Paul Simon

by **CrazyCrazy** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:54 pm

Yes I managed to find a good picture of him! :lol:

Right, I've liked him for a while but to be honest it wasn't until the legends countdown that thought I should investigate further. I'm so very happy I did listen to more of Paul he has a wonderful singing voice and I love many of his songs already, there's something really sincere that comes through when I listen to him. 8-)

He has a great sound and he is very underated.

Just listen please! :lol:

We'll start with this Funkaayyy number!!

o When Numbers Get Serious
o Train In The Distance
o The Coast
o The Afterlife
o Love & Hard Times
o Song About The Moon <- Couldn't find Pauls studio version but have found an interesting version with Art's voice on!

His music is so gorgeous - kinda meditative yet groovy! 8-)

I'm still in the process of listening to his albums. :wink:

by **NothingFails** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:26 pm

Musical genius.

Despite all of the accolades and Grammys he's won, I think he is incredibly underrated. He isn't just a songwriter, but a storyteller, and he's not lost his craft one bit as he's gotten older.

A lot of people dismiss his post-Garfunkel work because his music was less-AC friendly (even though he had songs like 50 Ways To Leave Your Love, Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and Kodachrome that were completely radio-oriented) but each one of his solo albums is a different piece of his life and he's done a lot of interesting detours in his career.

by **NothingFails** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:27 pm

That is amazing that you found the S&G recording of Song About The Moon. Hearts And Bones originally was intended to be S&G's big reunion album after their successful tour, but their egos began to clash and Art thought the music was way too personal that they parted ways yet again and Paul re-recorded the album with his own group.

by **CrazyCrazy** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:27 pm

^ I knew you'd answer!

I've been listening to him all week long, his album 'Hearts & Bones' is amazing, thanks for suggesting that one!

His style is definitely for me, he is already my favourite male artist. I really love him. 8-)

I'll post more links soon for curious peeps to listen to.

by **Larry** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:41 pm

One of the great men of American music.

My favourites of his solo post "70 career are Mother And Child Reunion and the album Graceland which may well be his lasting legacy.

by **CrazyCrazy** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:07 pm

^

Hi Larry, great to see another fan, I've not heard the album 'Graceland' properly yet, I'm addicted to his album 'Hearts & Bones' at present, it's fantastic!

by **NothingFails** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:55 pm

Has anyone seen One Trick Pony? I've heard its horrible but I'd like to see Paul act, plus The B-52's are in it too. Its only available through a burn-on demand DVD and is never on tv or anything.

by **Larry** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:42 pm

NothingFails wrote:Has anyone seen One Trick Pony? I've heard its horrible but I'd like to see Paul act, plus The B-52's are in it too. Its only available through a burn-on demand DVD and is never on tv or anything.

Haven't seen that but he has a small part in Woody Allen's Annie Hall where he plays a music producer.

I am not saying he was bad but I think its fair to say his greatest contribution to American cinema remains the soundtrack to The Graduate :wink:

by **NothingFails** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:39 pm

Larry wrote:
NothingFails wrote:Has anyone seen One Trick Pony? I've heard its horrible but I'd like to see Paul act, plus The B-52's are in it too. Its only available through a burn-on demand DVD and is never on tv or anything.
Haven't seen that but he has a small part in Woody Allen's Annie Hall where he plays a music producer.

Oh yea, he was pretty good in that, of course that was probably Woody's best movie anyways.

by **CrazyCrazy** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:01 pm

NothingFails wrote:Has anyone seen One Trick Pony? I've heard its horrible but I'd like to see Paul act, plus The B-52's are in it too. Its only available through a burn-on demand DVD and is never on tv or anything.

Not seen it but I'm enjoying the soundtrack album at present!

I really love Pauls music so much!!!!

I wish more of the young people on here [I'm one of them] would listen to some decent music for a change! :lol:

by **NothingFails** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:03 am

I've been in ubergeek mode on Spotify the last few days, I made what I consider a Definitive playlist of Paul spanning 1957 to now.

http://open.spotify.com/user/nf0603/pla ... mfTql4GwET

or type
spotify:user:nf0603:playlist:51OtLLRoNDSfmfTql4GwET into your Spotify search list

by **CrazyCrazy** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:06 pm

NothingFails wrote:I've been in ubergeek mode on Spotify the last few days, I made what I consider a Definitive playlist of Paul spanning 1957 to now.

http://open.spotify.com/user/nf0603/pla ... mfTql4GwET

or type
spotify:user:nf0603:playlist:51OtLLRoNDSfmfTql4GwET into your Spotify search list

Sorry for replying late! :lol:

I've not got Spotify, what is it exactly, it's just passed me by that one! :oops:

I just have my top 20 playlist for him on my iTunes! :lol:

by **CrazyCrazy** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:44 pm

Gushing over this today again:

Why did it flop? :-?

