Reviews (page 5 of 13)
I didn’t give this my full attention. Needs another listen. Knocking off a star for the zampoña.
Good stuff as always. Maybe need a few harmonies from Garfunkel though. Simpsons: Yes
This album is way better than Graceland which I found too much all over the place. It has those nice excursions in other genres but it doesn't try to hard and focuses on Simon as a singer, songwriter and player.
Huh, apparently "signer-songwriter" doesn't mean depressed bore. Someone should let the others know. Light-hearted, gently warm and soft, with some hits.
Really good album. Not quite at the level of his work with S&G but very close
I was excited for this, knowing only Mother and Child Reunion and Me and Julio, but honestly none of the others have really jumped out to me the way those two do. I enjoy the interesting mix of the sounds, and all the songs are good, but I think I'm just picky about ballads. I do like the folk-ier parts, and I feel like the album picks up as it leans into those toward the end
god I love you Mr. Simon. short kings always prevail
Pst "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is a gay tragedy
Mellow
Great songs, musically great, songwriting is great. The more I listened the more I enjoyed it.
relaxing album, good for working in the background. 4/5
Excellent songwriting, beautiful melodies, poetic lyrics. Stylistically, it's a little scattered, as Simon explores some new sounds. His vocal range is limited and not quite up to the job of being the lead, but his sincerity makes up for a lot.
The Chipmunks splitting was the best divine intervention
What an album. One of the best acoustic albums I've heard for a long time. Great acoustic guitar playing combined with beautiful voice and we'll get this album. I liked it. Got nothing much else to say. I'm guessing he's pretty influential too and this being his debut album really shows his talent. So much better than Adele. Songs saved: 7/11(I'm not counting demos and unreleased versions)
Didn’t really give this the listens it deserved. Making dinner kids talking over each other at me at etc. my impressions are that it starts strong and then loses my interest. I think maybe with more attention there may be something there.Also, I think it’s probably better than bookends. I have always thought it was weird. How prominent that Parka was on the cover.
I have failed you all. Fell off on this one. I'll need to pull a double header today. Since it's Paul Simon and I've heard this record....a....bunch, Gonna give it a 4. Don't hate me!
I like how Paul Simon integrates so many different sounds from different types of music, from different places. He has a way of making everything his own. paul is ez listenin with a soul
I’m a huge fan of Simon & Garfunkel but wasn’t super familiar with Paul Simon’s solo career outside a few hits (“Me And Julio”, “Kodachrome”, “Mother And Child Reunion”, and “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”) I loved this album, the opener “Mother And Child Reunion” is fantastic and the next several tracks are great. “Paranoia Blues” is also really good and I’ve always loved “Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard” this was good.
Great chill
4/5
nice, singer-songwriter tunes
Me and Julio did blow down by the school yard. Super pleasing voice. Consistent theme that does not get repetitive. Kind of a joy to listen to even if I have heard he is a little asshole. 7/10
A surprisingly good album. Of course I know Paul Simon, but I associated him more with music like you hear in Graceland or with Art Garfunkel. His music in these are ok but for nothing special. This, though, I found quite nice.
Highlights: "Mother and Child Reunion;" "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." This is the third Paul Simon or Simon & Garfunkel thing to come up here and at this point I'm starting to feel like I can say I enjoy Paul Simon.
Es un álbum muy tranquilo. Excelente producción musical. Algún día tendré tiempo para realmente disfrutar cada nota de este hermoso disco
I was surprised at how much I liked this.
Great singing
Although not a huge Paul Simon fan, I did enjoy this more than I expected. Fun travel into areas not previously explored while paired with Garfunkel.
Most of this was new to me (well everything besides Me and Julio) and it was an unexpected delight. Never heard him so stripped down, and he's a beast on guitar. Also I had no idea that Gatorade was ubiquitous enough in 1972 to be mentioned in a song - f'ing fascinating.
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard is exactly the kind of upbeat tune you need to hear on a cloudy Monday morning. Paul Simon is a hell of a songwriter.
Nothing says I'm no longer part of a musical duo than posting a close-up of your mug in a parka as the album cover. This is Simon publicly announcing his new direction as a solo artist, and it couldn't be clearer from the reggae inspired beats of the opening track 'Mother and Child Reunion', just one of his legacy hits. The rest of the album is filled with pep and playful lyrics. There's no doubt this continues to forge the path of a masterful storyteller with music that forecasts the international flavor that would in fuse his music throughout his career.
classic, very good
I have never listened to an entire Paul Simon album before. Sometimes his Simon-fication of popular music from different countries is tiresome to me. However, listening to a full album there was much more good than bad. I really liked the artists he featured and his lyrics are top notch
super fun upbeat singer-songwriter jams. you can hear him starting to gather ideas and influences for his later records here. it's almost like proto-graceland.
Nice instrumentals easy to listen too
Good discovery. Would have bypassed if not for 1001
a very good surprise, listened to it twice.
Paul Simon's self-titled debut solo album represents a significant departure in both lyrics and sonic exploration compared to the folk-rock works he created with his former partner, Art Garfunkel. His strong songwriting skills continue to shine as he delves into a variety of global musical styles, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, reggae, and South America and Africa rhythms. Simon's impressive guitar work and vocals are complemented by a diverse array of musicians, resulting in a collection of songs that are both varied and engaging. The album opens with "Mother and Child Reunion," a reggae-infused track that clearly demonstrates Simon's desire to broaden his musical palate. Other notable songs include "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," which features playful whistling, the gentle acoustic piece "Duncan" with its flute solo, and the jazz saxophone "Run That Body Down." The songs are a blend of whimsy and melancholy, featuring both tranquil melodies and upbeat, tie-tapping tunes. This album is clearly a precursor to his later critically acclaimed album "Graceland" (1986). Overall, it is a highly enjoyable album.
