Search - Kim Carnes :: The Mistaken Identity Collection

The Before And After review

Da Man | Pekin, IL | 12/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kim Carnes released Mistaken Identity in April 1981BEFORE:
While she had just recently crossed over to pop-charts the previous year with More Love and her duet with Kenny Rogers, Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer (both of which are bonus tracks here), raspy-voiced Kim Carnes was a seasoned pro. Having written songs for the likes of Barbra Streisand. However, she hadn't yet really had the breakout smash she'd dreamed of yet.AFTER:
BETTE DAVIS EYES!!! The song spent 9 weeks at #1 on the Billboard chart. The parent album also was a chart-topper. While she'd been around nearly 15 years at this point and was in her mid-30's, Kim Carnes seemed like an overnight sensation. The hits didn't just stop here. She also had hit singles with the trippy new-wave Draw Of The Cards (in my book, one of the weirdest videos ever, VH1 Classic airs it occasionally) and the AC-ish title track.Kim Carnes is a very underrated artist, and while Bette Davis Eyes was an almost overwhelming success... it's not the only thing she ever did. The other 9 tracks on the album show how eclectic the raspy-voice blonde was. Ranging from rock to country to adult contemporary to even Kraftwerk-ish style new wave.. Kim briefly reached the top of the mountain. Unfortunately the fact she never could duplicate BDE's success became her eventual undoing as a pop star.This album is almost a self-serving Greatest Hits when considered the bonus tracks. All of the bonus tracks were hits too, More Love, Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer, Voyeur, Invisible Hands, Crazy In The Night, etc... Making it an essential 80's album."

Her Identity Is No Mistake

DP | Pompano Beach, FL USA | 10/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Razor and Tie did a stellar job releasing this album last year. "Mistaken Identity" is Kim Carnes consummate pop masterpiece that topped the charts well over a month in the summer of 1981. The whole album is included here with a generous sampling of 6 bonus tracks (16 tracks in all) that serve as a soundtrack for the 1980's. The packaging includes the lyrics to the hit album along with some wonderful commentary of her career and great pictures of Kim. Her name will always be equated with the bonafide hit single "Bette Davis Eyes," that topped the billboard chart an amazing 9 weeks. It remains one of the most popular pop singles of all time and solidified Kim's place in pop music history. Her seductive, raspy vocals liken her to a female version of Rod Stewart. Certainly, after this landmark release, her sound and identity were in fact, not mistaken (even though she never came close to replicating the album's success.)The album proceeds with the uptempo "Hit And Run," a tale of love gone astray. This was also written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon who penned her signature song, "Bette Davis Eyes." "Mistaken Identity" was a moderate chart hit(#60) that showcased her raspy signature vocals. This is a slow, sultry number that segues into her country tinged, "When I Away From You." Carnes did score several country chart hits, most notably her duet with Kenny Rodgers, "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer," (#3) that consummately enhances the collection as a perfect closer. Carnes wrote the majority of Kenny Rodger's "Gideon" album in the late 1970's and a song on this collection "Don't Call It Love" became a country chart topper for Dolly Parton in the mid 1980's."Draw Of The Cards" was the other chart hit on the pop album(#28) which enhances the mystique of Carnes unique vocals, accompanied with a male chorus that sings the title, and includes Kim's sinnester laughter tracks that close the song. "Break The Rules Tonite" is a jaunty, uptempto rocker that seems like bar room music with an attitude. "Still Hold On" is a slightly jazzy number that Kim enjoyed so much, she included on her other greatest hits compilation "Gypsy Honeymoon."One of the highlights of "Mistaken Identity" is the emotionally wrenching vocals of "Miss You Tonite." This is Kim emoting at her chilling best. It could be my favorite track on the entire album because it is just so moving that I receive chills up and down my spine when it is played. The album ends with "My Old Pals."The additional tracks include a soulful cover of Smokey Robinson's "More Love" (#10) included on 1980's "Romance Dance" album. "Invisible Hands" from the 1983 "Cafe Racers." is included in a special dance remix that I prefer over the original top 40 track(#40). Also from that album included here is "I Pretend," which turned out to be more popular on the adult contemporary charts(#9) and is a lost classic of sorts. "Voyeur"(#28), the title track to her 1982 album is a neurotic slice of dance pop that is also fun to relive. (These tracks bring back wonderful memories from my childhood.) There is also the frentic "Crazy In The Night," a #15 chart hit that has a wonderful rock edge to it.For the novice, this is a wonderful place to start. I prefer this collection to her early 1990's compilation "Gypsy Honeymoon." About nine tracks overlap on these 2 collections, but "Gypsy Honeymoon" adds certain insignificant album tracks and some new generic tunes. But in many ways, the entire "Mistaken Identity" album is essential listening. The only minor omissions from this worthwhile collection include a unique duet with Barbara Streisand on "Make No Mistake, He's Mine," "You're A Part Of Me"(with Gene Cotton), "What About Me," her star-studded duet with Kenny Rodgers and James Ingrum, as well as a couple of movie tunes,"Invitation To Dance"(from "That's Dancing") and "I'll Be Here Where The Heart Is"(the love theme from "Flashdance.")"

HATS OFF TO KIM CARNES FOR HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE 80'S

Da Man | 09/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kim Carnes is a great singer/songwriter/producer and this compilation cd definitely proves it. From the smash hit "Bette Davis Eyes" to the danceable "Invitation to Dance" to the haunting "Mistaken Identity" this woman really knows how to entertain. Listening to this cd in my car on long rides evokes thoughts of my youth when Kim was hip and supercool during the early 80's. She sang with Tina Turner, and Rod Stewart live before millions of people, hawked Diet Coke,and was one of MTV's first video stars. In fact, she first showed the world the one handed sequined glove in her Bette Davis Eyes video years before Michael Jackson. If you want to relive a bit of your past, get this cd and enjoy!"