Reviews (page 7 of 13)
Great melodies and sound. Some great songs but not quite as fantastic as some of his earlier and later works
My grandparents’ music. Few artists have been as influential as Simon and Garfunkel in the 20th Century, and Paul is just as popular if not more in his solo career. I mean who hasn’t heard Me and Julio Down by The Schoolyard? I really enjoy the stripped down instrumentals and bare vocals that are bordering on ASMR, even if this isn’t my typical genre. Paul has talent and he knows it. His voice is so soothing and the nice guitar makes you feel like he’s right next to your bed, serenading you to sleep. I also feel like I can’t really place this album in a certain genre. Every song makes me want to put it in one, then the next song turns that on its head. I can also place a lot of modern bands having been influenced by this album. Listening to Papa Hobo and Armistice Day, I feel like Jack Johnson is a direct descendant of this album. It’s overall fun and soothing to listen to, but none of the songs are being added to my playlist. My favorites: Duncan, Everything Put Together Falls Apart, Armistice Day, Congratulations, Paranoia Blues (Unreleased Version)
It was nice, although I prefer Simon and Garfunkel together
Deze was een leuke listen! Mother and child reunion en me and juli waren top
I like Paul Simon, solo or duo. But this project is making me realize how much exploration I haven't done into artists I enjoy. I'm glad to have been presented this album and enjoyed it all the way through. Duncan and Paranoia Blues are new to me and great, and Me & Julio of course is a particular standout. That said I don't love the entire collection of songs as much as I do albums before (Bridge over Troubled Waters) or after (Graceland).
Another one that I will probably relisten to
Surprised I hadn't heard this one before. Good album, Paul Simon is a great story teller. Me & Julio is still my favorite, enjoyed Paranoia Blues and Run that Body Down.
Never thought I'd like this listening to the entire album experience but boy I was wrong. Loved the voice and the calm this entire album exuded 4stars
This album was very pleasant to listen to. Not much to say other than that; very good paul Simon. Me and Julio in the courtyard is great
listened to again i really like paul simon
Good stuff
Men' je ovo dosta simpatičan album. Miran i opuštajuć album uz zvukove folka.
e bão mas falto o garfunkel
Very good. Exactly what I expected from Paul Simon.
There's just something comforting about this album. Faves: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Paranoia Blues
J’ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à écouter cet album. Plus que Graceland. Il a une façon très variée et créative d’écrire la partie paroles/vocale.
J'avais déjà écouté cet album avec un autre groupe. En plus d'avoir écouté Graceland il y a quelques semaines, mon écoute en était différente cette fois. J'aime de plus en plus Paul Simon. J'ai beaucoup plus aimé cet album cette fois-ci. Sa voix et sa façon de raconter des histoires en ne sacrifiant pas une bonne mélodie en fait sa force. Bien sûr Graceland vieilli un peu plus mal à cause de l'époque de son enregistrement, mais pour moi You Can Call Me All est une des meilleures pièces de Paul Simon. Par contre ce deuxième album solo s'écoute vraiment bien. Pièces préférées: Me and Julio by the school, Mother and child reunion, Duncan et Run That Body Down
Great classic blues-inspired folk!
Good stuff. Love the blues songs in there.
Very good, clearly staking Simon’s claim as a self-sufficient solo act. Some of the writing suffers his flaw of being a little too precious, particularly as it clashes with the aspirations to a darker, street-level sensibility.
this is the backing track of me romanticizing my life lol
Paul Simon is amazing
I just really love a spot of Paul Simon. Very laid back and sweet.
Easy singer/songwriter vibe. Paul Simon incorporates some world type sounds into his album, ex: "Duncan" uses what sound like pan flutes. I enjoyed it, though I'm not sure this particular sound is my fave.
Meglio di altri cantautori che mi han fatto sentire, ma secondo me è come per i poeti, o te ne innamori o non ti dicono un cazzo, sebbene qualcuno dica che siano i migliori di tutta la storia messa insieme. Però ad un secondo ascolto mi è piaciuto di più!
Not really a singer/songwriter fan (it takes me like 10 listens to most music before I start paying any attention to the lyrics), but man, Paul Simon can write a tune.
I should get this on vinyl
I have to be honest; I've never gone back prior to " Graceland" and listened specifically to any Paul Simon. His music was played enough on the radio for me. This album contains two of his most popular and best songs, "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Me and Julio Down By the School Yard" Those are almost unique songs on this album as most of the songs are more laid back and subtle: acoustic guitars, a few instruments and sparse arrangements. The songs tell stories some personal, others probably from another of view whose topics cover struggling relationships, infidelity, politics somewhat, drugs and broken dreams. "Peace Like a River " kind of reminds me of R.E.M.'s "Automatic for the People" sound. Other than the two hits, no other songs really stood apart; not to say, they are bad or this a bad album. The lyrics are great. This a personal album and easy to listen to in a singer-songwriter sort of way. You definitely don't see " Graceland" coming from this album, more, a separation from his Simon & Garfunkel days and music.
Folk-rock. Un poco lento para el vinilo. Un 4.
