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Elly Roberts reviews
Warner Bros.
2-CD: 
2-CD + DVD:
- Released: April 2008
- Rating: 10/10++
- Vote and comment on this album:
One of Americas greatest. Hits galore and more.
For many people (of a certain generation), 66 year-old Paul Frederic Simon hasprovided a soundtrack to their lives. His extraordinary four decade career hasseen many highs and occasional lows either partnering Art Garfunkel or as asolo artist.
To celebrate this achievement Warners release a top drawer selection of theusual fodder, but this time accompanied by less well know songs. The Grammyaward wining singer-songwriter was cited by Time magazine as one of the 100“people who shaped our world.”
After splitting with Garfunkel in 1971, he embarked on a solo career writingmaterial which included one of his first experiments with world music beginningwith the Jamaican inspired Mother And Child Reunion. On 73s ThereGoes Rhymin Simon he included gorgeous ballad Something So Right,a tribute to first wife Peggy. Also on the album were Kodachrome, AmericanTune, Loves Me Like A Rock. The latter two were oblique references aboutthe Watergate scandal. There was also personal favourite Take Me To The Mardi Gras.
Album Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) is still considered ahigh water mark in his illustrious career featuring massive hit 50 Ways ToLeave Your Lover. Over the next few years his writing waned until Slip Sliding Awayand 1980’s One Trick Pony, which included yet another hit Late in the Evening restored his credibility and popularity, though another slump happened withHearts And Bones album in 1983, hitting a lowly #34 in the UK.
Again, the title track was about a relationship, but this time with Carrie Fisherafter his divorce to Peggy. One of the albums highlights was the celebratorylament The Late Great Johnny Ace about R&B singer Johnny Ace and referencesto John Lennon. Apart from the hits, Train In The Distance proves to bea cool and lush gem.
Then came his biggie multi-platinum Graceland and second UK #1, winninghim a Grammy in 1986. The album was inspired by all things, a cassette tape, ofthe Boyoyo instrumental Gumboots. On it were classics such as Graceland (inspiredby a visit to Elvis place) and the next four songs of disc 2, Diamonds On TheSoles, Boy In The Bubble, You Can Call Me Al and Under African Skies.
Much of the remainder of disc 2 dips into albums Songs From The Capeman(1997) considered his most unsatisfying album, featuring the sensational acapella Adios Hermanos and Hispanic-flavoured Born In Puerto Ricoand punchy 50’s-styled Quality.
The final three songs are from what is considered his comeback Surprise,which I thought disappointing, though Father And Daughter was a returnto form.
There are 36 tracks including Mother And Child Reunion, Duncan, Me AndJulio Down By The School Yard, Gone At Last, Born At The Right Time anda full track listing is available at the Amazon links above.
File under: Essential? Too right!
Weblink:paulsimon.com
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.