All tracks have been digitally remastered using HDCD technology.
An underrated album, thanks to its lack of hit singles, 1979's SPY is nonetheless one of the most intriguing items in Carly Simon's discography. Certainly it's her most rock & roll-oriented effort. Forgoing both the singer-songwriter folkiness of her earliest albums, and, to a lesser extent, the jazz-influenced melodic sophistication which first showed up in 1976's ANOTHER PASSENGER, SPY is a tough 'n' tender pop-rock record, the missing link between the Carpenters and the Pretenders.
The swaggering "Vengeance" is the highlight, a soulful rock song much more direct and believable than, say, Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good." Elsewhere, the disco-tinged "Pure Sin" foreshadows the rock-disco crossover of the MTV era, and the lengthy "Memorial Day," which closes the album with an extended drum solo, recalls the stylistic experiments of Joni Mitchell's jazz-based MINGUS album. This is perhaps not the place to start if you're looking for another "Anticipation," but SPY is one of Carly Simon's best.
Live Recording
Recorded at Atlantic Studios, New York, New York between December 1978 and April 1979.
Personnel: Carly Simon (vocals, guitar, piano, background vocals); James Taylor (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Mike Mainieri (vocals, keyboards, vibraphone); Ullanda McCullough, Lucy Simon , Tim Curry (vocals, background vocals); Gail Boggs (vocals); David Spinozza, Joe Caro (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); John Hall (guitar, electric guitar); Frank Carillo (guitar); Frederick Buldrini, Lamar Alsop, Lewis Eley, Julien Barber, Jonathan Abramowitz, Eddie Daniels, Tony Posk, Gerald Tarack, Ted Hoyle, Jean R. Dane, Teddy Isreal, Peter Dimitriades, Guy Lumia, Mitsue Takayama, Joseph Malin, Phil Bodner, James Buffington, Regis Iandiorio, Harold Kohon, Jesse Levy, Richard Maximoff, Eugene J. Moye, Matthew Raimondi, Alan Shulman, Kermit Moore, Gene Orloff, Paul Gershman (strings); Hubert Laws (flute); Don Grolnick (clarinet, piano, Clavinet, keyboards); Richard Tee (clarinet, electric piano, Clavinet, keyboards); David Sanborn, Peter Ballin (saxophone, alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lew Del Gatto (saxophone, baritone saxophone); Peter Ballini (alto saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Tom "Bones" Malone (trombone); Warren Bernhardt (piano, electric piano, keyboards); Ian McLaughlin (piano, keyboards); Billy Mernit (piano); Kenneth Bichel (synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Cliff Carter (synthesizer); Rick Marotta, Steve Gadd (drums); Raphael Cruz (congas, percussion, bells); Crusher Bennett (congas, percussion); Rafael Cruz (cowbells, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Lewis Hahn.
Recording information: Atlantic Studios, N.Y.C., NY (12/1978-04/1979); N.Y.C., NY (12/1978-04/1979).
Arranger: Arif Ardin.
Personnel includes: Carly Simon (vocals, piano); David Spinozza (acoustic & electric guitars, guitar); Joe Caro (electric guitar, guitar); John Hall (electric guitar); Frank Carillo (guitar); Hubert Laws (flute); David Sandborn (alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Lewis Delgatto (baritone saxophone); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Tom Malone (trombone); Don Grolnick (piano, Clavinet); Warren Bernhardt (piano, electric piano, keyboards); Ian McLaughlin (piano); Richard Tee (electric piano, Clavinet); Cliff Carter (synthesizer); Mike Mainieri (vibraphone); Tony Levin, Will Lee (bass); Steve Gadd (drums); Crusher Bennett (percussion, congas); Raphael Cruz (cowbell, percussion, congas); Tim Curry, James Taylor (background vocals).
wonderful cd spy is one of my favorite cd by carly simon, i purchased when new in 1979 and then much later the cd. spy is a cd i go back to and listen, and still hear something new-after all these years. Submitted by ron s (tulsa ok) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Just like you do, Carly! The greatest work of Carly Simon. "Just Like You Do" is the song that marked my first love, twenty-senven years ago. Absolutely amazing. Submitted by eduardo.correa (São Paulo, SP, Brazil) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Underated "We're So close" That song could have been the coda to my marriage of 25 years.(I been divorced for 5 years.)Still love the song. Submitted by pdmh48 (atlanta, ga) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Good Simon CD This is a good Carly Simon CD,it is not as good as "Reflections",but it is still good.Vengeance,Never Been Gone,and Spy are the best songs on this Album.GET YOUR COPY TODAY Submitted by Andrew (South Carolina) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great album from the disco-era "Vengeance" has to be the most underrated song from Carly Simon's catalog of music. This is one of her best works ever!! Submitted by Donnie (Des Moines) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
wonderful cd
Just like you do, Carly!
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