A great album from one of the most highly-regarded songwriters of the 20th century. I am more familiar with Paul Simon's work with Art Garfunkel than I am his solo career (although I do love 'Kodachrome' and 'Me And Julio Down By the Schoolyard', the latter of which comes from this album). Because of this, I was very interested to hear what was his first release after S&G broke up sounded like. After giving this one a go, I would say my expectations were met exactly as this was a very good effort by Simon for his first solo venture. Every song on here is solid with no real duds. The album included not only tracks that could be considered throwbacks to his former group but also songs signaling a change in direction for his own career. The record overall reminded me a lot of Paul McCartney's first solo album but WAY more polished ('Run That Body Down' and 'Congratulations' would not have felt out of character from either Paul). This was a strange connection for me to make as I've never found the two similar before. It is also weird that both albums came out within a couple of years of each other during a period of disbandment (I think McCartney released his while the Beatles were still together, but they were holding on by a thread at that point). Anyways, I still found 'Me and Julio' to be the best and most fun track on the record, and while I do think his work with Art is stronger, I really enjoyed listening to this release. I would give it another spin in the future, but it mainly makes me excited to hear some full Simon and Garfunkel albums later on in this list. 4/5.
4.25
Good album! Really like the first song, mother & child reunion. Whole album is an illustration of Paul Simon's musical ability and style
Ordagrant bara chillin
It's lit!
just some nice stuff
Not quite the heights of his work with Garfunkel, or his later solo work.
4.5
I've never really listened to any solo Paul Simon until this list. I knew a few songs here and there.
Simon's first without Garfunkel. Another classic. It has some standout tracks, but everything fit together nicely.
Faul Simon
Me and Julio, baby. Not as strong as Graceland, but what is? That jacket on the cover looks comfy.
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard znama pesnicka a dobra
Was pleasantly surprised. I don't know Simon and Garfunkel, and I'm not a big fan of folk and singer/songwriter, but this is the best folk album that I have ever heard so far. I love the reggae, rock, and other elements blended with folk in this album. I like his voice, and that's probably one of Simon and Garfunkel's defining assets. I also enjoyed the guitars and the other instrumentals. I'm now excited to hear a Simon and Garfunkel album. I'm pretty sure that I'll enjoy it. I wonder how different the duo's sound were, and how much did Simon explore. Anyway, I just learned today that I can actually enjoy a freaking folk album. That's one of the beauties of this project.
Album good, for name +1, so in total 4*
Paul Simon's music has changed so much through his career. Listening to his discography as a whole would be rewarding, I'm sure.
That man can certainly write a song, even if he can't always keep your attention.
Joyful listening. Floating across genres with ease
While I prefer Simon's later work, this sets out his stall as an immensely talented musician, drawing on influences from many genres. Definitely worth a listen.
Not my genre but very good album
Paranoia blues: goosebumps
First Simon solo, great album.
Nice listen, love Mother and Child Reunion and Me and Julio. Duncan a nice discovery.
Ik mag dit album wel. Gisteren lekker op lp geluisterd en dat maakt het nog wat leuker
Folk. Bastante bien.
Nice folky tunes
Difficult to rate - he's a genius so I could listen to him noodling all day, but a lot of tracks lacked focus. The ones that had it were fantastic (Me and julio, mother and child...) but the rest were so-so.
This is just one of several excellent Paul Simon solo albums from the early seventies - the singles are clearly 5* songs - the other ones vary a bit. I had not listened to it for many years, and it is interesting to note its influence on artists like Iron and Wine.
Paul Simon is one of my favourite song writers of all time but I wouldn’t say this is a stand out album. A couple of brilliant songs on there and cool to hear him playing with reggae and blues influences.
Dodgy start but really settled into it.
i really like this
Jamen, jeg er en hund for Paul Simon. Rigtig godt guitarspil. Lyder skide godt
Quite pleasant to listen to
Pretty chill, not as good as some of his albums (Graceland comes to mind), but still pretty good. Favourite is Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.
Soft and sweet acoustic
Grade school music played all the time at the local rec/Game Center
Simon is as talented alone as he was with funkel 👍🏼Great musician and writer. “Julio, Mother & Child & Papa hobo are great. One of only a few artists who went out on his own and had the talent to carry himself🤛🏼
Really, really dug this one. We all know Paul Simon, for me it's largely from his stint with Mr. Garfunkel. But his style and songwriting stands on its own here. Such a lively variety to the music. Really just an excellent singer/songwriter album. So many tracks on here I'll be returning to. Favorite tracks: Me and Julio, Duncan, Paranoia Blues, Run That Body Down, Armistice Day. Album art: Great portrait cover. The drip is immaculate. U so icy, imma glacier boy type of cover. 4.5/5
L'album commence d'une façon des plus inquiétantes avec un morceau d'inspiration reggae. Le bon goût de Paul Simon reprend ensuite la barre et navigue jusqu'à la fin dans des eaux bien plus saines et propres. D'ailleurs, en parlant d'un célèbre professeur de mathématiques, vous avez peut-être lu la critique de mon odieux complice générateurien elmanganèse. Je voulais simplement préciser que ce qu'il raconte est un tissu de mensonges et qu'il n'en est pas à son premier séjour en hôpital psychiatrique si vous voyez ce que j'insinue.
Some classic songs, may contain traces of cultural appropriation
Concise and nice to listen to. Good stuff. Will revisit.
Yeah ok, this was nice - you can hear he's starting to get a taste for incorporating world music into his sound. The "Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard" lyric "Goodbye to Rosie, the queen of Corona" hits differently in 2021. 😞 Fave track - gotta be "Paranoia Blues". Relatable!
Great one, a nice surprise. I found this one totally familiar but don’t think I’ve ever heard it in its totality before
Deep cut pick: Peace Like a River
Some fantastic lyrics and I was amazing by the blues songs
Didn't know him apart from one song, really enjoyed this
Fantastic instrumentalists - Stephane Grapelli, Steven Grossman....
