Released October 27th on Iris Records

Carly Simon performs “Let The Riverrun” on Good Morning America October 26th and “You Belong To Me” The Today Show on October 28th

This new album ‘Never Been Gone’ revisits songs originally written throughout Carly Simon’s extensively long and productive career.

The CD was recorded at home and consists of new largely acoustic versions of Carly’s biggest hits and two brand new tracks.

Carly’s son, Benjamin Taylor was the originator of the idea and Carly willingly (though, sometimes hesitatingly) complied and lived up to the dare. Carly, Benjamin, and the rest of the producers, known as “Paphiopedilium,” chose the songs, most of which were Carly’s best-known and commercially successful.

Buy Music:

Carly Simon on amazon.com

Carly Simon on amazon.co.uk

In the CDs generous liner notes is an explanation not only of the word, “Paphiopedilium,” but an explanation of the reworking of each of the songs. Carly hopes that even without these notes the music will speak for itself.

Says Simon, “It was a revelation to me that these lyrics and melodies were so innocent of age and experience when I composed them back when. ‘These are the Good Old Days’ were not nearly as ‘good’ or as ‘old.’ I was encouraged by performing some of these songs on a promotional tour for the album This Kind Of Love, which was released a year ago. Ben, David (Saw), Peter (Calo), Larry (Ciancia) and I, with only the instruments in our hands, revised the songs: songs such as ‘You’re So Vain’ and ‘Anticipation.’ They came out all different! It was a sport of sort, as well as a visit with a psychiatrist.”

Carly celebrated the commutation of her Godson John Forte’s prison sentence by collaborating with him on “You Belong To Me.” It has been one of the great thrills of Carly’s lifetime to be working with friends and family so close to her heart.

Though Sally Taylor, Carly’s daughter, was available only to work once during the course of the recording, the choice of song that she sings on so beautifully is a meaningful coincidence: “Boys In The Trees,” is a message that a daughter receives so hauntingly from her mother.

With so many old and new friends contributing to this album, it is perfect that Frank Filipetti be the man to mix it and Bob Ludwig the friend to master it.

We are proud to give Carly’s fans, old and new, a brand new look at ten of her best loved, well-known songs, as well as two never-heard-before surprises.

‘Never Been Gone’ includes “You’re So Vain,” “Coming Around Again,” “Anticipation,” “Let The Riverrun,” “You Belong To Me,” “That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be,” “It Happens Every Day,” “Never Been Gone,” “Boys In The Trees” and “The Right Thing To Do,” along with new songs “No Freedom” and “Songbird.”

Carly Simon widgets:

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A portion of the proceeds from ‘Never Been Gone’ will go to the Carly Simon Music Therapy Initiative; a collaboration between Carly Simon and Berklee College of Music that brings the healing power of music into the community at large.

‘Never Been Gone’ is released October 27, 2009 on Iris Records

Carly Simon is set to perform “Let The Riverrun” on Good Morning America October 26th and “You Belong To Me” The Today Show on October 28th.

Buy Music:

Carly Simon on amazon.com

Carly Simon on amazon.co.uk

For more music and information, go to:

Carly Simon Official Website

Photo Credit: Dave Tommo

After listening to Benjamin Taylor’s music on his website and MySpace page, I was quite interested to see him perform live.

Ben is Carly Simon and James Taylor’s son, so the idea of seeing him and hearing him in person was intriguing. Also, he’s from New England (Martha’s Vineyard), which is always a treat for me – running into fellow New Englanders in England.

The intimate showcase took place last Monday night downstairs at The Social in London. The Social is a great place for an acoustic show. There’s limited seating, but the stage is always in view as the room is quite small.

Before Ben started the set, his latest CD, ‘The Legend Of Kung Folk Part 1 (The Killing Bite)’ was playing through the speakers. You can look at this idea in two ways. Some might find his live show a repeat of what they just heard on the overhead. For me though, I liked the idea of hearing his tunes before the live show. It gave me a chance to get more acquainted with his music, and actually, made the night seem even more intimate.

Ben Taylor is a soft spoken guy, humble on stage and seems like he would fit right in with some of my friends from back home in Vermont – like by a fire at night…in the woods by a river. But I digress.