Lovely, gentle album. Favorites: Duncan, Peace Like a River
i like it
The other Paul. I much prefer Paul Simon’s solo work to his band stuff. You can feel early signs of the influence he’s had from African music on this release (before really ramping it up for Graceland), but it still has a rooting in his early folk period. This is a great little album.
Really enjoyed, interesting and catchy, fairly diverse album from a not-favourite artist.
sure was paul simon. i think i enjoy the songs i like more when not all back to back, but it wasn't the most strained listen i've had. 3.5
the mama [loc: rolling out of bed]: it's against the law me and Julio [loc: down by the schoolyard]: 😱
8/10
Not my favorite solo album of Paul Simon's but he can do now wrong!
nice album nice vibe. paar lieder gliket. aber wöri jez glaub eher als einzelni songs lose ned als album. paari hani au gar ned gfühlt.
A real chillers album. Probably my favorite Paul Simon solo album but I do need to relisten to "Graceland" before I can say for sure. Favorite track: Run That Body Down
nostalgic delight
Great one
A fun listen. Me and Julio is a classic and the rest of the album is great as well. Peak Paul Simon IMO.
extremely good record
I've always loved this kind of music and this album is no exception. However some tracks are quite "bland", they really don't try anything special. 3.7
I wanted to rate this 4. I went back and listened, and couldn't figure out which songs made me want to rate it so highly - but I still want to give it that rating, somehow. The only track I don't like is "Me and Julio".
enjoyable 👍
Artful, melodic folk rock/pop music.
If course this is wonderful. It's a special guy under circumstances that couldn't have been better to strike gold with.
Some great songs on here but I miss Garfunkel
Didn't connect to this on the first listen but after a few more I really started to pick up on a lot of the subtleties of the record. Fantastic guitar work, charming voice, and beautiful lyrics.
pretty good! 3 skips, has a lot of bangers tho duncan best song
Звук разительно отличается от слушанного ранее альбома 80-х. Это альбом понравился больше. Звучит как-то честнее. А начинается вообще с реггей.
A good album with a couple of classics on it. 4 stars or B+.
I love love love Paul Simon. This was a great first solo album and I probably would give it five stars if the ones that came after we’re not even so much better.
Although not of the quality of Graceland, this debut has some true gems and other quite promising tracks. It also offers a wide variety of styles and themes.
One of my favorite artists, but this felt like he was just figuring himself out, like there was a Garfunkel hole in the music that hadn't been filled with straightup simon yet, but I could see where the musical journey started and where it was heading to, highly liked album, not a loved it album.
Me and Julio alone is enough for a four star rating. The rest of the album is decent, although I do feel like a few of the tracks drag a bit.
“Finally, with Garfunkel out of the picture I can releasing as many ‘hobo’ related songs as I want.” - Paul Simon in 1972, probably
I wasn't sure what to expect of Paul Simon's solo work but so far I am impressed. A lot of different sounds and genre borrowing here. One song to the next would surprise me. Very enjoyable listen I had while cleaning and reorganizing the pantry. Look forward to more listens.
More than what I expected from this man
Exceptional talent; the album is relatively stripped down but musically dense. Great listen.
Thanks to this challenge, I've learned that I really enjoy Simon & Garfunkle and Paul Simon. Good stuff.
Something about Paul Simon's voice that I find so soothing. Definitely going to have to keep that in mind when the stress levels get too much.
For some reason I can't put my finger on, Paul Simon ends up making music that always manages to be pleasant. I once heard a timeless hit needs melancholy. In that regard he manages to always marry an upbeat and cheery tune with introspective or critical lyrics. Maybe that's the key?
Good stuff
This was a feel good album, it evoked nostalgia and brought up the beautiful wonders of being a child again.
I have always been a fan of Paul Simon and this album is no different. I don't think it's his best album but it's solid, overall, and has a few excellent songs and big hits.
A musical hug. You’d have to be soulless if ‘Me and Julio down by the schoolyard’ didn’t put a smile on your face!
This is a lovely record. Not my usual thing, but I bought Graceland back in the day and liked it. The recording quality and production is very good. Pretty perfect for a lazy Sunday morning playing through the house.
Un album qui fait du bien. Très sympa.
lovely
Second Paul Simon, starts groovy but then mellows out, but that's what Paul Simon is. Just so talented, a great storyteller, and makes for a great listen.
Love this album. Mother and Child Reunion remains a Simon favorite of mine; Me and Julio Down in the School Yard is great as well.
7.5/10 Fave track: Duncan
This is a great album, front to back. It’s not my favorite solo release from Paul Simon, but it’s still worth the listen every time. Excellent lyricism, great musical accompaniment. No complaints it’s just not Graceland.
Always good easy listening but not a wow I cant live without this album type of record.
Really fun, folksy and had a great time
Good vibes
Я могу быть старпером, но это так приятно и успокаивающе заучит. Понравилось, но скорее всего добавлять альбом в избранное не буду
кантри американщина, неплохо звучит. в начале тягомотно но со второй половины живо и чувственно, по сути гитара основной и почти единственный элемент аранжировки но при этом звучит все целостно и не скучно, что самое важное. 4
The last three tracks on the album in spotify are demos and I’m unsure whether they are part of the original release. Generally I don’t like hearing demos/duplicates/live versions along with the original tracks as they ruin the vibe of the original song for me. Overall I enjoyed this album, which has a good variety of stuff. Hobo Blues sounds like it could have been written in 1910.
A handful of excellent songs and a couple forgettable ones.