Very good to great.
Great folky vibe. Me & Julio is so great.
Always love me some Paul Simon
I think I still like his later albums more but this one was solid. ‘Me and Julio...’ is one of his all-time great songs. ‘Duncan’ is a track I had never heard that I really liked.
Love me a bit of Paul Simon
Pretty good. Me and Julio is great. Paranoia blues is great.
Deece singer songwriter vibes
Good, chill, Saturday afternoon listen for hanging in the garden.
Listening to Paul Simon makes me feel like I'm 7 years old again and riding in the back of my parents' station wagon, just watching out the window. To be clear, this is a very good thing. Even though for me the highs of Simon & Garfunkel may be higher than any of their solo works, solo Simon (and especially this album) is consistently excellent; and for an album that is nearly 50 (!) years old now this still holds up so well sonically and musically; the arrangements are perfect in that each song may seem simple (accessible) but underneath lies a sneaky complexity. Some classic singles in here that most people will know and yet the deep cuts are all quality - not a bad song in the entire batch - 4 stars. (aside: I love the old-school short length of records back then - perfectly digestible lengths)
Somewhat pensive at times but nicely produced. Low key and intimate, overall a really lovely album. Reminds me of the Beatles and Crosby, Stills and Nash in parts.
Nice happy album, reminds me of the artist Beans on Toast if he was more grounded but just as fun.
Влюбился в Пола Саймона после прослушивания. Спасибо этому проекту.
Pretty good. Not as good as Graceland, but some really good songs.
Hermoso! Lo re disfruté
Good stuff.
Not gonna lie, this kinda put me to sleep the first listen, but this was phenomenal with more time and less distractions. 4 because I liked the start more than the end of the album, but still very very good. Saved: Mother and Child Reunion, Duncan, Peace Like a River
Listened to half of it sorry Paul Simon
Jokin karismaattinen magneettisuus Paulin äänessä ja biiseissä on ilman dynaamista duoakin. Olisi pitänyt edetä seuraavaan levyyn, mutta parin päivän aikana pyörittelin viitisen kertaa läpi. Hyvä levy.
Seriously impressive album that covers a lot of ground.
Leppoisaa musaa. Kuuntelin levyn parilla eri miksauksella (perinteinen ja "360 reality audio") ja varsinkin tuolla 360ra:lla kuulosti todella hyvältä. Olin jo kirjoittamassa tähän, että vähän samaa henkeä kuin Simon & Garfunkelissa, mutta sitten tajusin että niin, tää on varmaan just se Simon! :D
Enjoyable
Ohne auch nur einen Ton reingehört zu haben kann ich schonmal sagen: schönes Cover. Ich mag diese 70er-Fotografie sehr gern (die Farben, das leicht grobkörnige und braunstichige), und die Platzierung der Schrift auch. Gestern das von Yes hat mir ebenfalls gut gefallen. Angehört und erstaunt, dass Paul Simon schon 1972 den Reggae nach New York gebracht hat. Auch sonst tolles Album, absolut zeitlose Produktion. Geht immer, stört nie. 3,7 Punkte.
God I hate this man more the more I like his music. Great songwriting, asshole.
paroles et ambiance
Album qui s'écoute très bien! Pièces variées avec différentes influences. Très bons musiciens, j'ai bien aimé la guitare. Pu capable d'entendre "Me and Julio by the Schoolyard" mais ça c'est personnel (une affaire de barista). Belle ambiance de coffeeshop :)
It's good to see Paul Simon's experiments with world music began here. Paul Simon is special to me. I saw his last ever concert in Flushing a few years back. I can still remember dancing around, having spent the day touring Manhattan with my mother. This is like canned joy, like a summer day on the world's greatest city strolling through the different vibrant neighborhoods. His lilting voice and beat poetry are on full display, bright and shiny and catchy as all get out. It's an album for better days, full of hope in rough places. Perfection.
Quite a few 5 star bangers, but rating the overall album.
Me and juliooo down by the schoolyard
Opening with Caribbean sound is a nice touch. Goes into a more folk sound for other songs. Albums ends with more blues numbers. It's like Paul is flexing his musical muscles and trying out more than what he has done over the last 10 years.
Starts off so so but has a few songs I really enjoyed!
that was great - i didn't realize so many good songs were all on one album
I was a little nervous when he started up with straight up Bob Marley, but it turned around immediately and I ended up liking the album. "Paranoia Blues" stuck out. Also "Everything Put Together Falls Apart" and "Run That Body Down" on second listen. Yeah I like this.
Way to chill for most situations but it is a very good album
Great first solo album...sorry, Art
Production: 16/20 Songwriting: 17/20 Innovation: 14/20 Bangers: 5/20 Emotional response: 15/20 =67 Bloody lovely album. Who needs Art!
Surprisingly good despite the missing Garfunkel
JULIO!
More textured and bluesy than I'd expect from Paul Simon. I like the blown out guitars. Tastes like meatloaf.
A great album.
Brilliant..
Quite chill, I like how it sounds. It has the calmness of Bob Dylan but also its own air of confidence. Solid 4 stars.
Not my favorite Paul Simon album but it was a fun listen
Great happy vibes! Liked his other album better but this was enjoyable. Not as versatile as graceland
Pretty solid album, lots of good songs, but I can't give 5 cause some songs are bit pouash.