It's amazing!

by **NothingFails** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:24 pm

From what I've heard, Paul saw a backlash of sorts for erasing Art's vocals off the album, and plus he was getting a lot of tabloid stuff at the time from the marriage to Carrie Fisher. Truly a shame because I think the album is much better than Graceland.

After getting a bunch of titles as a "two hour only 10 cent used vinyl blowout", I have all of Paul's work through Graceland on vinyl both solo and S&G except for their first album.

by **CrazyCrazy** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:30 pm

NothingFails wrote:From what I've heard, Paul saw a backlash of sorts for erasing Art's vocals off the album, and plus he was getting a lot of tabloid stuff at the time from the marriage to Carrie Fisher. Truly a shame because I think the album is much better than Graceland.

After getting a bunch of titles as a "two hour only 10 cent used vinyl blowout", I have all of Paul's work through Graceland on vinyl both solo and S&G except for their first album.

Oh that's a shame that the media can really damage an albums success.

I agree it is a better album than Graceland!!!! Happy you agree!

I've not got all of his stuff yet but will get there.

I really love him, it's a shame he doesn't have any other fans that want to talk about him on here...

It's my mission to convert everyone to my faves by the time the year is out! :lol:

I've heard all of his albums now but am still addicted to H&B + SBOSW to really dedicate myself to the others just yet.

He is a great story teller, really pulls you in and I love his voice.

by **NothingFails** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:37 pm

I think the main problem is that people hear the name "Paul Simon" and just think boring old man ala latter day Elton John or Rod Stewart or someone, and the truth is that he is the furthest thing from the AC mom music he's typecast in. He's always been an innovative storyteller not afraid to dabble in new things with each other without jumping on any trends.

When you invest in a Paul Simon album (and even S&G too since he wrote all those songs), you're getting access into his soul and what mattered to him at the point of release, and I think that's a reason why he takes 4-6 years between albums, because each work is so personal and takes so much out of him.

by **CrazyCrazy** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:40 pm

NothingFails wrote:I think the main problem is that people hear the name "Paul Simon" and just think boring old man ala latter day Elton John or Rod Stewart or someone, and the truth is that he is the furthest thing from the AC mom music he's typecast in. He's always been an innovative storyteller not afraid to dabble in new things with each other without jumping on any trends.

When you invest in a Paul Simon album (and even S&G too since he wrote all those songs), you're getting access into his soul and what mattered to him at the point of release, and I think that's a reason why he takes 4-6 years between albums, because each work is so personal and takes so much out of him.

I love you!

Yes!!! More people should listen to him, I reckon so many people on here would love him, if only they bothered to listen to him!

What was your introduction to Paul? Embarrassingly mine was "Father & Daughter" (nice song though!) after watching the Nickelodeon movie "The Wild Thornberries". :lol:

by **NothingFails** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:48 pm

crazycrazy wrote:
NothingFails wrote:I think the main problem is that people hear the name "Paul Simon" and just think boring old man ala latter day Elton John or Rod Stewart or someone, and the truth is that he is the furthest thing from the AC mom music he's typecast in. He's always been an innovative storyteller not afraid to dabble in new things with each other without jumping on any trends.

When you invest in a Paul Simon album (and even S&G too since he wrote all those songs), you're getting access into his soul and what mattered to him at the point of release, and I think that's a reason why he takes 4-6 years between albums, because each work is so personal and takes so much out of him.
I love you!

Yes!!! More people should listen to him, I reckon so many people on here would love him, if only they bothered to listen to him!

What was your introduction to Paul? Embarrassingly mine was "Father & Daughter" (nice song though!) after watching the Nickelodeon movie "The Wild Thornberries".

I've always known who Paul was because my mother owned the Greatest Hits album on vinyl. I thought their first names were Simon And Garfunkel when I was little and thought Garfunkel was a ridiculous first name :lol:

I didn't really become a fan of his until a few years ago after hearing the Surprise album playing at a Borders. I was stunned at the energy and what I was hearing coming from a then-65 year old that I always thought was more in a Phil Collins/Rod Stewart/Lionel Richie vein, then I slowly worked my way back through his catalog and realized how much more to him there was than S&G's Greatest Hits and the video with Chevy Chase (You Can Call Me Al).

by **CrazyCrazy** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:12 am

NothingFails wrote:
crazycrazy wrote:
NothingFails wrote:I think the main problem is that people hear the name "Paul Simon" and just think boring old man ala latter day Elton John or Rod Stewart or someone, and the truth is that he is the furthest thing from the AC mom music he's typecast in. He's always been an innovative storyteller not afraid to dabble in new things with each other without jumping on any trends.