Paul heeft er zin in. Altijd leuk hoe hij, voor zijn tijd, nieuwe wegen verkend. Beginnen met een potje reggae, waarom niet. Energiek, melodieus, verstild. Ik mis enkel een nummer met wauw-factor, zoals ik het een beetje van de man gewend ben.
Paul Simon hit the ground running with this, his first post Garfunkel album. It dips into various genres whilst retaining the catchy folk elements that you associate with his early career. Every song was a joy and hearing hints of reggae and world music made this album sound like a halfway point between Simon and Garfunkel and Graceland and it’s all the better for it. I ended up listening to it 3 times across the day and I will definitely be adding it to my list of albums. 4 and a half stars.
Paul Simon is one the greatest American song writers of all time. Everything in this album feels so fundamental to folk music. That being said, this early in his solo career he hasn't quite reached the same heights of creativity that he will with Graceland and it's hard for me to rat this as highly as Graceland - it's just not comparable. Maybe it's bias that I had this album second but it is a clear step below.
Comforting & lovely, can happily have in the background and not feel overstimulated. I like Paul's style and I think his sound is timeless!
Talented Song writer a good listen!
me and julio jorking it down by the school yard
Congratulations! You found this album! Now listen to it!
Very good, enjoyed how folky it was with the blues twist towards the end. Paranoia Blues was my favourite track
Упрощëнный битлз. Есть моменты, когда можно послушать
4/5
this is Simon from Simon & Garfunkel. Great instrumental work in the album, has ilayaraaja vibes. fav track: armistice day other picks: duncan, run that body down, me and julio by the schoolyard
I'm really enjoying the variety in sounds. The guitar work has been really fun too. I love this style of acoustic guitar playing. It's very relaxing to me. I'm loving hearing all the different instruments on this record. I also just love Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard.
Such a beautiful voice. For sure would listen again
Liking this album, which feels like Graceland in formation. Fave tracks are Mother and Child Reunion, Duncan and Paranoia Blues.
Really liked, thanks Paul. Paul!
Felt folksy. I had first heard the Julio song in the SNL parody of Wes Anderson, and then Royal Tenenbaums. I enjoyed the flutes on Duncan, it reminded me of Illinoise. Some of the songs were kind of quiet and didn't have much going on. Low 4.
This album was alright but I love Paul Simon and I love Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.
Chill album. Pretty good. Liked it a lot more than Graceland
Great storytelling songs, a lot of good acoustic guitar work.
This is really nice, but of course the better was yet to come.
Looking at some of the reviews, I wondering if expectations are getting in the way of the enjoyment. A guy with a smallish tenor voice playing mostly quiet songs dominated by mostly acoustic guitar... sorry, you've got to go to him, you can't expect >2021 stylings and production to jump out at you and grab you by the throat. Seems like those into Vetiver and Iron & Wine would already be ready for this, and those who've already been through the Simon and Garfunkel catalog. Others have to try a little harder. Those who don't play guitar don't understand that Simon is doing some fascinating, unusual stuff here. "Armistice Day" in particular is a cool drop-D guitar workout, almost Leo Kottke-like, before the rest of the band kicks in. It provides some contrasting experimental haze to prepare you for the pop hit "Me and Julio...". ...and, after that, the acoustic break half-way through "Peace Like a River" (around 1:40) is incredible. I had never listened to this album before, only having heard "Julio" and "Mother & Child" before. It's interesting to grok all these early '70s Simon songs that are so solid, but so under the radar. "Peace", "Armistice" and "Duncan" stand out for me besides the hits. and hats off to the electric piano solo at the end of "Congratulations". That's the way the early 70s should end. Many commenters are comparing this to "Graceland" for some reason, a record that came 15 years later. I am guessing that album is one of the 1001 but I haven't run into it yet. I'm VERY familiar with that record. I'm not even going to BEGIN to compare a record I've heard once to one I've heard a hundred times. I'll just say that Simon, like him or not, is an absolutely 20th Century songwriting giant with a ton of classic songs, hits and gems to his name.
Simon without the Garfunkel. A poignant wordsmith and expressive troubadour. A wide range of influences blended effortlessly into an inconspicuously strong album.
With Paul Simon, Simon demonstrated his fearless commitment to experimentation while maintaining his signature knack for melody and poetic lyricism. The album feels timeless yet groundbreaking, a perfect example of Simon at his creative peak. Add in the iconic live versions of hits like “Me and Julio,” and it’s no surprise this album deserves its place as one of the greatest works of the era. 4.5 stars for me
I think I liked this fine enough? Not sure though. Probably a 7
Good album. Very mellow.
Solid, but we all knew that.
One of my favorite singer song writer. Smooth and easy listening. Great album. More please.
I surprised myself and liked this one.
“Duncan”, “Peace Like a River” and “Congratulations” are so beautiful that this gets four stars from me even though I actively dislike a lot of the lyrical content
Couple of songs were heaters
Very chill old school vibes. I like it when he doesn’t speak raggae.
Strong, very relaxing and calming.
Not bad at all. Vibes are upbeat chill.
genre: folk and a lil white man reggae. this was a fun listen and i quite enjoyed it!
I love Paul Simon, one of the greatest songwriters of all time. But just his voice without the harmonies of Garfunkel has never had the same emotional affect on me. Still a damn good album, "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is a song that I have so many good memories tied to, I can't not like this album.
The first entry by Paul Simon! I found myself liking this one a lot. It has a good mix of softer folksy sounds and upbeat jams. Simon's voice is also really nice- he has a distinct sound. Overall- very good album
🎧Love the flutes on Duncan. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard one of the best songs Simon’s ever written.
