fri 29/03/2024

CD: Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What | reviews, news & interviews

CD: Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What

CD: Paul Simon - So Beautiful or So What

Veteran tunesmith considers life, death, God and the universe

It's a long way from 'Mrs Robinson', but Paul Simon hasn't run out of things to say

"How terribly strange to be 70", sang Simon and Garfunkel in "Old Friends", back in 1968. Paul Simon will be 70 in October, so this isn't a bad time for him to be taking a panoramic look at life, love, loss and the universe in this latest set of songs (it's his first since 2006's Surprise).

"How terribly strange to be 70", sang Simon and Garfunkel in "Old Friends", back in 1968. Paul Simon will be 70 in October, so this isn't a bad time for him to be taking a panoramic look at life, love, loss and the universe in this latest set of songs (it's his first since 2006's Surprise).

"Getting Ready for Christmas Day" has the effect of framing the album in a mysterious limbo, somewhere between here and eternity

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While Paul Simon still strikes an emotional chord with listeners, it’s hard not to miss his work with Art Garfunkel. “The Boxer” features one of most exquisite harmonies by Simon & Garfunkel. Simon says the song is autobiographical, written after reading the Bible; after years of praise, the duo were criticized as unauthentic. Rockaeology at http://bit.ly/gewuo9 has the story of the “lie la lie” chorus; it was originally a placeholder until lyrics could be written.

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