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Music > Albums > Paul Simon - Paul Simon: Remastered and Expanded (2004) Retail CD
added on April 25, 2007, at 18:03 by Menta

This is the thoroughly brave follow up to the commercial smash that was 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Paul Simon strikes out on his own and produces such an incredible masterpiece. The production is somewhat less lavish but the songs are every bit as good. And an incredible quarter of a century later, they stand up incredibly well.Paul Simon's songwriting is about as consistent as any other artist and none more so than on this debut solo album from 1972. The opener, a reggae tinged song about...well about a Mother And Child Reunion is simply great. Already on this opening track he has moved into previously unchartered territories (although 'Why Don't You Write Me' from 'Bridge' had hinted at this musical style). Then 'Duncan' is such a perfect ballad with an incredibly moving lyric...'crept to her tent with a flashlight' to name but one great line. 'Everything Put Together Falls Apart' is a sensitive ballad of the highest order. It is put simply quite perfect. 'Run That Body Down' finds Simon in humorous mood and it is a great relief to hear such humour on what must be said is quite a depressing collection. Not that the music isn't utterly brilliant of course. 'Armistice Day' is quite hard to listen to. But it has meaning. And that should never be underestimated.Side 2 (vinly record) opens with the joyous 'Me And Julio' which so easily could have become a Simon And Garfunkel classic had the duo stayed together a couple more years. No Matter. It is a classic Paul Simon solo track. Then there are other great tracks such as 'Peace like A River' and 'Papa Hobo' which are too personal to warrant any input from Garfunkel. Let it be said here: Garfunkel was a wonderful singing partner for Paul Simon in the 1960s but in the 1970s Paul Simon was quite capable of producing great songs without his ex partner's input. In fact it is thoroughly appropriate that this is a Solo Album. These songs are not particularly commercial but Boy do they reach home, such is their weight, sincerity and thoroughly personal lyric. Just as with The Beatles, the break up could actually benefit the music rather than kill it. Paul Simon on this album bares his soul. And it is wonderful. The other tracks are never less than interesting and lyrically this album is a Tour De Force the whole way through. Albeit with a slightly sad edge to the whole proceedings. Not a happy album like 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon', the next album (1973).The last track, the brilliant 'Congratulations' is equally sad as it seems to deal with the heartbreaking break up of a relationship. In fact Simon even questions here 'Can a man and a woman live together in peace?' no less. He would ask the same question five years later when his first marriage broke up only this time with some humour on 'Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover' (1975).This album has none of that humour whatsoever, 'Run That Body Down' providing the only possible exception. But Sad albums do not equal Bad albums. Witness 'John Lennon Plastic Ono Band' (1970) for example. This is Paul Simon's timeless equivalent, and interestingly the two albums were released within a year or two of eachother.

front 1341 x 1341 px

back 1784 x 1369 px