He played songs off of ‘The Legend Of Kung Folk’, along with David Saw, also on acoustic guitar, and there was bass (played left handed and upside down – or reverse headstock) and box drummer. One stand out of the night was David and Ben’s smooth harmonies. When singing in unison they sound almost as one – as though the same voice was layered in the studio. It’s always good to hear vocal harmonies in acoustic settings, but when their voices come together in unison, it makes the sound even warmer. David performed a song as well. His album, ‘Broken Down Figure’ features Ben, Christopher Thomas and Larry Ciancia. I’m looking forward to hearing it, which I have here, next to the computer.

Photo Credit: Patrik Andersson

One of my favorite songs of the night “Wicked Way”, is a song that had previously caught my ear from listening online. Now that I have Ben’s CD ‘The Legend Of Kung Folk’ and am listening to it now, I think it probably is one of the best tracks on the album. Although, the song did catch me off guard when I first heard it. With Ben’s gentle voice, and if you’re familiar with his parents, you can even hear them in there a little, I wouldn’t have expected a song with opening lyrics, “Well I just want to take you out and get you drunk so I can have my wicked way with you”. In the song he tells it like it is, maybe a bit harsh, but it’s how he feels about the girl and the three hours that he wants to spend with her. Blunt and real to life. Feminists won’t love it, but in this “wicked” world we live in, these things do actually happen, even if the song may be “tongue in cheek”.

“It’s Only Love” off of the album is also a winning track as is the laid back, sultry even, “Dangerous Girl”. Some well thought out placement of instruments, use of vocal effects and harmonies. The lyrics leave me wanting to know more about this dangerous girl, and what did she do? Excellent.

Jamie Cullum plays piano on three tracks – the intimate “After It’s Over”; the groovy “Wilderness” and – “Space”, which has a bit of an old school country feel, lovely guitars, bass and backing vocals by Ben’s sister Sally Taylor (who also contributes backing vocals on “Something For Nothing”) and yearning lyrics.

‘The Legend Of Kung Folk Part 1 (The Killing Bite)’ is set for UK release April 6, 2009.

The first single set for UK release is the radio friendly “She’s Gone” on April 20th.

Watch “She’s Gone” video:

Ben Taylor on amazon.com

Ben Taylor on amazon.co.uk

Ben Taylor will be playing in the UK in April. The live show was a great night out, and I would recommend seeing him – and why not buy the CD while you’re at it!

Ben Taylor Official Website
Ben Taylor MySpace

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

Kung Folk seeks not to know the answers but rather to understand the questions. Benjamin Taylor’s memorable melodies, immaculate acoustic guitar playing and insightful, honest lyrics demand your attention with 10 songs that come straight from the heart.

With his third full-length album, ‘The Legend of Kung Folk, Part 1 (The Killing Bite)’, Taylor puts the “kick” back into folk music to reveal the humour, wit and skill of a singer-songwriter who’s comfortable in both his own skin and with his impressive musical legacy.

The son of James Taylor and Carly Simon, Ben’s life was always centred on music, although he spent several years travelling the world, developing a deep appreciation for the earth and the outdoors.

Watch “Nothing I Can Do” video from ‘Another Run Around The Sun’:

Ben Taylor on amazon.com

Ben Taylor on amazon.co.uk

His acclaimed previous releases include his debut album, ‘Famous Among the Barns’, and ‘Another Run Around The Sun’. Both were released on Iris Records, owned and run by Ben and his drummer, Larry Ciancia (Everlast, Ray LaMontagne). It’s a place where the duo is able to control their artistic decisions and create opportunities for other like-minded artists.

Highlights from this era included appearances by Ben on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, The CBS Morning Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, and Howard Stern. He also made his acting debut with a recurring role on NBC’s American Dreams as Cal, a struggling singer/songwriter, and has appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone.

Making music has become as natural as breathing to Ben. Accordingly, this approach has coloured his songwriting on The Legend of Kung Folk – “Once you write it, a good song stands up on its own. You just have to be careful not to dress it in anything that will inhibit its natural potential. This time around I’m trying to focus less on making music and more on helping the music to make itself.”

