Paul Simon - modern pop master

Psychedelic Syd · 07-10-2004, 01:22 AM

I have been listening to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel and solo Simon lately and it really hit me that I think Paul Simon may be among the top 3 or 4 best pop songwriters of the last 50 years... I would give him an edge over the likes of Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach and Elton John...

What are your thoughts about Paul Simon...

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Reverend Rock · 07-10-2004, 01:28 AM

I have a whole lot of respect for Paul Simon. The work he did in the S&G period, of course, is undeniable. I also think that most of the stuff from Graceland on is wonderful. Back in the 80s, I thought what he and Peter Gabriel were doing was the music of the future...I think maybe it should've been...

Digger · 07-10-2004, 01:29 AM

I have 9 million opinions on Paul Simon all of which I will share with you now.

Actually, very mixed feelings. As a kid I heard the Whatever it is Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy) and in my prayers that night, I wished the Lord I would never hear it again.

But, when I heard "The Boxer" and to be honest, almost every OTHER single they did in the sixties, I changed my mind.

If I never hear "Songs from the Capeman" again, I'd still die a happy man but that first solo album and Bookends are really remarkable albums. Adventurous and accessible. Dynamite stuff.

Hey, you ever read Paul Zollo's wonderful book "Songwriters on Songwriting"?
Simon really hits it off with the author and the Interview is a VERY enjoyable read.

Reverend Rock · 07-10-2004, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

If I never hear "Songs from the Capeman" again, I'd still die a happy man but that first solo album and Bookends are really remarkable albums. Adventurous and accessable. Dynamite stuff.

Amen to that...Capeman was a serious misstep for the man...but he recovered nicely with You're The One, I thought.

algernon · 07-10-2004, 01:37 AM

Simon created some masterpieces..it's not out of line to say he was(is) a poet. He should've humored Artie cause he was just the best singer for his stuff. Even Simon's mother conceded that! As it was, I'm of the opinion that Artie had a much more artful(no pun intended)solo career than Simon.

Digger · 07-10-2004, 01:39 AM

Angel Clair?
(Digger tries to guess algernon's favorite Garfunkle album)

algernon · 07-10-2004, 01:41 AM

"Watermark"..."Angel Claire" is a close second.

Digger · 07-10-2004, 01:42 AM

Is that a Jimmy Webb -a -Go Go too?

Psychedelic Syd · 07-10-2004, 01:46 AM

I know his work much better in the S&G years as I have everything they recorded (well, at least official releases)... I have just three CD's worth of his solo stuff... I like the solo material... But his S&G stuff is truly amazing... Even the very early religious like folk stuff is interesting... But Bookends is an amazing album (with "Fakin It" my favorite off of it)...

Heck, I even liked Simon's acting in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" (if I remember correctly, he was some west coast music producer or something like that)...

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Digger · 07-10-2004, 02:05 AM

I think he played (for all intents and purposes) Clive Davis.