Nowhere near the absolute peak of joy that is Graceland, but it's solid enough. An otherwise 3 star album elevated to 4 stars on the strength of one song (in this case, Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard)
Good stuff. Not much to say here, some really enjoyable pop rock on this album.
Paul Simon is not generally someone I listen to on my own, but I always enjoy his albums. He does every mood well, which provides a real richness to all of his albums 4/5
4/5
This is pretty damned good. A diversity of sounds and styles. And yet it all feels so intimate, honest and bare. Feels like a Saturday afternoon in a hammock. Paul Simon is a treasure.
A pleasant experience. More interesting stories told through lyrics in Paul Simon songs. I don't recall ever hearing Duncan before, but I certainly had it on repeat today.
great Paul Simon album
3.25 respect the craft.
Unlike Graceland, I don’t feel like this offers much more than S&G together. It was perfectly alright , but a bit plain and forgettable at times. Current ranking of the Paul Simon albums: 4. Parsley etc 3. This one 2. Bookends 1. Graceland 6 / 10 Best tracks: Paranoia Blues, Me and Julio
I was really excited to listen to this as a huge fan of Graceland, but I couldn’t connect to any of the songs.
I’ve never been the biggest Simon fan, but his collaboration with notable jazz bassist Ron Carter seeps through the music in a natural and effective way, as if the two are speaking the same musical language, but different dialects. One of Simons’ best albums, and will be looking to add this physically.
Big fan of rulo rhymin Simon. Unfortunately this album was below his standards
Some good songs!
Mwagh
I love this, it’s very cute and calming, this is also the first day of using 1001 album generator cause I wanna know A LOT of music Anyway this was beautiful Day 1
Decent. I liked the couple of blues tunes later on in particular.
Some good songwriting, but I think his performances are better elsewhere. 3.5 stars
A few classic Paul Simon tracks. Also a lot of boring ones. Mother And Child Reunion has got the jolly sunny Death In Paradise vibes. Great backing music to use whenever Camille rejoins the island with Catherine or if they get put in a dish together. Me & Julio Down In The School has got the Bert Kaempfert mad hits - starts off a little like Afrikaan Beat. Run That Body Down is also pretty relaxing and nice. Kinda prefer all of Bert Kaempfert’s A Swingin’ Safari to be on this list instead to be honest.
Good but not my favourite.
This is a listenable album, and it exhibits more musical versatility than expected, but nearly every song leaves me wishing Paul Simon would go deeper. I'm not sure he really wants to, truthfully. The exception for me is "Run That Body Down." While this is a simple song, I think it works on multiple levels. It's a parable. I'm writing this review as I'm listening to one of my next albums, "Aqualung" by Jethro Tull. Man, what a study in contrasts.
This album is like picking up an artist's journal. You flip through and can see and feel greatness, but there is something lost in translation. The music if fine, the lyrics are interesting and novel, but it all kind of feels half done... like good ideas half committed to. This is probably a result of having nothing to prove, but at the same time, all of this rises to the level of good but wanting something more or something better.
I just adore the way Paul Simon's albums record their guitars. Most of the songs are unremarkable though.
It was alright, but don't like it as much as S&G.
Ну это мой первый альбом на этом сайте с которого я начал собственно обогащать свою музыкальный вкус. Могу сказать что это типичный американский альбом который приятно слушать на фоне когда едешь в машине по лесу на своем пикапе или типа того. Но не та вещь которую захочешь постоянно переслушивать, но инструменты и вокал очень приятные. Больше всего мне понравилась песня Me and Julio Down by Schoolyard.
Maybe lacks the tenderness I expected, I feel it is worse for it. I think Simon's musical and vocal style lends itself better to a kind of music this album is sparsely populated by. Some nice tracks (Duncan, Mother and Child Reunion) but nothing I adore sadly.
3.5
Different listens
I absolutely love Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard. One of the most joyous little songs ever and I could listen (and have listened) to it on repeat for hours. The rest is nice and fine, but it ain't no Me and Julio.
Good to hear again having forgotten most songs apart from the singles. Even if you don't like Paul Simon's voice you have to admire Stephane Grappelli's contribution on Hobo's Blues which was the highlight for me.
What a lovely record - Paul Simon really is a fantastic songwriter. Obviously this album is just a taste of things to come. He is just dipping his toe into the world of cultural appropriation here (joking of course!) whilst still maintaining his folky style from the S&G days. Whilst as a standalone album it is good it does kinda just make me think…I wish I was listening to Graceland (or the excellent Rhythm Of The Saints which for some reason does not appear to be on this list!)
By no means my favourite Paul Simon, but still a really pleasant and solid record. The main problem I think is that Simon is basically showing off, making the case for a post-Garfunkel future by going through as many different genres as he can. I know he didn't exactly shy away from showing off throughout the rest of his career, but at least he slowed down enough to make more coherent records. It's good, but not his best.
Always pleasant. Masterful songwriting.
this is the best one so far, but i wouldnt play it after a long day
makes telling a story pretty interesting actually Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: maybe 3.1
It’s nice. Nothing that really blows me away though. Actually there are more than a few weird tracks on here that I could live without. Armistice Day is the stand out track for me - positively
I hear why people like it.
The first track on this album, Mother and Child reunion, was really interesting to me! It felt like it almost had reggae undertones to it. I haven’t had a good narrative track for a while, so Duncan was a nice surprise. It was serene, I enjoyed the flute part. Run that body down had a nice little rhythm to it. I liked the guitar too! Me and Julio down by the schoolyard was a bop! Hobos blues had some great music to it even though it was short. I loved Paranoia blues. Congratulations was a nice way to end the album. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 165/1089
Graceland is beter, maar toch genoten...
