Friday 6th January
It was 1970 and Simon and Garfunkel had a number one album in America and here with Bridge Over Trouble Water. The Beatles were breaking up, the Stones seemed in some disarray and Paul and Artie were unassailable. Except – what do you for an encore? And anyway Paul was getting fed up with Artie’s acting career, which was taking him away from the recording studio, Paul’s favourite place. So Paul decided to go it alone. He had always had a brilliant voice; but a bit more caustic, a bit more rounded than Arties immaculate sweet high notes. In fact Paul had already released his own album in the early Sixties ‘The Paul Simon Songbook’, which nobody bought (which is a pity because it is really good; Paul sings simple almost demo versions of songs which would later be recorded by S. & G. on their albums – sometimes I almost prefer these early efforts of Pauls) and he then returned to America (he had been touring for a couple of years unsuccessfully in England) and recorded with Artie.
The first we all knew of the split was when the album ‘Paul Simon’ arrived. And it was brilliant and yet very different, more upbeat and varied, and with two hit singles ‘Mother and Child Reunion’ and ‘Me and Julio’ but the best song was Duncan; there was even an instrumental with jazz violinist Stefan Grapelli. Paul quickly followed this up with the equally wonderful ‘ There Goes Rhymin Simon’ (the title a dig at his critics). This had the fabulous New Orleans tribute ‘Mardi Gras, and every song is a classic, especially ‘St.Judy’s Comet’ and ‘American Tune’. In many ways this album is as good as Bridge over Troubled Waters, and there are even a couple of gospel/soul classics ‘One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor’ and ‘Loves Me Like A Rock.’ His third album was excellent too, but somehow lacked something, though Paul’s singing has never been bettered; ‘Still Crazy After All These Years’ the title track is sad and swooping and one of his best ballads. The big hit was ’50 Ways to leave Your Lover’ There is an up-tempo duet with Artie ‘My Little Town’ and my favourite song ‘I do it for your love.’
Paul then wrote and starred in and wrote the songs for a film ‘One Trick Pony’. I never saw the film but the soundtrack is pretty good – but it bombed. Then came Hearts and Bones, which is sometimes my favourite Paul Simon album of all – this was the one originally recorded with Artie and then Paul wiped his vocals and sung the record himself. I love the title track and Train in the Distance’ and the tribute to John Lennon ‘The Late Great Johnny Ace’
Many people say that Paul was very selfish and nasty, especially to Garfunkel. Who cares – the music was wonderful; and always will be. And Paul’s reputation would take another knock with his greatest record…Graceland.
