Mother and Child Reunion -Click Title To Play
I like Paul Simon's music just fine, but I'm in no way a huge Paul Simon fan. In fact, some of those Simon and Garfunkel songs (Bridge Over Troubled Water, Scarbourough Fair to name two) make me want to gouge me eyes out with a hot poker. I mean, they're right up there with American Pie and The Wreck Of The Edumund Fitzgerald for sheer ability to make me cringe. Not because they're bad songs, but just because they feel TOO 1960's to me. I can't really explain it, but as much as I love most music from that era, somehow some of it still freaks me out. It may be time to see a Doctor. Regardless, this album was recorded in the early 70's, and as such, doesn't freak me out in any way whatsoever.
That said, I do have an incredible admiration for a lot of Paul Simon's work, and this is one of those songs that just always puts a smile on my face in spite of the fact that I'm not really sure if it's a happy song or a sad song. The original is the genuine reggae article - recorded in Kingston Jamaica with Jimmy Cliff's backing band. Mine, not so much. This first solo record was obviously giving us a glimpse into Simon's fascination with world music that would take full effect on Graceland years later.
I strongly suspect that my affinity for some of his music comes from the fact that when I was young, my parents bought my two "learn to play guitar" books: One was Paul Simon and the other was Neil Young. This never made much since to me since the Paul Simon book was incredibly advanced with all types of crazy chords and the Neil Young book was so easy I could probably have my 5 year old son playing it by the end of the week if I had an ounce of patience, which I don't.
And if I'm counting along, I'm pretty sure my wife knows this song . . . .
Posts
Not a huge Paul Simon fan either - always preferred the stuff with Garfunkel - but recently discovered "St. Judy's Comet" from "There Goes Rhyming Simon" (1973ish) - excellent song. Was sick to death of "Me & Julio" until I saw it in the Royal Tennenbaums and now I don't turn it off when i hear it on Q104...
ReplyDeleteJust saw a "Classic Albums" episode on VH1-Classic about the making of "Graceland" - am going to have to revisit that album.
Matt Ryan
Caught a piece of the Graceland 'Classic Albums' thing myself - I'd like the see the whole thing. Want to see if they address the bit where he supposedly ripped off Los Lobos. Bet they don't.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I got the flash drive today. Will comence listening presently. Grazie.
"Loaded" was the last (unless you count "Squeeze" without Lou Reed, but who would do that?) and I guess it is polished when compared to the early stuff. "Sweet Jane" and "RNR" are on there.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Classic Album series - did you see the one on Reed's "Transformer"? Great episode and a pretty good album. I got into it a few years back and while I never need to hear "Walk on the Wild Side" ever again was glad to discover "Vicious" and "Andy's Chest". “Satellite of Love” and “Perfect Day” also on there. Overall, my Lou Reed tolerance level is low considering his output. I like all the VU stuff but only a limited amount of his solo work (at least from what I have heard). "Transformer" is worth a look - produced by Bowie. Also - his live "Rock and Roll Animal" from this period is great - glammed up (and I'm sure coked or methed up) mostly VU songs. Tight backing band - extended intro to "Sweet Jane" is a little much but hey, it was 1973.
I have not heard "Berlin" but it is supposedly a "masterpiece" misunderstood at the time of release. Reed recently played it all the way through live and released on DVD. Do you have it?
Matt Ryan
I had Berlin when I was a kid. On Vinyl. So some of the more hypnotic moments were slightly interrupted by crackles and pops. Think I traded in ELO 'Out of the Blue' for it straight up at the Princeton Record Exchange. ELO was popular at the time, I guess - 'cause that guy would routinely give me one record for every 10 of my parents records that I would sneak out of the house to trade in.
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