https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU2Nxdkp9VQ

I mean obviously this wasn't intentional, and the rationales behind each were way different, but stylistically 7 Psalms and the Songbook are very similar- very lyrically focused and (mostly) acoustic guitar pieces. IDK I just thought of that and it seemed neat.

I know that Artie had input on the songs, and made much of the production decisions and vocal arrangements, but at the core of it all it's still Paul writing the songs. To me it feels like the S&G albums are no different than albums like Surprise, Graceland, and SBOSW where he worked with different producers and artists to create sonically diverse music. I guess it really feels like S&G is an artistic choice more than anything else.

I’ve posted before how much I love Graceland, how creative, beautiful and iconic from beginning to end it is. How it was so accessible to kids like myself while being arguably the most sophisticated PS album when it was released. But I’ve never talked about this song that always floored me musically, while demonstrating unexpected arrangements. Especially the Shangaan vocals that come through in the chorus that play as “voice as instrument” for the majority of strictly English speaking listeners, while creating a totally unusual tension with Paul’s typical melodic arrangements and vocals. This was quite different for Paul’s music, the vocals were almost like guitar distortion and feedback on a Sonic Youth song, but totally in line with how Paul crafted disruptive music on this album, thematically beautiful, and classical arrangements.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Paul. I revere the music he made with Artie, and I adore the solo albums. Recently, I’ve found myself listening more to the tracks from his solo albums that didn’t set any charts on fire.

I started with “There Goes Rhymin’ Simon,” and I’ve found that there isn’t a single track on that album that I dislike. Obviously the hits are great… But, “Learn How to Fall”… “One Man’s Ceiling”… “Tenderness”… “Something so Right.” Masterpieces. Phenomenal folk rock master classes in prose and experimental/traditional orchestration.

I’ve recently made my way back to “Paul Simon” the album (1972). I love a lot of what’s on this record. But the track that grabs me the most is actually the very last track. “Congratulations.” It’s almost like a comically placed track that rewards you for making it through to the end of the album. But the substance behind the words… It’s about relationships turned sour. People turning up in divorce court (at least that’s my interpretation). And the last 40 seconds or so, the synthesizer and bass drum just walking together in 3. God it’s lovely.

I’ve listened to every song on every album as of now(I’m pretty sure), and I’m thrilled that I’ve done so.

I’m curious what anyone else’s “non-hit” favorites are. Looking forward to diving into Paul’s discography with anyone that’s interested :)

So, the most recent article about Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon meeting for lunch hit the "Music" subreddit and reading through the comments has me bewildered with the outrageous things people are saying about them. It's a lot of people calling one of them an asshole, and then someone calling the other one an asshole..but some people are calling Paul a wife beater and I just can't for the life of me figure out where anyone has ever read that. Combing through anything written about him, you wouldn't find a single thing like that. There are other crazy examples that I don't feel like typing out. I'm not spending my extra time worrying about what strangers thoughts are on my favorite musical artist, but I am blown away at how many people are willing to spout random b.s. from the rooftops without even checking themselves..I suppose this is just a rant, but I had to come to my fellow Gracelanders to vent

Hey folks. I am on the hint for a good book/biography re Paul Simon. Does anyone have any recommendations?

What’s everyone’s thoughts on the new song?

https://youtu.be/LmPG5q046FM?si=PbUJBklnoSvoTbGU

“Lasers in the jungle somewhere.” From BBC & Nature magazine, an undiscovered ancient city in Mexico’s jungles found accidentally with LIDAR lasers. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmznzkly3go?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=67d02519ab-nature-briefing-daily-20241030&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-67d02519ab-51097156

Like for a deluxe edition or smth? Legend has it the recordings still exist somewhere and I would 100% buy that. Hearts and Bones is my fav album♥️

Listening to Kodachrome, I noticed the drum part at "it's a wonder I can think at all". Genius.

Where's the cutoff? It's a half hour which is two long for one side, but Wikipedia says it's uninterrupted all the way thru.

paul simon taught a songwriting course at nyu in 1970 or 1971. i would love to know what he said during this class! is there any documentation of the class anywhere by someone who took it?

EDIT: i have the walter everett "swallowed by a song" essay-- looking for other resources that document that nyu class.

So guys, if you're old enough to have had an Android/smartphone when they were brand new perhaps you can relate. This was before music subscription apps but you could download various "MP3 player" apps that folks had uploaded music onto to share with others. Called bit something. Anyway they were kinda wonky & you couldn't find everything you were looking for but I came across what was listed as a Paul Simon song. I'd never heard it before but I loved it, was really beautiful. I've never been able to find it since (obviously those apps are long gone) It was kinda slow, a love or break up song. The only thing I can remember is some lyrics about sitting outside on a curb, maybe in the rain. Does anyone have any idea what song this might be? Thanks so much!

Interview link: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/04/i-never-said-i-was-going-to-retire-paul-simon-on-disability-drive-and-the-mystery-behind-his-greatest-songs

I'm really interested in hearing where he goes with this sound. As of about a year ago, he had 4/5 guitar pieces in the works. I'm guessing one of the songs is "When I Learned to Play Guitar", which he said was his first complete song post-Seven Psalms. He makes the song he's recorded with Edie sound pretty fascinating.

It sounds like he's writing differently than how he wrote Seven Psalms. If anything, this chasing the sound almost sounds closer to how we got Graceland. I'm really excited to see where he goes with this.

When I was a kid my best friend would play Graceland at her house. So much joy, and no effort to memorize the lyrics. Those Graceland songs are comfort, And genius song writing.

He played a small benefit concert for hearing loss treatment last night. He was joined by Mark Stewart. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/24/style/paul-simon-new-york-soho-sessions.html