Paul Simon's album of the same name. I really liked this album. A good variety for a singer/songwriter. Lots of storytelling and painting pictures in an approachable way. The song order wove a tapestry and ended with what seemed like a conclusion.
First full album of Simon that I have listened to. Really enjoy the variety, lyrics, and Paul’s voice.
Very nice to listen to. His lyrics were thoughtful and interesting without being pretentious and annoying which hasn't happened very often on this list (cough cough Bob Dylan). Voice sounded really good. Instrumentation was very nice and had some nice variety to it. Overall very nice listen. Album cover is a little weird but nothing crazy.
I’ve not listened to a lot of Paul Simon’s work, but from what I’ve heard before I’ve enjoyed. I can see why this one is on the list. Great stuff.
so chill
Classic
Very nice, I like his tone in his voice. Plus his songwriting is always impressive, good story telling. I like the dash of latin and maybe like almost reggae that plays in a few tracks. Good stuff
74/100.
Ce serait le premier album solo de Paul Simon, suite à la rupture professionnelle avec Art Garfunkel, parti jouer à l’acteur. Très belle intro d’album avec une chanson reaggae (« Mother And Child Reunion ») et une deuxième chanson folk vraiment très belle (« Duncan »), avec des guitares très country et harmoniques et une flûte qui accompagne les refrains. Un disque qui s’écoute vraiment très bien, avec plusieurs chansons folks douces. Gros coups de cœur pour le sujet et le texte de « Run That Body Down » et pour la grande et rythmée « Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard », que je connaissais et aimais déjà beaucoup à cause du jouissif film « The Royal Tenenbaums » de Wes Anderson.
Probably the weakest Paul Simon/Simon & Garfunkel album that’s come up so far, but it’s still a cut above many other artists on the list. I count Mother and Child Reunion, Duncan and Me and Julio as the three standouts, but Run That Body Down and Peace Like a River aren’t too far behind, while Hobo’s Blues is delightfully short ’n’ sweet. 3.5
Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard
Good stuff. One of the best singer/songwriters. My favourite was Peace Like a River.
Lots of variation. It sounds too polite, though. Great for wallpaper. If you pay attention, you can hear that it's very well made. Still sounds like wallpaper. Favorite song: Armistice Day
Paul Simon is incredibly talented as singer, songwriter and guitar player. This is not as good as some of his later work or records together with Art Garfunkel, but still great.
Pretty good. I like Paul Simon.
I enjoyed it and will try and listen again
i liked it. pretty good. i like the instrumentals
I dig it. A little goofy at times, but tasteful overall.
Mjög falleg plata hjá Páli. Ótrúlegur lagahöfundur og góður að soga að sér sköpunarverk annarra, for better or worse.
Paul alltaf ljúfur og fínn, sérstaklega með Julio á skólalóðinni.
It’s Paul Simon but not the best. This has less to do with the individual songs and more to do with the feel of the album as a whole, which seems a bit scattered. Still some great songs: "Mother and Child Reunion," "Run that Body Down," "Armistice Day," "Peace like a River," "Papa Hobo," "Congratulations." "Me and Julio" is not very good, however, tho it sticks around, and "Paranoid Blues" works as a homage to the American blues but not a fantastic rendition.
Nice
Nice
A simple and well-made album. Have a close personal connection to this album as this was the first album my father bought after I was born. He tells a tale of listening to this album nonstop for the two weeks after I was born while he was taking care of me at home. Paul Simon having his first chance to be on his own, his music became a little funky or a little groovy, a little less folk, singer, songwriter and got blues and world music and it is really appreciated.
Now THIS is the Paul Simon I've been waiting for. Much more of the singer-songwriter vibe I was hoping for in the other two of his albums I've had thus far (#81 "Hearts and Bones" and #211 "Graceland"). I think really what I want from him (and what a lot of people probably want from him) is just more Simon and Garfunkel. And that probably frustrates the hell out of Paul Simon. But that's his problem. The elements of funk, world music, and folk that he weaves in here are, while a departure from what he'd done prior, welcomed because they're intertwined so seamlessly. They feel like they fit and they should be there as part of his sound. It's like the natural evolution from what he'd done with Garfunkel. This is an easy four stars. Close to five, really it was. Hell I'll even say it's really four and a half stars, but. I have to round that down here. It's like I said above - all I really want from him is more Simon and Garfunkel and this is the closest I'm assuming he ever got to making a record like that by himself. So I can't give it five because it isn't what I wanted it to be. Bummer. Standout Tracks: Mother and Child Reunion, Everything Put Together Falls Apart, Armistice Day, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Peace like a River, Hobo's Blues, Paranoia Blues
I had very low expectations for this as I was expecting some waffle folky nonsense, I was wrong and surprised, its got a bit of rock, a bit of ska, a bit of blues, its good stuff
I really enjoyed this!
This is good. Peaceful. It's simple, but it makes me happy. And it feels like a much better stylistic choice and vibes for Paul than Graceland. I do miss Art, but this works really well on its own. Favorite Song(s): Run That Body Down
Great vibes. Love Rhymin Simon
Gemmy
Tämä on kerrassaan hyvä levy, ja sopivan erillainen verratta S&G-osastoon. Reggaefiiliksetkään ei oikein haittaa mua. Tekisi mieli antaa febonen mutta ei tää ihan sinne riitä. Mitä vitosesta uupuu? Ehkä joku megaluokan klassikkobiisi vielä, en oo varma! 4/5
I have a theory that the older you get, the harder Paul Simon hits. My Standouts: Mother and Child Reunion, Me and Juilo Down by the Schoolyard, Peace Like a River, Congratulations
All the elements of what you are going to get out of a Paul Simon record...a mishmash of styles, all tastefully and respectfully adopted, with thoughtful songwriting...especially on the chord profression side. 3 chords and the truth this is not.
