Customer Reviews:
 Sweet Romance February 22, 2008
LawDog (Texas)
From cassette to cd, and cd to i-pod, this gem has been a favorite of mine for nearly 18 years.
With Richard Simon as her father, Ms. Simon not only grew up with this music in her home, but around some of the artists who created it. She understands, and has a connection which is evident in her performance.
"Romance" is the rare album where every song is perfect. It lures you in with the lovely title track, and then hooks you with the hauntingly beautiful "By Myself/I See Your Face Before Me." Incredibly, it just gets better from there.
The arrangements and orchestration on the record are heavenly, ranging from elegantly sparse to decadently lush. Apparent is how "My Romance" was produced with the personality of the songs considered individually, rather than collectively. There are many torch/standards albums available where every song is flawlessly produced and performed, and entirely indistinct from the next.
Above all, the vocals make "My Romance" what it is. Ms. Simon has a uniquely wonderful voice. Somehow, she can sound strong yet vulnerable, lonely but desirable, even hurt and optimistic, all at once. With subtlety rather than vocal histrionics, Ms. Simon packs an emotional punch that will knock you out.
As Van Gogh painted so much more than stars in "Starry Night," Ms. Simon draws you deeper into the story of a song, making you feel you know just a bit more than everyone else, but not quite enough. Maybe if you listen again...
If you are curious about "Romance," ignore the silly comments and complaints of a few reviewers, and take a moment to discover for yourself. Try "When Your Lover Has Gone" for the understated arrangement or "Little Girl Blue" for the achingly sweet vocal performance.
I have numerous covers of most of the songs on "My Romance," but Ms. Simon sings with such honesty and emotion that her performances, without exception, are my favorite.
ALL of our Romance.......... June 26, 2007
Robert C. Hufford (Hopewell, VA USA)
After a ten year wait, Carly once again ventured into "the great American songbook". Once again, the results are all we could desire....
Carly takes these old standards, and makes them sound fresh, new, and all her own...the title cut, "Danny Boy", and "Time After Time" are especially delightful, but the whole record is a joy.
My wife accuses me of having a vicarious crush on Carly...let her. A denial would be pointless...Carly, we all love you...keep the great music coming for a long, long time
Carly Sounds Beautiful November 8, 2005
DC (Hollywood)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I love her voice on these songs, Carly has such a unique voice,
and I think it's beautiful,
 Less Romantic than Painful October 20, 2005
Christopher Bergman (Florida, United States)
1 out of 17 found this review helpful
My now-wife bought this album when we were dating. She lit some candles, poured wine, and started the CD. Miss Simon was so far off-key that we laughed so hard we couldn't make out.
It's not that Miss Simon is that bad a vocalist--this just isn't her music, any more than it is Rod Stewart's or Linda Ronstadt's or any of the other aging pop-rock singers who turn to standards when their careers flag. It's as if they don't realize that these songs call for *better* pipes, not tired rock voices.
If you want to hear these songs the way they were meant to be sung, there are plenty of better singers. If you want to hear Carly Simon doing what she does best, put on "No Secrets."
Carly's Romance with Romance June 28, 2005
Davis Caitlin (Martins Ferry, Ohio)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I think that this was the definitive "falling in love with love"
album of Carly's career. Her voice captured the intimate sincerity of what each composer wanted to convey to their listeners.
Although Torch introduced fans to the fashion that Pop-Rock singers can and DO appreciate the great American songbook, I'm not sure that she was completely ready for it.
With this album. SHE IS and she does so most with excellence.
The noted favorites are when she and pianist Michael Kosarin are alone together such as in the beautiful rendition of Time After Time or the reminiscent He Was To Good To Me.
This is still one of my favorite Carly Simon albums and will be for a long time for it reminds me of something wonderful in my own life: My romance.
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