Post by Simone on Sept 22, 2010 19:46:56 GMT
One of the greatest discoveries of my musical journey has surely been Paul Simon's solo output. I never liked Simon & Garfunkel, I mean some of their songs are classic but their music always lacked some nerves to my ears. I'll try and give a little overview for the curious.
I bought his 'first' solo record (he already released one 7 years before but that doesn't really count) just for curiosity's sake because I thought the cover looked very interesting and the picture had that classic early 70s feel to it (plus the price was ridiculous). I was very surprised to find some of the cleverest music I've heard in ages. The man sure is a first class songwriter, he is a master at writing intricate yet catchy tunes and his lyrics are second to none. Listen to "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and you'll find yourself whistling it around the house after a couple of spins. Or I challenge you at finding some other songwriter who put the word "Gatorade" in a chorus (except maybe for the Gatorade commercials). Some of his songs have become anthems for other artists aswell, like the reggae-ish opener "Mother and Child Reunion" which is feartured in any repertoire of any reggae artist.
One laudable thing about him as a songwriter and musician is that he always tried to change his sound with any record he has done. The first (self titled) record is really a bit of a pastiché with reggae, some blues, folk, caribbean rhythms and old time Gershiwn-like songwriting. But with the second album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, things get more focused and the music more cohesive, featuring gospel singers and a solid r'n'b band behind him. The record includes classics like Kodachrome, which is the perfect summer song, American Tune, which should be considered the alternative american national anthem and St. Judy's Comet, a lovely lullaby dedicated to his child. That's a monster record.
Don't let the mustache denote the quality of the music because on those records there's some of the best songwriting you'll ever hear. On the follow up to Rhymin' Simon, called Still Crazy After All These Years, the lyrics start to get really personal and the sound gets jazzy and relaxed, creating the perfect background for some intimate and introspective music. Some splendid songs crafted here like the title track or "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and some deep lyrics aswell, but it's not my favourite of the lot, it lacks a bit of edge.
I can see a wig
The following record is a bit a hit or miss thing; I haven't listened to it very much because it sounded superficial at first, so I don't have much to say about it. All I know is that most of it was written as part of a soundtrack for a film he starred in but I mean, he is ridiculous as a 40 years old dressed like a teen in that baseball hat with a wig underneath it. Didn't like what I heard though and I still think that the best thing he did that year was to convince his audience he was NOT wearing a wig.
The next record, Hearts and Bones, seems a return to full force. I have read it's his "divorce" record, but I have to be honest, I have only recently bought it, so I haven't a clear idea yet. Some of the songs already shine though, like the title track, one of the finest ballads of the 80s, with some very clever lyrics and its brilliant melody.
Graceland is considered his masterpiece and has been a record-sale success all around the word. I'm sure everybody knows its name but only a few have actually listened to it, so that's a good chance to get yourself a classic. What a fascinating record it is! Brilliant western songwriting combined with South African unorthodox rhythms; the songs are extremely catchy yet deep and substantial, while the lyrics are very close to stream of cosciousness poetry with some striking images. The record starts off with "The Boy in the Bubble" which is a sort of manifesto that screens << you have never heard anything like this>>, such a jawdropping opening track. The title track "Graceland" is considered by the artist himself his best song ever; "You Can Call Me Al" is one of the most famous melodies ever penned and a song that it's a real joy to listen to. Despite the criticism (the album has been extremely criticized by americans because in their mind it's been an abuse of the South African culture for commercial reasons, but I mean, they are americans aren't they, they want to complain about anything and its opposite, as if they have some working brains and some morality) the record really called attention to the south african apartheid issue and in a way, it helped giving dignity to a culture and showing to the western society the beauty of a forgotten country living in misery and oppression.
He has done some records in the 90s and 00s aswell, but I haven't dug enough into them to give a comprehensive overview. Anyway, if you are looking for some excellent songwriting and some amazing music, get his records. I don't know what it is, maybe his baldness or his not-that desiderable looking, but Paul Simon fails to attract the new generations of music listeners, and it's a shame. Leave your prejudice behind and trust me, he who is bald does have a soul (I would have never said that). There's a little compilation I put together on the
, check it out and you'll discover a jawdropping old/new songwriter.