Really liked this one. Pleasant and cohesive sound, reminded me of a lot of the best parts of different genres. And I generally like Paul's voice :) Some are a bit boring but overall good listen. 4/4.5
This was wonderful. It encapsulates a lot of what Paul Simon did beautifully in this phase. Its a combination of really good pop songs, but with added musicality and breadth. Me and Julio is one of the og's.
One of the best songwriters, in my humble opinion. I was familiar with the hits, but hadn't ever listened to the entire album. I don't know that I would dive into the deep cuts again but it was an enjoyable listen. 3.5/5.
terug een mooi album van Polle
A singer-songwriter that excels at both
Throw in the hits and stuff some solid songwriting around them and you have yourself a Paul Simon album. I really do like ‘Duncan’ and enjoyed the demo version of ‘Paranoid Blues’. Nicely heard.
Knew some songs but never listened to entire album. Have to say I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Great production and songs had a lightness to them. Will definitely be listening to this again.
70s god
Que lindo es escuchar música sudamericana hecha por este hombre
Nada que un buen disco folky de un enano no pueda resolver
It's good, but I'm certain I could defeat Paul in the octagon.
Very good. I enjoyed.
Easy listen. 4/5
Całkiem przyjemne. Takie 4/5 do lecenie w tle
Enjoyed this. I like the Simon and Garfunkel super group better, but there are some great hits on this album.
A terrific debut solo album. I love a few of these songs and the rest I also enjoy.
total banger in me and julio, fair few deeper cuts elsewhere
I didn't realize how many of these tracks I already knew before I listened to this one in full. Solid classics all around.
Always a smooth listen.
Very well crafted, nuanced and smooth folk-rock album with a lot of different influences. My favorite was Duncan, which was heavily influenced by South American music (it reminded me a lot of El Condor Pasa). Great album!
I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump up to a 4. I think the most famous Paul Simon solo album is Graceland, and “You Can Call Me Al” is effectively the extent of my knowledge for Paul Simon as a solo artist. This is still pretty far away from the mid-80s though – this is pretty fresh after the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel as a duo. I don’t know how much of that is necessarily reflected in these songs, but this does feel like the start of a natural evolution and experimentation past their work. It’s not too different, obviously – a lot of this is steeped in the slower acoustics and storytelling that made Simon & Garfunkel work as a duo, but when he steps out of the box just a bit, whether it’s the reggae influenced opening track, or the more upbeat tempo of “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”, something pops just a little bit that makes most of these tracks work. However, I do think a lot of this album suffers from one continuous quirk that I just don’t vibe with – I think the album is just a little too ambiguous. There’s great storytelling here, but so much of it is made for the listener to fill in too many blanks, and it sort of makes the effort fall apart. There’s nothing wrong with ambiguity, but when it’s done this many times, it sort of loses the mystique and just starts to feel half-baked. You can only ask a listener to think so critically for so long without losing some of the focus on the music. It’s probably how Simon & Garfunkel functioned as a duo, cleaning up the ambiguity to find the perfect balance between intellectualism and airy prose. That’s not enough to drag it down to a 3.5 by itself though – I think there’s just a few too many acoustic only tracks here for my tastes, but they’re also so well done that I’d be remiss not to bump it up to a 4 overall. This is definitely a good album, and a rather fast 34 minutes, but it did leave me scratching your head a few too many times. Someone else will click with a bit more, but for me, I think it’s a solid album plagued by a few too many faults to really hit its highest potential. Hence, a 3.5 up to a 4.
Paul Simon's voice is always recognizable, but his music style is pretty much amorphous. He seems like a true artist who follows the sound wherever it leads him. The one through line is "folk". I really enjoyed the blues songs and obviously loved Julio. Didn't like some of the slower stuff.
-I like this one, I’ve had two Paul Simon records on here so far and they both seem pretty consistently good. It took me through a pretty wide range of moods, too. Some songs were definitely more interesting than others but none of it was definitively “bad” in my opinion -Favorites are Mother and Child Reunion and Run That Body Down
Paul is a GOAT
Instant simon&garfunkel vibes am inekicke. Bis ich cheggt han es isch au vum einte. Richtig gmüetlich, wär es klars 3.5, good mood, good music
It's a fun album! Mixes quite a lot of styles - folk, reggae, afrobeat, pop. Vampire Weekend have totally ripped this off :P
Loved it
Excellent album from front to back with a few classic songs sprinkled in there
Mother & Child Reunion is one of my all-time favorite songs, so this album starts strong. Me & Julio is great, as is Duncan. There are some clunky moments, but overall this is still an amazing album.
Þetta var svo góð plata að ég setti hana aftur á strax um kvöldið með matnum. Þessi plata mun augljóslega fara oftar í spilun sem rólegheitabakgrunnstónlist. Virkilega gott stöff
I always hated Paul Simon growing up. But he sure has grown on me. Motherless child reunion is an amazing song. This album is great ambiance for a nice visit with friends
Surprisingly enjoyable. Folky but not in a bad way.
I’m familiar with Simon & Garfunkel and Graceland, so this was totally new and surprisingly good to me. I really like this in-between period of Paul Simon, although I think he should stay away from reggae.
Very enjoyable but better with Garfunkel
Solid easy listening experience. Easy to enjoy 4.2
Loved everything put together falls apart
Love this.
Paul Simon's first album since his split from Art Garfunkel and it's good, not quite as good as the last couple of Simon & Garfunkel albums but you could tell where the talent in the duo came from. Mother & Child Runion and Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard are my personal highlights.
Great album. Never would have listened to Paul Simon without this site.
