SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:47 Min.
For the same-named 1944 black-and-white mystery film starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, & Vincent Price, composer David Raksin created its melody as an instrumental. Due to the tune’s enduring popularity, songwriter Johnny Mercer contributed lyrics the following year. Among innumerable artists covering this jazz standard for nearly 80 years, Carly Simon offers her own homage on her 1997 cover album, Film Noir.
REVIEW:
Simon couldn’t have selected a more appropriate tune for her album. There are three equal components in play here: 1. David Raksin’s haunting melody still reverberates throughout this modern interpretation; 2. Johnny Mercer’s lyrics convey an eerie world caught between a ghost story and a wistful romantic fantasy; and 3. Channeled through Carly Simon’s ethereal vocals, her performance binds it all together.
In a first-class effort, this melancholic jazz classic comes to life again through Simon. Retroactively speaking, Simon’s cover would been ideal for the film itself. Absolutely recommended!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
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