I like Paul Simon but this wasn't my favourite of his. Nonetheless, I enjoyed and would revisit
6/10
yap
Ammm, it's just... usual. I don't know, I can't get this kind of music
75
I don't understand why people like this
For the most part I really didn't care about anything in this album. It's all fine, but it all just sort of went by me. By the time it was done, there were only really two songs I noticed in any way: Me And Juilo Down By The Schoolyard, and Paranoia Blues. The rest is just there. It's fine.
good
I liked this album. It felt like it was filled with nothing and everything. The guitar feels nostalgic, like a commercial jingle from the early 2000s but the lyrics are heartfelt. His voice reminds me of banana dipped in honey. It's funny because I'm not the biggest fan of either of those foods but it's smooth and creates a mushy feeling inside. Overall I'd rate this album 7.5 out of 10. It's not bad but it's not something that stopped me in my tracks. I could listen to this on a drive down the PCH but I'd have to be alone. Its one of those albums that creates emotions, maybe, its because I'm already feeling down but the nostalgia it makes me feel like I've lost something and I don't know what it is.
a nice man singing nice songs.
This is good, but I don't think it's essential. "Me and Julio" obviously is, but the rest doesn't quite rise to that level for me. I get its significance int he Paul Simon story, but most of this wasn't what I consider his best.
3.4 I liked the hits and thought Duncan was pretty good too. Seems like a cooler album compared to some of the other S&G entires we have been getting
Uh... Skeptical ? I'm not familiar with Paul Simon's personal style, and even though the album is was overall a good experience, I don't know what to make of it...
It was ok
I like Paul Simon, and I like the way this album feels - it can be playful, and lighthearted, and breezy. It can also be expansive, and dark, and poignant. I found myself really enjoying the laidback feel right alongside the post-Watergate themes. "Armistice Day" went in a direction I wasn't expecting, which was fun. Also - I get the feeling that every white Baby Boomer who ever lived owned a copy of this thing. It's an important artifact for post-War America. But do I love it? Not really. THREE STARS
this didn't really make much of an impression on me. sorry paul and/or simon
A couple bops
This was nice and chilled but didn't have any of the highs of his later work or his collaborative work. Kind of fell between two stools for me.
*******
one great song, two good songs, the rest average and a bit sleepy for my liking
Paul Simon is always solid. There was nothing on this album that I absolutely loved, but it was pleasant and enjoyable the entire way through.
Pleasant enough but nothing here that really caught my attention.
I've only ever (knowingly) listened to Paul Simon as part of Simon and Garfunkel, and wasn't actually aware that either of them had solo careers. Oops. Firstly, great voice, and clearly a good songwriter. The songs here were all honestly good, and I enjoyed having the album on as background... but none of it really took my attention away from what I was doing. Maybe that's a good thing, but it just struck me that I really don't remember a single specific song from the whole album; I just remember a homogenous melancholy blob of good vocals and easy-listening backing. I think there was some flute at some point... 3.
It feels like he really wanted to show how good he is at every genre and then proceeded to do the most basic part of each genre. Yes that is a reggae beat good job, yes that's also a blues beat. something something 1000 punches once something something 1 punch 1000 times. His voice is good tho, very sad boy, very comfy low 3
Really nice folk music that I should probably listen to again, but it just didn’t grab me. It’s a good album, just one that wasn’t able to hold my attention.
I like Duncan
tailed off toward the end IMO
My first album listen on here and liked it! Not usually my vibe but reminded me of Neil Young who I like. Folksy, soft, and pretty! Not bad but not my favorite!
I could swear I'd listened to this before, but the only songs I recognized were Mother and Child Reunion and Me and Julio. A good album, but far from Paul Simon's best solo work. 3/5
Not really my style. Had some good tunes, but I think it could be better
7/10 Well, you know the guy from the S&G duo, as always, amazing songwriting. A very easy going and peaceful record. Almost transcendental. The flow is perfect. Album starts off with on a depressing note, about a mother contemplating suicide to reunite with her dead son, sung in an angelic voice as if hiding all that sadness. Then we get to my favourite track of the album, "Duncan", which blasts all that depression away with it's cheeky humorous tone (oh, and love the flute on this one). This mixture of light and dark, funny and serious is part of what makes this LP work so well. Well, not gonna be dissecting every track of this album as only some tracks truly stuck with me. There are no real duds on this one - that sweet, peaceful, angelic tone is present throughout the album, it's just me not being able to connect with a sizable chunk, especially slide 2 which was definitely weaker than the first. Still, a great album and a great listening experience.
Sounds like an early morning in a small-town cafe where you get to eat home-made waffles and drink freshly brewed coffee and get to talk to the friendly cafe owner. Feels like sunshine on your face, laughing in your ear, and the smell of coffee in your nose. Also this is the Simon from Simon & Garfunkel. I did not know this before, always thought that these were their first names :D
This album successfully shows that Simon can make music that is relatively un-fussed over, rough around the edges and less whitebread that his previous work often was, but the songs often feel unfinished and the record ends up feeling like a sampler.
Rätt så tråkigt album. Lugnande. Helt okej instrumentalt. Sång helt okej. Låttexterna förglömliga. Kanske kunnat lyssna igen. Kan tänka mig att den blir bättre med fler lyssningar. 3/5
I love me some Paul Simon. This wasn't it for me. Still, some great tunes and hits! 6/10
Some pretty good songs, some flops.