This is definitely the kind of music my parents listened to when I was little. Even if I don't explicitly recognize all the songs it has a certain comforting nostalgic feeling to it. I like that it's more laid back but still heartfelt. I think the brief interlude at the end that had a very "hobo" twang-guitar vibe hilarious and very unexpected. Definitely a creative decision, even if I don't agree with it. Favorite song: "Duncan" Best representation of the album: "Peace Like a River"
Good album
Not his best, but still a great artist finding his craft.
You know, I can’t tell how much of the Paul Simon songs I heard were with Garfunkel or were part of his solo efforts. Regardless, he is definitely one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time and this album is one of the highlights of his career. It is a big collection of varying styles, from classic folk rock, to reggae, to even some Brazilian samba. Yet the album keeps a very somber, very personal tone throughout its runtime, as seen in the likes of Duncan and Run That Body Down. It does feel likes it drags near the end a little, but this is a very good album overall. Favorite track: Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard Other hits: Duncan, Peace Like a River, Everything Put Together Falls Apart, Paranoia Blues, Mother and Child Reunion
fav: peace like a river menos fav: mother and child reunion mother and child reunion: nao esperava essa vibe reggae??? que estranho, pela capa eu achava que era algum rock hippie vibes paul mccartney dps do disband. é gostosinha, eu veria em algum filme do sessao da tarde. esquece n gostei. duncan: A FLAUTINHAAAAAAAAAAAAA gostei muito!!!!!!!!!!! salvei. vibes i rather be a sparrow than a snaaaaaillll, compreende mais a vibes que eu achei que o primeiro teria. eptfa: tristinho q nem o nome rtbd: normar n relevante armistice day: violao daora, gostei majdbts: gostei, curti. me lembrou beatles tb peace like a river: eu realmente amei essa desde o primeiro segundo. curti, aumentei o volume e acho que vai ser uma das poucas que vou voltar a ouvir de novo. (vi o perfil do cara e tem uma musica do MILTON NASCIMENTO pra ele?????) papa hobo e hobo blues: n achei nd demais paranoia blues: blues country. tem como ser melhor? gostei e salvei. adorei como ele canta o refrão congratulations: essa musica e triste NAO se engane pelo nome majdbts (demo): simpatica mas prefiro og duncan (demo): caralho essa musica e boa em qlqr versao. n tem flautinha mas tem a VIBE - reouvi e n gostei tanto q nem a versao original :( paranoia blues (unreleased): ...mas eu to ouvindo ela pq ta dada como nao lançada? vibes elvis e beatles transando e tendo um filho que é essa musica. QUE LETRA MALUCA, critica como o estados unidos fode td mundo, tb gostei dessa versao - reouvi e gostei mais que a original EXTRA: Um vento passou (Para Paul Simon) [feat. Paul Simon] de Milton Nascimento: o simon cantando em portugues?? que legal <3333 é um mpb meio jazz e é uma musica bem acalentadora, parece um abraço.
Despite some sleepy tracks I appreciated a variety of sounds and Me and Julio is one of my favs by him.
Solid, but the only standouts for me were the radio releases.
This was my first time listening to Paul Simon in its entirety, and it turned out to be a solid album. While it’s clearly a folk rock record, one of the first things I noticed was the subtle reggae influence on a few tracks. Not every song leans that way, but as the album progresses, it becomes clear that Simon draws from a variety of genres and styles. The percussion, in particular, adds a lot of texture and diversity. However, the overall production remains intentionally minimalistic, allowing Paul Simon’s fingerpicking guitar and vocals to take center stage.
Paul Simon is the second solo studio album by Paul Simon, originally released in 1972. I have such a soft spot for 1970s singer/songwriter albums. They feel so personal for some reason. Like I can relate to a lot of the songs from that scene. Paul Simon wasn't exactly part of Laurel Canyon scene, but this album gave me that same vibe. I really liked how varied the genres are on here. It starts off with a reggae/rocksteady track which I absolutely love. There's blues, folk, Americana, and some great great songwriting. The only drawback regarding this album is that it's a bit raw in my opinion. Some of the songs feel very unpolished/demo-ish. Maybe that's how they were intended to be. I'm probably just used to more polished singer/songwriter records from that era. Nonetheless, this was an awesome record!
This was Paul Simon's first solo album after Simon & Garfunkel broke up and it further proved that Simon drove the group with his fantastic songwriting. A good collection, too bad Kodachrome was on the next album because that is my favourite Paul Simon song. Overall, I consider, There Goes Rhymin' Simon his best record, but this album stands well on it's own. There are at least three songs that are as good as any S & G songs, but there is some filler, in my opinion, that keep it from being a classic.
Super solid.
Good.
Simon steps out sans Garfunkel. Clever lyrics make up for sometimes lacking melodies.
J’ai bien apprécié ce que Paulo a fait ici; le mélange de folk acoustique, de blues sale et même de… reggae? C’est pas une révolution, mais ça donne un ptit break au oreille
I think Paul Simon is a treasure, and this is a very good album, but I'm not sure how to rate it. As much as I love Paul, I want to give it 4 stars, but it's really only got a couple of great songs. I wouldn't call the rest filler -- it's still solid, but is it enough? Since I love Paul, I'll give it 4 stars, but I think it's borderline.
Hobo's Blues: "ooh, sounds like Django. Oh, it's Stéphane Grappelli on violin, nice!" Wish that track was longer.
Never a bad album.