I bought his 'first' solo record (he already released one 7 years before but that doesn't really count) just for curiosity's sake because I thought the cover looked very interesting and the picture had that classic early 70s feel to it (plus the price was ridiculous). I was very surprised to find some of the cleverest music I've heard in ages. The man sure is a first class songwriter, he is a master at writing intricate yet catchy tunes and his lyrics are second to none. Listen to "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and you'll find yourself whistling it around the house after a couple of spins. Or I challenge you at finding some other songwriter who put the word "Gatorade" in a chorus (except maybe for the Gatorade commercials). Some of his songs have become anthems for other artists aswell, like the reggae-ish opener "Mother and Child Reunion" which is feartured in any repertoire of any reggae artist.
One laudable thing about him as a songwriter and musician is that he always tried to change his sound with any record he has done. The first (self titled) record is really a bit of a pastiché with reggae, some blues, folk, caribbean rhythms and old time Gershiwn-like songwriting. But with the second album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, things get more focused and the music more cohesive, featuring gospel singers and a solid r'n'b band behind him. The record includes classics like Kodachrome, which is the perfect summer song, American Tune, which should be considered the alternative american national anthem and St. Judy's Comet, a lovely lullaby dedicated to his child. That's a monster record.
Don't let the mustache denote the quality of the music because on those records there's some of the best songwriting you'll ever hear. On the follow up to Rhymin' Simon, called Still Crazy After All These Years, the lyrics start to get really personal and the sound gets jazzy and relaxed, creating the perfect background for some intimate and introspective music. Some splendid songs crafted here like the title track or "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and some deep lyrics aswell, but it's not my favourite of the lot, it lacks a bit of edge.
I can see a wig
The following record is a bit a hit or miss thing; I haven't listened to it very much because it sounded superficial at first, so I don't have much to say about it. All I know is that most of it was written as part of a soundtrack for a film he starred in but I mean, he is ridiculous as a 40 years old dressed like a teen in that baseball hat with a wig underneath it. Didn't like what I heard though and I still think that the best thing he did that year was to convince his audience he was NOT wearing a wig.
The next record, Hearts and Bones, seems a return to full force. I have read it's his "divorce" record, but I have to be honest, I have only recently bought it, so I haven't a clear idea yet. Some of the songs already shine though, like the title track, one of the finest ballads of the 80s, with some very clever lyrics and its brilliant melody.
Graceland is considered his masterpiece and has been a record-sale success all around the word. I'm sure everybody knows its name but only a few have actually listened to it, so that's a good chance to get yourself a classic. What a fascinating record it is! Brilliant western songwriting combined with South African unorthodox rhythms; the songs are extremely catchy yet deep and substantial, while the lyrics are very close to stream of cosciousness poetry with some striking images. The record starts off with "The Boy in the Bubble" which is a sort of manifesto that screens << you have never heard anything like this>>, such a jawdropping opening track. The title track "Graceland" is considered by the artist himself his best song ever; "You Can Call Me Al" is one of the most famous melodies ever penned and a song that it's a real joy to listen to. Despite the criticism (the album has been extremely criticized by americans because in their mind it's been an abuse of the South African culture for commercial reasons, but I mean, they are americans aren't they, they want to complain about anything and its opposite, as if they have some working brains and some morality) the record really called attention to the south african apartheid issue and in a way, it helped giving dignity to a culture and showing to the western society the beauty of a forgotten country living in misery and oppression.
He has done some records in the 90s and 00s aswell, but I haven't dug enough into them to give a comprehensive overview. Anyway, if you are looking for some excellent songwriting and some amazing music, get his records. I don't know what it is, maybe his baldness or his not-that desiderable looking, but Paul Simon fails to attract the new generations of music listeners, and it's a shame. Leave your prejudice behind and trust me, he who is bald does have a soul (I would have never said that). There's a little compilation I put together on the
, check it out and you'll discover a jawdropping old/new songwriter.
