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Only yesterday, we shared the speculation of our good buddies at MusicTAP that big things might be in store for the catalogue of Carly Simon.  Well, we’ve got a start, just one day later!  On June 21, Audio Fidelity will drop a remastered, limited 24K Gold edition of the songstress’ third – and some say, best – album, No Secrets.

1971’s Carly Simon announced a major new talent, offerings songs like the epic and hauntingly personal “That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be,” the folk-rock of “Alone” and country of “One More Time.”  She followed her debut with the unforgettable Anticipation.  Aided by super-producer Richard Perry, Simon refined her sound for the breakthrough No Secrets.  Simon was often compared to Carole King, despite their very different backgrounds.  Carole was a modest Brooklyn girl who practically grew up in the Brill Building scene, whereas the folk-singing Carly was daughter of the mighty Simon and Schuster publishing empire.  Carole was an earth mother while Carly exuded sex appeal.  Let’s not be disingenuous; among other things in common, Carly married one of Carole’s most sympathetic collaborators, James Taylor, and they frequently employed the same crop of LA musicians.  But No Secrets definitively proved that Carly Simon was her own liberated woman.

Like her first two albums, 1972’s No Secrets was deeply autobiographical.  It remains a testament to her sophisticated and timeless songwriting.  Album opener “The Right Thing to Do” is a piano-driven pop song that marries one of Simon’s brightest, most infectious melodies to a perfect (and perfectly simple) horn and string arrangement subtly enhancing the tension under the surface.  When she intones “Hold me in your hands like a bunch of flowers,” what man could resist?  It’s joyful, inviting and sensual.  The fierce “You’re So Vain” launched one of rock’s most enduring mysteries and will forever be Ms. Simon’s calling card.  “We Have No Secrets” not only gave the album its title, but it has a typically clever lyric of self-discovery.  James Taylor provided the bluesy “Night Owl.”  “The Carter Family” and “His Friends Are More Than Fond of Robin” are poetic yet accessible art songs.

Hit the jump for more on No Secrets, plus the track listing with discographical information and pre-order link!

No Secrets is one of the benchmarks by which all other singer/songwriter albums are measured (though Simon had some support, primarily from frequent co-writer Jacob Brackman).  Guest appearances by Lowell George, Paul and Linda McCartney, Mick Jagger, Doris Troy and, of course, JT added to the sense of a seventies musical happening.  The LP was rewarded with five weeks at No. 1 and “You’re So Vain” also topped the singles chart.  It has already been released in a now sought-after DVD-Audio with a stunning 5.1 track; Audio Fidelity’s disc marks its standard stereo CD audiophile debut.  Kevin Gray handles the mastering honors.  It’s due in stores on June 21.

Carly Simon, No Secrets (Elektra EKS 75049, 1972 – reissued Audio Fidelity AFZ 114, 2011)

1. The Right Thing to Do
2. The Carter Family
3. You’re So Vain
4. His Friends Are More Than Fond of Robin
5. We Have No Secrets
6. Embrace Me, You Child
7. Waited So Long
8. It Was So Easy
9. Night Owl
10. When You Close Your Eyes