lyrics so she could sing along. I always forget that she doesn’t always remember every lyric.

Back to Carly… She sang “Coming Around Again” which sounded great, but I was disappointed that it didn’t segway into “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” as I’ve always felt like it was magic the way the two songs were joined together. Oh well! We then heard an energizing “You Belong to Me” which got the crowd standing. It was at this point that the stereotypical drunken women began standing and dancing and singing. There’s always a few at every concert I go to. They’re always quite entertaining. The one in front of me was almost kicked out. Carly closed the set with “Jesse” which sounded great. Such a loud song and a great way to end the night. Obviously, everyone stood and cheered. The cheering lasted a very short time and they came back out for an encore.

When she began her encore with “You’re So Vain”, I was worried that it would be her only encore. This was probably my least favorite mix of YSV so far, but at least her voice sounded good. I wa relieved when they finished YSV to a standing ovation and then began to sing another song. She began Neil Young’s “Ohio” by sort of singing along without words over and over, and then finally began singing the lyrics. I must say, what an amazing song. I’ve seen both Neil Young and Crosby, Stills and Nash in the past year, and I believe I heard “Ohio” at at least one of those shows, and I’ve heard the recording a hundred times at least, yet Carly’s was the most powerful I’ve heard yet. The relevance of the song is there, I’m just relieved that it’s not TOO relevant. As she said her goodnight and thanked us again and again, it was sad to know the night was over, but what a way to end it!

In conclusion, the show was AMAZING. As I said earlier tonight, the only thing that Carly left me longing for was a long list of tour dates to show off her beautiful, rejuvenated voice and her energy that rivals that of any twenty year old. As my friend and I discussed the show on the way back to our hotel, we both agreed that she looked hot tonight, like cougar hot, and she defiantly did not look, sound, or dance around the stage like the 63 year old she is. The only sign that she wasn’t eighteen like us was her discussing her status of being a grandmother and how people wonder about the authenticity of her hair color. She also mentioned how she feels a bit older when she sees herself in the mirror without her makeup on, but who cares! Carly proved tonight, once and for all, with or without make-up, hair color, or a band, that baby, she’s the best!

[bill]

TERRIFIC REVIEW!

Thanks Chris!.. sounds like it was a really wonderful show!

[Page 14]

Thanks so much Chris! Great review! I'm so happy to hear that everything went so well. I wish (maybe a little selfishly) that Carly would play a little closer to the midwest again. But whatever ... it's just great to hear that she's still bringing the house down.



Bob

[shrubin]

I was also there last night and thought the show was awesome. Carly sounded great not to mention looking fabulous;hard to believe she is 63! The Ben and David songs that were played were-"Broken Down Figure" and "Buy My Record"(David) and "Wilderness" , "Wicked Way" and a song with the chorus"America" (Ben). The new Ben song that Carly sang was " After It's Over"( from Ben's new CD). I like Ben and David's music-in fact I will be seeing them perform tonight at Philly's World Cafe Live!(As a friend of mine said=no such thing as too much Simon-Taylor music!). I LOVED the "Ohio" encore with Eric Bazilian(Hooters) playing along! Yes, I was one of the women(not drunk-just into the music) dancing along and clapping.Don't think I was the one almost kicked out . Great show!

[Wys]

welcome back CM
Thanks for sharing your Carly experience, it sounded like a very interesting show.
I never got to see her singing "Live" it's a rare thing with her anxiety.
Ben Taylor is performing in my city in November at a small former dance club. Doubt if I will go to it.
I seen him once when he was pushing his Among the Barns cd.
Really looks like James.. only taller... you can also see the Carly influences around the lower part of his face.
She did a good job raising him. He has the brains of Carly.

[jose]

Thanks CM for your great review!
"WIth a Few Good Friends" and "Ohio"..., what a big surprise! I like when she plays unexpected songs.
You were all very lucky!

[dot]

What a night!!!! Chris gave such an excellent review that there is not much in terms of details that I can add. Her rendition of I've Got To Have You was soulful and she really belted it. This was after Island and before she left the stage and took a little break. I also LOVED her reworked version of You Belong To Me it had some calypso to it and suited her range. Ohio braught down the house- it was good old fashioned, kick ass rock and roll, she of course was amazing. It was the perfect way to end the show. She also sang It's Over from Ben's new album and after said that she is sure that this song will one day be considered a classic. It is a beautiful song, and hearing her do it gave me chills.