I have been listening to Paul Simon's solo work for the first time this year, and the timing could not be better for his second studio album. I heard the reggae-leaning “Mother and Child Reunion” and “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” before the full listen. This self-titled album carries much of the same folk songwriting sensibility Paul had in Simon & Garfunkel, albeit while experimenting with some stylistic changes here and there. I already mentioned the reggae track, but there are also blues tracks towards the end, Latin music like on “Armistice Day” with the percussion switch up and saxophones, and smooth jazz like on “Run That Body Down” with the use of double bass and a vibraphone. All the while Paul sings about drugs, adolescence, and his troublesome marriage with then-wife Peggy Harper. The only complaint I had with the album is there wasn’t much variance in the folk guitar dynamics for some of the songs. It does come across as similar in the soft acoustic vibe outside of the style shifts mentioned previously. Still, I had a pleasant time with this album, and give it a solid recommendation.
I've been listening to a lot of Paul Simon (solo and Simon and Garfunkel) recently and I’ve come to realize just how great of a folk-pop writer he is. I tag 'pop' there because he has a way of making these mellow, tight, and punchy tracks so damn easy to enjoy - especially tracks like 'Mother and Child Reunion', 'Run That Body Down', 'Duncan', and 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard'. While not as melancholic as some of his stuff with S&G, it still has subtle hints of those bleaker moments, like on the song 'Congratulations' While I found the final few tracks semi-underwhelming, it was interesting to hear some of Paul's earlier folk-leaning works for the first time - and as expected, there are a handful of songs here that I'll be revisiting for, maybe, the rest of my life.
I liked Mother and Child Reunion, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard and Peace Like a River.
Really like Paul Simon actually. Great album 8/10
Almost a 5. Very enjoyable.
Have you ever noticed how stoned Paul Simon looks on the cover?
Excellent album. Paul Simon is great.
More beautiful songwriting. A couple of stone cold classics and a couple more that deserve to be better known than they are.
A lot more folk instrumentals than i expected.
Good songwriting and lyrics. Not quite as good as some of the Simon and Garfunkel but a pretty good self titled record. Unfortunately I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to this again, but it gets a 4 for my appreciation.
Maybe not his best, but it’s still really good. Paul Simon is just a great songwriter
Playful and tuneful
Lovely folk album, Paul Simon's lyrics and voice are both amazing and he has some nice fingerpicking throughout this too. "me and julio" is an obvious hit but I really enjoyed "Duncan", "Armistice day" and "Peace Like a River"
Bom, apesar de não ser dos meus artistas prediletos
great vibes
A couple boring songs but good overall.
Hello Simon my old friend
Love me some Paul Simon
Not my favorite of Paul Simon's content, but also one I haven't listened to a lot. I tend to prefer the more sparse instrumentation from these earlier albums (and his latest) over some of the more "world music" versions. But this doesn't have quite the emotional catch for me that some of Simon's writing does.
Has some all-time classics on it, and is filled out with some weird but okay songs. Giving it a four since the highs are so high, and there was at least one gem that I hadn't heard before listening to the whole album.
Приятно и талантливо. Под определенное настроение, но мне было бы сложно отличить этот альбом от других в этом жанре
Paul Simon hits with some really good deeper cuts I didn't know that were all very solid
"Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is one of my faves of his.
приятный фолк-роковый(вроде) альбом, даже немножко блюза есть. возвращаться буду, но не слишком часто, все же, не совсем мое.
Pretty much what you'd expect from one half of folk-rock megastars Simon & Garfunkel. Stand out songs are the firts two singles from the album: the reggae song "Mother and Child Reunion", and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard".
The most enjoyable Paul Simon album besides Graceland. Fun and not as boring as some of his other stuff.
7/10. Pleasant folk album. :)
A great find. Really enjoyable album.
Great chill album. I liked it.
Absolute banger. One of the greatest songwriters alive.
Really solid album. Has some classics and a lot of good deep cuts.
Me gustan mucho los arreglos en las canciones, buen álbum, no lo esperaba.
Lots of variety all of it interresting and worth listening to.
Love some of these songs, not a fan of all the pan flute or whatever that is but the African drum sounds are great. "Mother and Child Reunion" is an all-time favorite.
I've now realised I like Paul Simon
Excellent singer songwriter album, as you'd expect from Paul Simon, with lots of diverse flourishes, as you'd expect from Paul Simon. Also, it's eponymous, which is great as it gives me an excuse to write one of my favourite words. Oooh, eponymous. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard Date listened: 20/06/24
Paul’s voice and songwriting are incredible. I’ve gotten used to his voice on Still Crazy After All These Years and Graceland so my first thought on this listen was how his voice sounds so much younger on this album than I remember. It’s hard for me to pick a favorites, it’s just such a perfect collection of songs.
I genuinely like paul simon, so no surprise I enjoyed this album.
Folky. Pretty good. Chill and mellow. My favorite so far
Pretty good, deffo see where Vampire Weekend got their ideas from.
Paul Simon's treading a fine line between beautiful simplicity and blandness, and that's not necessarily a good thing. I think the full-on analog sound suits Simon pretty well – and, given his discography, it seems like he agrees with me – but when acoustic instruments swamp an entire album, it's easy to get tired of them. Still, in terms of singer-songwriters (i.e. people who rarely, if ever, make use of new/electric/innovative sounds), Paul Simon's one of the best. He's great at constructing a happy, carefree atmosphere with some truly fantastic lyricism and solid production. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard is great. In fact, it's one of my favourite 70s songs, even before having heard this album. It's the only track I'd heard before, and it still remains my favourite. (Can't really go wrong with Simon's youthful, peppy vocal over a I-V-I-V guitar chord progression.) Excluding Graceland, this is surely the best in Simon's solo discography. I was also impressed by the lively reggae track Mother and Child Reunion, and the lower-energy, lyrics-focused Run That Body Down and Peace Like a River. The remaining tracks, on side 2 in particular, were not impressive, and an album consisting only of songs of that quality would get a 2/5 at most. Paranoia Blues, Hobo's Blues, Papa Hobo... they just felt a little devoid of substance. But I think I can forgive Simon just this once. 3.5/5 Key tracks: Mother and Child Reunion, Duncan, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Peace Like A River, Run That Body Down
Pretty good old tunes.
