It's a difficult thing to wrap one's head around: the fact that Paul Simon turns 70 this year. For those of us who remember the release of Graceland a quarter of a century ago, his latest work is an album of poignant moments
It's a difficult thing to wrap one's head around: the fact that Paul Simon turns 70 this year. For those of us who remember the release of Graceland a quarter of a century ago, his latest work is an album of poignant moments. For those too young to remember, this will still be regarded as the most philosophical release of the year so far.
Simon has always belonged to that rare breed of musicians who place song writing and composition on an equal footing. His twelfth studio album continues in that tradition. Take this verse from opening track Getting Ready For Christmas Day: 'I got a nephew in Iraq, it's his third time back, but it's ending up the way it began. With the luck of a beginner, he'll be eating turkey dinner, on some mountain top in Pakistan.' On The Afterlifeu00a0-- a song about, um, the afterlifeu00a0-- he sings about God asking him to fill out a form, before waiting in line.
Spirituality is the predominant theme running through these 10 tracks; Simon even samples a preacher's sermon recorded in 1941. Impressively, these weighty matters are handled with the light touch of a veteran. Tracks like Rewrite, Love and Hard Times and Love Is an Eternal Sacred Light shine bright, helped along by everything from djembe drums and Balinese angklungs to African harps. His fascination for new sounds remains undiminished. He's still crazy after all these years. Please, get yourself a copy.
-u00a0So Beautiful Or So What, Paul Simon, Universal, Rs 395. Availabe at leading music stores.
ADVERTISEMENT
u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