I love Paul Simon but I don't love this album. It's good but not great. Probably like a 3.5
fine
One of those big names I respect more than I enjoy listening to. There were moments I really liked, but I didn’t always find the experimentation was done in that interesting a way. I’ve always found the Simon aesthetic a bit too clean and jaunty and his vocals a bit too thin to really grab me.
Few cool songs (especially the last one), not my genre, gets repetitive after some time? Maybe
These 60s/70s singer songwriter songs don't do much for me. I found it pleasant, and even enjoyed the hobo blues. But nothing really stood out.
I really like Duncan. It feels like a really sweet movie that you most likely won’t remember watching until that one day it comes back for one moment.
As cutesy poo aw shucks as a lot of Simon's post Simon and Garfunkel output is, and as much of a voracious cultural appropriator as he is, there is no denying his songwriting nouce. Not sure I'd classify it as essential, but it's hard to hate.
Mr Simon makes considered albums. There’s not usually a great distance between the strongest and weakest tracks on his records. I feel this one comes closest to the single-filler-filler-filler-single model: the model of lesser entertainers, of cheap showmen, of people who cannot edit their own work. The model of cowards who refuse to face the truth.
My Rating 3.4 Interesting start to a long successful solo career.
Beautiful, not the most loved from him by me, but beautiful
Love this guy's voice, but it's even better with his friend.
Really enjoyed Me and Julio Down at the Schoolyard, but the rest didn't really leave an impression on me. And I think that one mostly did because of the Muppets movie where it is used, so I've listened to it a bunch. It was very nice though.
Favorite songs: Mother and Child Reunion,Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Hobo’s Blues, Paranoia Blues
nice n chill goodstuffs
Favorite song: Mother and Child Reunion feels very heavenly in terms of instrumentals, and Paul Simon's lyrics are usually dead-on in terms of musically relevant as well as tolerable. Flute is always a big plus when it comes to folk music and genres adjacent to it.
excepcionalmente cotidiano (in a good way) y super lleno de un sonido folk y blues súper nostálgico. me encantó
It’s pleasant, but not super interesting
Pleasant. Better than I thought it would be.
It's a Paul Simon album. It's good, a few hits, very americana. Kinda miss Art a bit, but whatever. Tenenbaums was great with the song in it and Bob Dylan stinks.
GENRE: acoustique, vibe un peu country ou roadtrip, folk Chansons coups de coeur: Duncan, Peace Like a River, Paranoia Blues (unreleased version) Side notes: Dans la chanson Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, il raconte qu'il «explorait sa sexualité» avec Julio et que ses parents étaient outrés. Cool solo de violon -> Hobo's Blues
Brooklyn Bob Dylan.
Pleasant. Not too exciting.
the first song felt like a beach day, the next one more kinda like a late summer almost attumn vibe. it's a bit of folk music, i quiete like it. its very soft and peacefull. its a nice album, wouldnt be my first option. but cool to know this excist, yeah was worth a listen!!! 6/10
I was a bit disappointed
Not his best, but solid.
I do like me some Paul Simon; my parents had a few of his albums so they are childhood listening to me. Not heard this album before, in fact the only song I was familiar with was Me and Julio. Some really great songs on here. Trying to separate out whether lack of familiarity meant it didn't do it for me or if it's not the same calibre as some of his other works.
This was pleasant, but not super interesting to me. Good background music.
nuclear bomb (mother and child reunion + me and julio) vs. coughing baby (the rest of the album)
Like it.
Great, he's got some really fun stuff here
As I listened to this album I started a new embroidery project. With the first song I felt like this was not going to be my type of music but I decided to still listen to every song all the way through because I wasn’t in a rush so no skipping! I ended up enjoying the lyricism so much. A few times I just thought “wow we can fr just say whatever we want in music lol there’s no rules”. I also enjoyed the coziness of the songs even though I didn’t particularly enjoy the sound. Also a part of me wonders if Mac Demarco may have drawn some inspiration from Paul Simon? Anyways, the only song I saved from the album is “Everything Put Together Falls Apart”. That song was really reassuring and peaceful and introspective. I didn’t like the actually sound of the album but I can really appreciate it anyway so I’m giving it 3 stars!
Nothing really stands out here — it’s just Paul Simon doing what he does. The songwriting is consistently solid, but it all feels a bit too familiar to leave much of an impression. It’s an easy listen and well crafted, just not particularly memorable.
I'd say there's some bright moments of his later songwriting and storybuilding skill in here, but overall it's a bit muted and.. overly cutesy? It's not bad though.
Paul Simon's music is just way too polished and sappy for my tastes. Nothing against him, just not my thing. The first track in particular is so damn twee that I barely powered through it. A couple of other tracks are great, at least. I somehow managed to go through life without listening to *Graceland* yet, though, so maybe my opinion will change with that album. Favourite track: Peace Like a River
razy to thunk i enjoy this but hill ash 7.1/10
Nada más, muy tranquilo el álbum. 6/10
Quite good, has its mood.
This album sounds like what I imagined 70% of this project will sound like when I started it
Actually pretty solid listen. Very reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Nothing I’d add to a playlist, but cohesive and easy to listen to. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not as bad as all that, I still sooner prefer him and Garfunkel together over this and as much as I do enjoy Mother and Child Reunion it is the whitest piece of reggae adjacency I’ve ever heard.