On The Legend of Kung Folk, his songs run the gamut from the sonically spacious acoustic piano/vocal duet with Jamie Cullum, “After It’s Over”, to the enormous stack of background vocals on “She’s Gone” and from the tongue-in-cheek, lusty “Wicked Way” to the earnest, uplifting “You’re The One For Me”.

Ben will be on tour in Britain in April 2009, with special guest David Saw.

Ben Taylor April 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Mon 20 Bristol, Fleece & Firkin £10 0117 929 9008 www.fleecegigs.co.uk
Tue 21 Birmingham, Glee Club £10.50 0871 472 0400 www.glee.co.uk
Thur 23 Manchester, Lowry Theatre £12 0870 787 5796 www.thelowry.com
Fri 24 Glasgow, ABC £11 0871 231 0827 www.seetickets.com
Sat 25 Nottingham, Bodega £10 08713 100 000 www.alt-tickets.co.uk
Sun 26 London, Union Chapel £11 0871 230 5595 www.seetickets.com

Album: ‘The Legend Of Kung Folk’ – released April 6, 2009
Single “She’s Gone” – April 20 2009
UK tour April 20 – 26

Ben Taylor Official Website
Ben Taylor MySpace

Originally from New York, Willy Mason grew up on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and hearing his music I naturally think of other famous residents of the island like Carly Simon and James Taylor. I’ve been there before and actually visited Carly Simon’s shop which was nice. Anyway – it was Willy’s parents, both folk singers, that brought him to Martha’s Vineyard and I can certainly understand why they were drawn to the island.

“Save Myself” is the latest release by Willy Mason and it’s a great song. Now that Virgin UK has taken him under their wing, I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from this young man. He’s already been playing the festival circuit and last year supported Radiohead, Beth Orton and KT Tunstall.

Watch the video for Willy Mason’s new single, “Save Myself”

*Dates could change! Go to Willy Mason’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

February 20 – Preston, England @ Action Records (free show)
February 21 – Brighton, England @ Resident (free show)
February 22 – London, England @ Sister Ray (free show)
February 28 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord (Noisepop Festival) (18+)
March 14 – New Orleans, LA @ The Parish (w/ Sondre Lerche, 18+)
March 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Clubhouse (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 20 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 23 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 24 – Eugene, OR @ Sam Bond’s Garage (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 25 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 26 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 29 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
March 30 – Chicago, IL @ Double Door (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
March 31 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry (w/ Sondre Lerche, 21+)
April 2 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club (w/ Sondre Lerche, 19+)
April 4 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
April 5 – Washington, DC @ Birchmere (w/ Sondre Lerche, All Ages)
April 6 – Boston, MA @ Paradise (w/ Sondre Lerche, 18+)
April 7 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall (w/ Sondre Lerche, 18+)
May 4 – Leicester, England @ Charlotte (16+)
May 5 – Liverpool, England @ Carling Academy (14+)
May 7 – Cardiff, England @ The Point (18+)
May 8 – Oxford, England @ Zodiac (14+)
May 9 – Sheffield, England @ Leadmill (18+)
May 10 – Norwich, England @ Waterfront (14+)
May 11 – Bristol, England @ Trinity (tbc)
May 12 – Nottingham, England @ Rescue Rooms (18+)
May 14 – Leeds, England @ Cockpit (14+)
May 15 – Manchester, England @ Academy 2 (12+)
May 16 – London, England @ Shepherds Bush Empire (14+)
May 18 – Brighton, England @ Pavillion Theatre (18+)
May 19 – Birmingham, England @ Academy 2 (14+)
May 21 – Edinburgh, Scotland @ Liquid Rooms (18+)
May 22 – Northumbria, England @ University (Stage 2) (14+)
May 23 – Glasgow, Scotland @ QMU (14+)
May 24 – Aberdeen, Scotland @ Moshulu (14+)
May 25 – Belfast, Ireland @ Speakeasy (18+)
May 26 – Dublin, Ireland @ Temple Bar Music Centre (18+)
*Dates could change!

Willy Mason’s Official Website
Willy Mason on Myspace

By: Jenny May