One of the things that I really appreciated was her connection to the audience. She bantered quite a bit and was open, funny, quirky and of course charming. After A few Good Friends she said that the first song is usually a throw away, it gives folks a chance to say... "look at her", is that her real hair color"? Is she married to Cat Stevens"? I heard she is married to Joe the Plumber". No isn't he married to Sarah Palin... oh, no, Sarah Palin is on Saturaday Night Live Tonight"!!

Then there was Molly. Molly pranced around the stage, acting up. While Carly tried to sing and sway to TKOL Molly bounced up and down like a pogo stick in front of her pawing at her legs till she picked her up and held her!! Finally someone had to take Molly off stage. Carly said that's ok, it gives us a new dynamic and something to anticiapate later!

After she sang Coming Around Again she said "isn't this so true". "We can Come Around Again, and Love again. " I think we all have 2 or 3 great loves of our life, ... okay maybe 4 or 5"!

She also talked about performing at the Troubador in 1971 and how nervous she was and then teased the crowd by singing the first 2 lines of Thats the Way I've Always Heard It should be. It would have been amazing to have heard the whole thing and she did say that they considered it but decided not to.

Ben and David were great. Ben is really coming into his own. I was able to meet him after the show and have him sign his new CD which in my opinion is his best one yet. I also picked up a light weight grey hoodie that says This Kind of Love on the front and Carly Simon 2008 on the back. There were also TKOL T shirts and autographed copies of TKOL available.

The Borgata is a great place to see a show. The acoustics were good and it seems to me that all seats had a good view. We were in the 6th row one section over from where CM was. Prior to the show I bumped into Etta, and spotted her right away thanks to her apricot scarf. I didn't get a chance to see her after the show. I am anxious to hear her impressions.

And last but not least, a big shout out to my new BFF Jayson! Thanks to him I was able to go to the show. He was kind enough to offer me his extra ticket and a ride down to Atlantic City from Long Island. We spent the day together and had a blast. There is nothing like attending a Carly concert with someone who is as passionate about her as you are. It was fun telling Carly stories and breaking out into Carly song at various times. We discovered that we have so many coincidences where we either know the same people or have been to the same places as at the same time , it seems like our paths have been crossing in various ways till we finally met each other on line at Starbucks last May for Carly's performance. It is always a nice surprise in life to make a new friend

If I think of anything else I'll chime in... oh, Curt asked me to post my thoughts as the house went dark, before she came on stage. It was joyful intensity. A total In the Moment and Ecstatic feeling. And when she appeared and started belting it.... absolute joy.....

dot

[carlyrules87]

Reading these reviews really makes me happy. I wish I could have been there to hear Carly, but maybe next time

[GG]

Thanks to Chris, Dot and shrubin for posting their reviews!

I love reading your thoughts and impressions of the concert! What a great show--and how wonderful that her voice was fabulous!
Opening with "A Few Good Friends" seems like a fantastic idea!--It must have been fun to be there with Carly being so relaxed and at the top of her game, so to speak! I'm looking forward to attending a Carly live performance--it is fun to think that it may happen!...

Judy

[hejiraNYC]

I figured I should toss in my $0.02, although Chris definitely covered the bases nicely.

I know it's not fair to compare the Carly of today with the Carly of 1995... and I know that Carly's voice has changed in recent years... but a boy can dream and hope that somehow that THE voice would have come back from whatever it was ailing from. Well, alas... that glorious voice from 1995 was nowhere to be found... although I must admit that, as Chris stated, she sounded superb on "I've Got to Have You." In fact, I was encouraged when Carly came out sounding strong and clear during the first mini-set of songs. It really wasn't until later on in the show that she started sounding off. I think she needs to drop "Coming Around Again" from the set forever. I was never a big fan of the song, but it's just painful to hear it at such a low key and so strained vocally (and full of bum notes). And I just could not get into the re-worked version of "You Belong To Me" that had a vaguely Brazilian tinge to it and was also dropped a step or two key-wise. What I especially didn't like about it was the way she dropped the falsetto parts ("Tell her, tell her you were foolin'...") altogether. So it was just "You belong to me..........You belong to me..........You belong to me." Meh.