Meh
where tf is garfunkel
Bob dylan't
Mac Demarco before Mac Demarco
Hey, this is my first of 1001 albums, its Paul Simon, who I do like, so a high average seems about right
Cover is sick, vocal reminds me of reggae a bit, but I really like it and the vibrato. Duncan has this really sparkly guitar, reminds me heavily of nick drake. Also love how alot of older albums have story telling in alot of its songs, kinda gives you something to stay listening for i guess. Run that body down as this cool qucik guitar part me like. damn i love a harmonica in paranoia blues. I finished it and loved it, such an underrated folk album
Mother and Child Reunion cool bold drumming but nothing special Duncan nice and warm bittersweet instrumental at the end leaves time to ponder EPTFA the lyrics made me a little sad but he is right Run That Body Down reminds me a bit of Vienna by Billy Joel also cool guitar solo Armistice Day he’s tired of all the fighting and I feel that Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard I don’t know where I’m going either Masayoshi sound at the end Peace Like A River I feel like the music would serve the lyrics better if it was a little more melancholic maybe no drums and a lower tone Papa Hobo I hate Detroit and had no idea Gatorade existed back then Hobo’s Blues sounds like something off the Fallout radio would drink moonshine to this Paranoia Blues exactly how I feel about New York and America Congratulations no I don’t think so but maybe that’s a good thing
Nice rythm ,but I like more his other albums
Some songs I really liked, but the album overall wasn't my favorite
That was a nice folk rock album. Even though this is not a genre I really associate with much, it was a pleasant venture. It carried out its vision consistently, and although it got repetitive at times, it had some enjoyable highs. The guitar work was pretty good, and the lyrics also had their moments to shine. My favorite songs were “Duncan” and “Run That Body Down.”
A solid slab of 70’s folk.
Not exactly my jam but good nonetheless. Bro goes CRAZY on that guitar. Favorites: Hobo's Blues and Paranoia Blues
mother and child reunion is my favourite paul simon song
Listened to this 3 times and sadly nothing really landed with me other than Me & Julio which I love and already knew very well. Its an eclectic mix combining a range of styles (some more successful than others) which for me felt in the most part a little sterile. Not sure what I am missing here.
3.5
Buen funk
3.5
A really slow start with unmemorable songs, it started picking up for me at Armistice Day which has some great guitar work. Me and Julio is a great track and the album seems to keep that momentem for the most part to close out. There are definitely some songs to revisit but as a whole I wasn't huge on it.
It sounds exactly like a Paul Simon record, so I think he nailed the title.
Me gusto como primer album, estilo country de los 70s. Tranquilo y compañero de fondo. Lo escucharia una vez mas pero en la ruta/vacaciones en montaña. Pd: Muy buena la portada, sencilla pero acompaña a la musica. Top 3: 1. Mother and Child Reunion 2. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard 3. Duncan Mencion especial: Run that Body Down No lo conocia
It fine. It’s folk rock, and its laid back variety, so not my thing; however, I didn’t really hate anything about this album. It has some catchy parts, but ultimately it’s too minimal and uneventful for my taste.
6/10 pretty decent but not something id listen to on a regular basis. would be a good album for a road trip in American countrysides.
Sweet
Some pretty memorable and nice folk songs with a few not as memorable songs. I'm not crazy about some of the more bluesy songs but they're fine. Probably a 60/100 overall but I really like the folky songs he does so that might bump it to like a 68~70/100. Unreleased version of Paranoia Blues is better than the real one tbh.
wasn't sure about it at first, but after a few songs i got into the album. i think it is good and has some good tracks, but definitely not an always listen. i think i would have to be in the mood in order to listen again. high 60s mid to low 70s, 3.4 / 5
59# Oh sim, o paulo simão bro even taps into reggae on 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard' my guy in the middle of 'Everything Put Together Falls Apart' stops a bit to scratch his beard and continues like nothing happened. What a guy, absolute cine.. music. 'Run That Body Down' saved it from what i was thinking would be a boring album 'Armistice Day' that guitar playing goes kinda hard. 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard' oye como va RUliô? MPB sounds and all, this is so fun. 'Peace Like a River' whatever, too peaceful. 'Papa Hobo' oooh so sillyyy look at me, silly boy. 'Paranoia Blues' oh now i'm silly and paranoid, quirky me huehue. But it is a cool concept really. OH NO THEY STOLE HIS CHINESE CHIMICHURRAS Today i felt like making little comments for each track, i'm autistic like that.
The 2nd Paul Simon after Hearts and Bones in the same week. This one definitely hits better with a more traditional S&G sound.
Paul cooks.
Some nice songs, an easy listen but nothing special. Enjoyed it nonetheless, favourite tracks were Duncan, Run Your Body Down and Me & Julio.
Couple of songs on here - Mother and Child Reunion and Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard are great. The rest just don't break through like those two do. It's his first album after breaking up with Garfunkel, so he's finding his new solo sound maybe? It's a Sunday morning kind of album. Slow, easy going.
Very good album, to my liking. I love that combination of folk, rock and Latin sounds. It has a very calm vibe but with a rhythm that makes me want to move and sing. From what I read, each of the songs has a lot of meaning. I don't have much to say about the album, but I liked it.
I feel like I can tell he was a nice guy. His music is alright.
The first few on here were decent, but then I started falling asleep.
Wouldn't mind having this in the background while wondering through a hiking trail in a depressive episode
Fav track: Paranoia Blues
Not a bad album, but not as great as his other work. I knew "Me and Julio" and that's a great song. I also grew to like Dunan and the intro track Mother and Child Reunion. The songs are mostly little "portraits" of characters. The style is mostly folk, but with occasional splashes of other styles like blues or those Andean pan flutes used in El Condor Pasa.
