what Frank is listening to #58- KIM CARNES – Voyeur – (EMI) -1982
Every one knows the monster smash hit that was "Bette Davis Eyes" in 1981 (#1 for 9 weeks!). What I didn't know was that raspy or gravel (al la Rod Stewart) voiced Kim Carnes had already been around for some time … since the mid-60s, and even had a stint in folk combo "The New Christy Minstrels". Through the 1970s she had been working as a singer-songwriter and had released a few albums (oddly though "Bette Davis Eyes" was not written by her – it was written by the glorious Jackie DeShannon, probably my favourite of the chick singer–songwriters – her original of Bette Davis Eyes is not "powerhouse" or over the top like the hit though), waiting for her big break.
"Mistaken Identity" (with the "Bette Davis Eyes" hit) was Carnes' 6th album and this LP is the follow up and whatever made "Mistaken Identity" a success (the album was #1 for 4 weeks) would, I assume, try to be replicated here. Wrong. "Mistaken Identity" was apparently a departure from Carnes' usual sound. Allmusic describes this LP as (and I quote them as their description is spot on): "sleek, stylish post-new wave pop/rock, heavy on drum machines, sequenced synths, and arena rock guitars, all married to anthemic pop tunes and ballads".
And that is the problem, especially so, when you don't have a real catchy song to build the album around. There is no "Bette Davies Eyes" to rely on. Moreso, I think "Mistaken Identity" might have been the one trick pony … record buyers (especially the types that would have bought the first album) are a finicky lot.
I will grant you that there is a certain appeal to Carnes' voice … it has that "I've just met you in a smoky pub, and we are both pissed, now lets go to your place and I will fuck you till you bleed" sound …. I suspect there wont be any polite chit chat after the sex from her just an exchange of money or a "Call me a cab". Where's the romance ? There are no nuances, its all over the top and bombastic. Still, back in the late 70s and early 80s, to my ears and and with vivid imagination, "the dominant older woman" was more than enough to sell a song regardless of the genre or quality … think Kate Bush "Babooshka", Cher "Dark Lady", Olivia Newton-John "Physical", Pat Benetar "Love is a Battlefield", Debbie Harry "Rapture", Chrissie Hynde "Brass in Pocket" , Rickie Lee Jones "Chuck Es in Love"…. aaah the fond memories , and the calluses.
Best tracks:
- Merc Man – the best of a bad batch.
The singles were:
- "Voyeur" #29
- "Does It Make You Remember" #36
The album went to #49.
Waddy Wachtel is on guitar – he is a legend : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waddy_Wachtel
Sound:
Voyeur
Merc Man
attached
For those who don't remember "Bette Davis Eyes":
DeShannon's orginal:
And, some crappy covers:
Probably the best of the covers:
Website:
(originally posted: 05/07/2009)
