If you’re my age or older you’ve probably sung along to at least a few Carly Simon tunes in your younger mad-love angst-ridden years. I’ve always loved her music, and that of her famed ex-husband James Taylor too. Until now I only imagined what their (story-book?) life must have been like as a couple and always thought it a tragedy that they weren’t able to keep it together for a long and at least sometimes happy marriage. Having never really delved into the whys of their break-up, I just enjoyed the music and hoped for a reunion someday, if not as a couple, then an extremely talented duo who’ve brought so much soul to music over the years. One of my all time favorites is a concert Carly gave on the Vineyard Haven docks, Marthas Vineyard. Not just because I love that island with all I’ve got, but it was her best most natural performance in my opinion, in a place she loves and calls home. You felt it if you were watching.
I just read Carlys newly released memoir, Boys In The Trees – what in my opinion appears to be a thoroughly honest, (sometimes embarassingly so!) heartfelt account of her life story. That era was just before my coming of age so I wasn’t fully aware of the movement in the music world back then, but.. wow. To say I had no idea is an understatement… and for those who want to read it I won’t spoil your read by putting the contents here. Some of the artists are still entertaining today, it’s an interesting look back.
Two things I can tell you without spoiling too much. James Taylor does not speak of or to Carly Simon. He pretty much “erased her”, in her words in interviews, after their early 80’s divorce, although she only eludes to this in the book. She treats him fairly here, but honestly. Which is to say she doesn’t sugar coat their problems at all – hers or his. His heroin addiction since his teen years and chronic infidelities made him pretty much non-present in their ten year marriage and he owns up to it in subsequent interviews too, so it’s not bull. Her anxiety and insecurities stemming from the non-approving relationship she had with her father made her disfunctional and accepting of really poor treatment and low self worth, which ruled the landscape of her life for so very long.
While it’s clear JT suffered depression and the ills of a substance abuser, I still can’t help but like him a lot less now. Hard to believe the man who wrote and sang so many soulful songs of longing and caring and love and loss is the one who now thoroughly cuts out such a significant partner of his earlier days – one who stood by him when he needed love most. His children should matter to him more than that. He actually describes himself as a self absorbed artist who wasn’t fully present for his first set of kids or his first marriage.
I guess some habits never die. You’re so vain, James, and the song wasn’t even about you.