Like Bob Dylan, I feel like Paul Simon is able to crank out folk rock classics that deserve their place on Best Song lists but... also like Dylan, Simon is capable of making half-baked free-verse ramblefests that probably didn't need to be commited to vinyl. I feel like we are getting equal doses of both those Simons here.
Very dub adjacent. Finger picking master
Muy adelantado a su época
Honestly just a kind of boring album. It feels like Paul Simon is trying to do new things musically, but is a little too scared to adapt his songwriting to something new, so everything feels a little flat. I think he’d go a lot farther with everything if the whole album was like Mother and Child Reunion. The lyricism is probably the best part, although it can be a little pointlessly self deprecating at times. His guitar playing is also really nice on the more traditional folky songs. Even with all of the experimentation, it ends up being just a kind of bland record. Paul Simon pronounces his ds really weirdly. Favorite songs: Mother and Child Reunion, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Peace Like a River
Chill album, I felt very neutral toward it overall
Hearing it in 2026 make it sound very old not my cup of tea
Mellow
Was not familiar with this artist, the album is strong themed and very Herman
I can respect it just not really my cup of tea. Sounds decent and I understand why people like the album. Kinda sounds like smthing Shaggy Rodgers would listen to.
this website has been giving me a lot of Paul Simon lately and i'm not complaining! first time listening to one of his solo album's, and it has that same nostalgia of Simon & Garfunkel's music that makes you miss your childhood summers. i guess what i'm mostly missing from this though is Garfunkel's harmonies...? so i think i prefer the duo. but Simon will always be a wonderful writer, solo or not. favorite track: Peace Like a River. the guitar and steady drumming in this particular song really stuck to me
Definitivt en Paul Simon-platta. Bästa låtarna: Duncan, Congratulations och Me And Julio Down By the Schoolyard
reminded me of songs like Brandy and Dancing in the Moonlight. This is the other side of 70s music i vibe with, the other being disco.
Not bad overall. Has some good songs but better with Garfunkel
Its ok
The album had two high water marks, “Mother and Child Reunion” and “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”. Otherwise it was VERY heavy with early 70’s singer/songwriter with a guitar blah.
Not his greatest, but certainly shows signs of the great things that are yet to come
Simon hold the Garfunkel. Sandwich is pretty plain without all the toppings
Album #90 Paul Simon: Paul Simon Who knew the short guy from Annie Hall could actually make good music? Paul Simon is, of course, one of the great American songwriters and was widely influential in bridging cultural gaps in music, specifically by bringing African music to the West through Graceland. I had never listened to any other solo project of his; however, despite being a pretty big fan of his work with Garfunkel, I’ve never felt too compelled to listen to most of his solo stuff. Though I enjoy Graceland, I would hardly hold it as a personal favourite, and I sort of find myself feeling that something is missing from Simon’s solo work. This album is another good example of that; overall, it was enjoyable with lots of good writing and melodies; however, some of these songs just felt a bit empty. The opener is great, and probably my favourite track here, because it has a complete sound with a lot going one; whereas the rest of the tracks feel a little bare bone. Perhaps I can listen to Simon’s voice without yearning for a bit of those magical Garfunkel harmonies. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard is a classic and the only song here that I had heard previously, but the rest I would chalk up to “good, but not essential”. Still a very good effort from Simon, and an album I enjoyed a great deal, I suppose I just don’t enjoy how some talk about Paul Simon like he was the all-talented one and that Garfunkel was some schmuck. Yes, Paul had the far more interesting solo career, but it’s not like he was putting out classics at the rate of a Bob Dylan (which I’ve actually seen comparisons to before. I don’t know why this review has had me defending Garfunkel against invisible haters, but I just wish they made more albums together; I like my Paul Simon music like I like my museums, with a healthy amount of Art. Best Songs: Mother and Child Reunion, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Duncan Worst Song: Paranoia Blues Score out of 10: 7
This is fine but didnt wow me as an undiscovered gem I'd missed out on for decades.
I knew a few of the songs, but didn't love any enough to add to a playlist.
Folky music with a touch of world and you get Paul Simon. Not bad but I have heard it before
not bad but other than Me and Julio not much stood out. Where's Art? Paul! Huhh Where's Art?!?!?
Cool, but it was better when he was African for a bit
Overly cutesy compared to his best work
Auggie and I listened to this album while I pinned my first ever insects! They were bees. :)
My first encounter with Simon and/or Garfunkel in this experience. It was enjoyable for the most part, even with the interesting choice to lead the album off with a reggae tune (but then again after listening to it I don't know where else you could have put it in the track list. I did enjoy the cool mix of styles Simon brings on this album and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" still slaps. However, the album did not do much to move the needle above a 3 for me. I have a hunch this won't be the only album featuring Mr. Simon I will hear during this journey and I am curious to see how the other albums compare.
Me gusto la voz de el y la presencia y sonido de la guitarra acustica en todo el discco. Canciones muy tranquilas y lindas melodias.
I like some of Paul Simons stuff, but can take or leave most of it. There are some good songs on this, Me and Julio down by the school yard is instantly recognisable. Other than a couple of tracks, nothing much stands out for me. 3 stars because I recognise his ability, but not something I'm likely to listen to again.
J’aime bien la voix et les chœurs Un peu trop calme quand même..
Quelques pistes sympa !