When you invest in a Paul Simon album (and even S&G too since he wrote all those songs), you're getting access into his soul and what mattered to him at the point of release, and I think that's a reason why he takes 4-6 years between albums, because each work is so personal and takes so much out of him.
I love you!

Yes!!! More people should listen to him, I reckon so many people on here would love him, if only they bothered to listen to him!

What was your introduction to Paul? Embarrassingly mine was "Father & Daughter" (nice song though!) after watching the Nickelodeon movie "The Wild Thornberries".
I've always known who Paul was because my mother owned the Greatest Hits album on vinyl. I thought their first names were Simon And Garfunkel when I was little and thought Garfunkel was a ridiculous first name

I didn't really become a fan of his until a few years ago after hearing the Surprise album playing at a Borders. I was stunned at the energy and what I was hearing coming from a then-65 year old that I always thought was more in a Phil Collins/Rod Stewart/Lionel Richie vein, then I slowly worked my way back through his catalog and realized how much more to him there was than S&G's Greatest Hits and the video with Chevy Chase (You Can Call Me Al).

at Simon & Garfunkel! Cute!

Well I've known about him before that but only by name and very little, my dad loved really old music and I don't remember either my mum & dad ever mention him at all.

Well yes he definitely still has it, the little I've heard from Surprise sounds interesting, sounds like another I will love.

What do you think of the album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon", he was so young on that album cover!

by **NothingFails** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:07 am

crazycrazy wrote:What do you think of the album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon", he was so young on that album cover!

Honestly, outside of You're The One and One Trick Pony, it's probably the solo album I've spent the least amount of time with, although in chart terms it is probably his ultimate pop album since there's no less than five tracks that are all-time classics on pretty much any Greatest Hits album (Kodachrome, Loves Me Like A Rock, Something So Right, Take Me To The Mardi Gras and American Tune), but that is probably the main reason I haven't really spent much time with it, because I already came into the album knowing half of it (granted, the same can be said for Still Crazy After All These Years, but that was my third PS purchase besides Graceland and Hearts And Bones, so I got to know those songs before I had a GH of his).

The Rhythm Of The Saints is very underrated as well. It sold very well in 1990-1991 but most people have forgotten the album because it didn't quite shake the music world up the way Graceland did.

If I had to rank my fave PS albums:
1. Hearts And Bones
2. Still Crazy After All These Years
3. Paul Simon
4. Graceland
5. The Rhythm Of The Sains
6. So Beautiful Or So What
7. Surprise
8. There Goes Rhymin' Simon
9. One Trick Pony
10. You're The One

the latter three I still need more "time" with though

by **CrazyCrazy** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:27 pm

All of those tracks from Rhyming are really good!!

Yes I love Rhythm of The Saints as well!

Oooh I a really am not in a position to my my fave albums just yet but thanks for putting yours and H&B at #1!! 8-)

by **CrazyCrazy** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 7:52 pm

Just watching Paul Live @ Webster Hall in New York...my older friend (because none of my young friends like him!) :lol:

recorded it and put it on a disc for me!

Probably the only chance I've got to see him live!

I love it though!

by **NothingFails** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:18 am

I'm downloading One Trick Pony off a torrent, looking forward to seeing it. I saw Paul act in Annie Hall, but this one is a music-oriented role.

by **CrazyCrazy** » Thu Mar 08, 2012 8:08 pm

NothingFails wrote:I'm downloading One Trick Pony off a torrent, looking forward to seeing it. I saw Paul act in Annie Hall, but this one is a music-oriented role.

Let me know how it is!

This is my album of the day by the way, really love this one!

I was on the bus today on the way to work thinking of my dad and the track "Everything About It Is A Love Song" and I nearly burst out into tears :lol:

, there's something so touching about his music that always tugs at me deeply!

by **NothingFails** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:49 am

crazycrazy wrote:
NothingFails wrote:I'm downloading One Trick Pony off a torrent, looking forward to seeing it. I saw Paul act in Annie Hall, but this one is a music-oriented role.
Let me know how it is!

It was a plotless piece of crap and I understand why the movie took forever to come out on DVD and never airs on television. It was more or less a sequence of vignettes surrounded by music performances, though it did have some good cynical depictions of how the music industry works. The movie does have some decent performances by Lou Reed (who plays a producer who tries to discofy Paul's music), Rip Torn (who plays a record label suit) and a few others (and it was great getting to see primo live footage of The B-52's in 1979), but is more or less an attempt for Paul to tackle the big screen. The music was great but the film felt a lot longer than 95 minutes, it really did feel like a 2 1/2 hour film. As a Paul fan, its definitely a curiosity to check out just because its the one and only time he ever tried to carry a film, but there isn't anything that really makes it worth more than a curiosity view.