But what really irked me was the fact that the show was about 100 minutes in length, and easily 25-30 minutes of it was devoted to Ben and David's songs. I mean, I like them well enough... but I didn't pay $175 to watch the Carly Kiddie show! And it wasn't like Carly was off stage doing some "production" while the kids were on- not even a change of outfit (by the way, she was wearing an olive green velvent pantsuit with a cami underneath). I think for them to call this a "Carly Simon in Concert" show vs. "Carly Simon, Family and Friends" is deceptive. I do realize that maybe she needed to give her voice a rest... but it's not like she's in the midst of some grueling tour. This is a one-off! Another thing that wasn't as irksome as it was unfortunate was the fact that there was very little piano in the set with the exception of the new song. I mean, they had an actual grand piano on stage that was used only once; it could have been used a lot more. It would have just totally rocked my world to just see Carly sitting in front of a piano and singing her heart out (like she did in 2005 on "Haven't Got Time for the Pain.").

Ultimately, I consider this show worthwhile, if for no other reason than the fact that it was Carly being Carly- neurotic tendencies and all. And it was great to see that she looked healthy and in good spirits. And indeed, she's got the same hair and those same Carly moves from the seventies, you know, the one where she is slightly hunched over and bopping up and down...

[hejiraNYC]

I'm looking forward to attending a Carly live performance--it is fun to think that it may happen!...

Judy

Oh, this reminds me... believe it or not, they were actually selling Carly "tour merchandise" in the lobby! They had a baseball jersey, a sleeveless T and a baby doll T with "Carly Simon 2008" on the front and "This Kind of Love" on the back in very plain black lettering. No graphics or images at all. To be honest, I thought it looked really, really weird... almost an after-thought. I mean, why did they even bother? That is... unless there was actually a tour.

[carlyrules87]

I'm looking forward to attending a Carly live performance--it is fun to think that it may happen!...

Judy

Oh, this reminds me... believe it or not, they were actually selling Carly "tour merchandise" in the lobby! They had a baseball jersey, a sleeveless T and a baby doll T with "Carly Simon 2008" on the front and "This Kind of Love" on the back in very plain black lettering. No graphics or images at all. To be honest, I thought it looked really, really weird... almost an after-thought. I mean, why did they even bother? That is... unless there was actually a tour.

Oh man I hope you're right. I will totally beg and plead my parents to buy me tix as a grad present if there's going to be a tour

[sing]

I agreed with heijiraNYC my wife and I was disappointed that over 40% of the show was devoted to Ben and David. Seeing how this is the first time we are seeing Carly live and that we have traveled over 1100 miles to see her it is a big disappointment and I can hear people grumbling all around me.

Nevertheless I must agreed that Carly is in good form and it is a treat to see her live. I only wish that they labeled the show Carly Simon and friends or Carly Simon with special guest, Ben Taylor. Also it would be so much better if Ben and David open the show instead breaking the way they did it. By the time Ben get to his third song I can hear a lot of mumbling around me!

[Mike]

I didn't see the Borgata show but I am glad I got to see the Moonlight tour. I think I would have been disappointed with so little of Carly for $175 a ticket.The Moonlight tour was $65 in Chicago and I was front and center, and the set list seemed so much better. I liked how they let Sally and Ben open and the rest of the show was all Carly. If she does tour down the line I hope she changes the format. Why did she perform so many covers and not more of her own songs? With her library of material she could have easily done a 2 or 3 hour show.

[hejiraNYC]

Why did she perform so many covers and not more of her own songs? With her library of material she could have easily done a 2 or 3 hour show.

I suspect that there aren't too many older Carly-penned songs that she can still do without straining her voice. After all, she herself admitted that her songs were especially difficult to sing, which rendered them largely unsuitable for being covered by other artists. That being said, I really wonder what she was smoking when she decided that adding "Oh Susanna!" to the setlist was a good idea. It would have been so great if Carly could have dusted off a deep cut from a long-neglected album... like the way she did "Private" on the MS tour. I seriously would have plotzed!