Apparently not a great person but he did make some wonderful music.
riktigt bra alltså. fan vad go han är. vissa låtar är lite sömniga men ändå bra. det hade ändå behövt hända lite mer på albumet för att det ska bli en femma
While it's not his best work, Paul's songwriting shines through with many of the songs containing beautiful melodies. Very Paul Mccartney-esque at times Influences from music created in other countries is seeping into the album, but rather than taking over almost completely (like graceland) it's incorporation is generally a bit more subtle which I personally find interesting. (with the exception of the first song) No song stands out as being totally trascendent like on other albums (like 50 ways to leave a lover or sounds of silence or bridge over troubled water) But the album is very consistantly good
Paul Simon sings about New England like Anthony Kiedis sings about California
Paul Simon is an amazing songwriter and this album is one of many that illustrates this fact. His ability to incorporate a variety of musical influences is in its infancy on this album. This is a taste of what is to come.
Not his best. But still great highlights. Some filler from older stuff as he was trying to gain traction.
Really nice and chill
A master craftsman at work. Even if Paul Simon isn't your thing, you must appreciate the man's ability to write and record. A national treasure at his best right here.
Didn't know this was the Simon and Garfunkle guy. More interesting than what I would have expected. Didn't expect the slight reggae vibes in the first song. Some Dylan vibes and I liked the narrative nature of the songs. Good fun easy listening! 7/10
Great collection of songs. I'd only heard some of them before, but the whole album is solid.
Good album, easy listening.
I always thought Neil Young was one of the best acoustic guitar players but I think Paul Simon is a strong contender for that claim. Simon's playing is fantastic throughout this record. The arrangements are so well thought out my only issue with Paul Simon are his lyrics. His singing is wonderful, but half the stuff he is talking about seems random for the sake of random. Unless he is on some other wavelength that I can't achieve. Most of these songs were great listens. I'd say this is album is 90% incredible. He definitely was the talent in Simon and Garfunkle. I wonder if Art has a record on this list. Time will tell.
Paul Simon is a fantastic songwriter who really has an ability to set the scene for you in his songs. He gives an intimate feeling of friendship with his lyrics; like you’ve always known him. This is a fantastic songwriter’s album. Good songs without overproduction. I really enjoyed it.
Mother and Child Reunion is a brilliant song. Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard is great too. Really enjoyable listen 4/5
This is really good! I'd almost call it too short.
why did i not know its the SIMON and Garfunkel girl im so dumb 4.5/5
all the tracks are beautifully composed. great body of work
Mellow, deep and shine good bops. I really liked Armistice Day.
Not as many bangers as I thought, but still good!
Paul did some strong work from the last S&G record up until Graceland. This is probably my third favorite off that list.
Paul Simon is a master story teller with exceptional lyrical phrasing. He brought the best and most innovative musicians to his albums. His music just feels good.
Very pleasant! I enjoyed just about every song on this album. The whole album feels very intimate and personal. It's very easy to listen to. I could imagine listening to this on a rainy day next to the fire. 8/10 Would I listen again? Yes
Paul Simon should not have known what Gatorade was in 1971.
3.75
Excellent classic
I liked it I knew one of the songs and it was different experience. I got caught up in being an album that had a clear narrative structure
This was really good!
Ta güeno
Good, some good hits but some filler songs that sounded a bit similar. Too slow for my taste, but good songwriting.
A nice folksy songwriters’ album. 8.3/10 Best Track: “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”
Easy listenin
it feels like I would listen to this album if I was studying at a coffee shop or taking a pensive walk (Bon Iver FEFA vibes). not bad, would be a good candidate for glee covers. I do like it the more I listen!
Prachtige stem, mooie muziek. Kan zeker in achting groeien
A real classic and a real talent
Lovely stuff. Acoustic guitar recording here is top shelf - some of the best I've heard. Great songwriting. 1 or 2 more hits would make this a 5. Julio isn't quite enough to lift it up there IMHO.
Lovely and charming and exceedingly well produced – just sounds crisp all around and outright pristine at times. There are many interesting – and ambitious – instrumentation/arrangement choices, which give each song its own personality. The reggae-vibes on the opener, the penny whistle-y flute and sea shanty effects of “Duncan.” See oompah-band effects and whistling on “Papa Hobo,” Hot-Club-cum-Dixieland-ish strings on”Hobo’s Blues” and the bluesy stomp of “Paranoid Blues.” Besides the obvious cuts, “Run That Body Down” is a waltzy revelation (the vibes add much – another great touch – as is the easy-mellow wah-wah-ing solo). “Congratulations” is the loveliest sort of lilting, with cool, melancholic-whimsical organ to make a fittingly high-quality close to the whole record. As much as one thinks Simon is massively arrogant and credits the stories about him being difficult to work with, there’s no disputing the pure excellence.
Hobo’s Blues sounds like I’m watching a Pixar short
Thank you Simon no Garfunkel
I've always been somewhat annoyed by Paul Simon's solo stuff. But this is a good album!
I have always loved this album. 3 epic tunes 2 good ones, and some filler. Like a snapshot of Paul Simon during the period when his genius was evident, but no fully developed.
A really nice friendly album, I can't pick many flaws with it, but I think it just slightly lacks some of that special sauce that Paul Simon is capable of. Fave Tracks: Mother and Child Reunion, Armistice Day, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Peace Like a River 4.2/5