Customer Reviews

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'

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4 star:		(6)
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Just an FYI: Of the four Paul Simon 2011 remastered versions that dropped today, this is the ONLY one that is a 2011 remaster. The rest are reissues of the 2004 remasters. Five star CD, of course. This remaster sounds great and there are two new songs.

I bought this album in LP form back in 1975, and dug it out and listened to it today for probably the first time in 20 years. Although the record hasn't held up well, the music still astounds with its freshness and originality. Paul's collaboration here with the Incan group Urubamba shows he was playing "World Music" decades before it became the cool thing to do. His songs with the Jessy Dixon group similarly show him pioneering so-called "American Roots". And when he takes the stage alone with just his guitar, his presence and musicianship are breathtaking. "American Tune", written on the wreckage of Watergate, takes on a shattering new meaning in the wake of September 11th. I am amazed at how prescient these songs are. He recorded this album live in 1974, and by some strange trick of imagination and talent, the songs are still live and rhymin' today.

This is vintage 1970's folk-rock. Paul is accompanied on a couple of the cuts by an South American Indian band on hand-made pipes. They lend a distinctive touch to El Condor Pasa, and Lincoln Duncan. Paul also does a couple of gospel songs accompanied by a choir, this too comes off very well. The quality of the recording is excellent, although his narrative between the songs is sometimes a little faint. There is that "real life" feel you get from a live recording, but the quality is so good, you forget everything but the music once the songs begin.

I have always found this album an inspiration and a true delight, which moves me every time (after hundreds and hundreds of times) I hear it. The additional words to The Boxer, and the instrumental finale, are things that have literally pulled me through some dreadful nights in my life ("after changes upon changes we are more or less the same"). Thank you Paul. I literally love this album. Amyone who has not heard it, please please spend an evening with it. You will not be sorry.

This has got be be one of the single most underappreciated albums ever. It's paul simon at the peak of his pre-Graceland success, and he never sounded better. The live album (from 1975) is split between paul simon singing his classic tunes with just his acoustic guitar (beautiful renditions of "America" and "Me and Julio) and other tunes done with either the South American pipes band "Urubamba," or the Jesse Dixon's gospel choir on backing vocals. You can begin to see the roots of Paul Simon's 1980s world music period in this album. And this album is particularly noteworthy because many classic songs such as "Duncan" and "The Boxer" sound even better and unique when redone with pipes in the background.
On a side note, there are two disappointing things on this album (although neither has to do with the songs or musicianship, which are flawless). First, there are virtually no liner notes that accompany this album. Photos, an essay, or even info about where the concert was recorded would be nice. And secondly, for whatever reason, Paul Simon seems rather unpersonable with the crowd. At one point near the end of the show, a fan even shouts out "Say a few words," because Paul has not said one thing to the crowd yet (other than introducing the backup band). A simple "It's nice to be here," or "This song was written when..." would have been nice. Oh well.

Live Rhymin' is a very good live record from Paul Simon. He perfectly mixes songs from his first two solo album with songs from his Simon & Garfunkel days. The songs are done in mostly the folk-rock vein, but he does sprinkle in some nice instrumentation on the sweeping "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" and the touching "Duncan" as well as gospel singers on "Love Me Like A Rock" & "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The latter song is quite interesting to hear as the original is a showcase for Art Garfunkel, but Mr. Simon's interpretation is strong. Other strong songs include "The Boxer", "America", "Mother & Child Reunion" & "American Tune".

A quietly introspective live album featuring some of Simon's early solo hits, interspersed with Simon and Garfunkel songs, usually reworked with one of the guest side groups. The versions of "Me and Julio"and "American Tune" are very powerful, with Simon's voice and acoustic guitar highlighting the pop quality of the first song, and the moody world-weary lyrics of the poignant second one. Sometimes it is successful, particularly when the Incan group Urubamba joins him for "El Condor Pasa", "Duncan", and "Boxer". His songs with the Jessy Dixon group are not as consistent. "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Loves Me Like A Rock" are enhanced by the gospel-tinged accompaniment, but I find them distracting presences in "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and "Sounds of Silence". Ultimately, Live Rhymin'
is a thoughtful presentation of some of Paul Simon's most well-known and powerful songs.

Paul Simon takes you on a musical journey through his S&G perenials, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Sounds Of Silence, Homeward Bound and America. As breathtakingly beautiful as Art Garfunkle's harmonies are, never once did I take notice of their absence. The solo material, Mother And Child Reunion, Loves Me Like A Rock, Duncan, American Tune and Me And Juilio all sound fresh vibrant and infinitly appealing. Most of all Simon has the artistic good sense of not trying to cookie-cut the sound of the orginally recordings, nor does he go out of his way to reinvent and rearrange them. The only exceptions being the beautiful vocal accompaniment and choral arrangement on Sounds Of Silence and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

As perhaps one of the greatest living American songwriters, (Dylan and Willie Nelson readily come to mind) Simon always delivers the goods. His studio albums have consistently been chuck full of wonderfully crafted, orginal and introspective compositions. This album offers the listener the delightful experience of hearing him at his playful and whimsical best.

I have always loved Paul Simon's and friends'live rendition of some of his classics on this album. He's really "on" and the way he performs An American Tune is really great. I have the old tape of this album and will buy the CD because it has always been one of my favorites. Only Paul Simon can get away with mixing Peruvian natives and African American Gospel singers with his folky music and turn out something wonderful.

What can I say? I am a huge Paul Simon fan. This is a must have along with any live concert albums that he has done. You can almost feel the audience's enthusiasm for some of the tracks. This CD has all the greats on it including Homeward Bound, The Boxer, America, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Paul's guitar and voice are flawless. If you weren't able to get a ticket to this year's Simon / Garfunkel reunion then you can have the second best thing here. Perfect for a Friday night at home with a fire and a nice bottle of wine. BUY IT!