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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive Collection, June 28, 2007
Maybe the Essential Paul Simon Collection should hve been titled, The Definitive Paul Simon since it is the most definitive collection of all his single and double C.D. collections. All previous collections either completely omit the songs, Duncan and American Tune (both radio hits) or else substitute them for live versions. In fact, this collection presents these two songs (and all others) in their original, album-length, studio versions. Also included here are the minor hits, Gone At Last (with Phoebe Snow) and Stranded In A Limosine, both largely ignored songs on other P.S. compilations. It is interesting that one of the P.S. "fan favorites." Take Me To The Mardi Gras, was released as a U.K. single, simultaneously with the U.S. single, Kodachrome. Both became top ten hits in their respective countries. It is nice to see all the single A-sides from the seventies included here.
One caveat is that Paul Simon songs from the early eighties are sparsely represented here. Only one of the three singles from One Trick Pony is represented (Late In The Evening, of course). And strangely, NO singles from the 1983 album, Hearts And Bones were included, despite the fact that Allergies was a moderate, radio hit. Hearts And Bones was originally intended to be a Simon and Garfunkel reunion album but that conception of the album never materialized. However, three key tracks from H & B are included: Train In A Distance (one of my favorite P.S. songs and is still played in malls across America), the title track (another favorite) and The Late Great Johnny Ace (a tribute to rock and roll legends with a coda performed by Philip Glass). There was ample room on disc one to have included another song, perhaps One Trick Pony, Think Too Much (b) or Rene and Georgette Magritte....
On the other hand, songs from the albums Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints are well represented in the collection. And of course, it was the Graceland album that drew attention to the African musical group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (their Shaka Zulu album is very fine, especially if you like Graceland).
Paul Simon's diverse, musical influences are very apparent in the song selections. These musical styles range from reggae (Mother And Child Reunion),to Gospel ( Loves Me Like A Rock), to Latin-American (Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and Late In The Evening), to zydeco (That Was Your Mother) to South African (Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes), ro rockabilly (Graceland). Even with all his diversity of musical styles, my preference leans toward his pop ballads, especially from the seventies and early eighties.
While the sound quality of this C.D. is not crisp in its detail, it does have a warm, clean and natural sound. This C.D. was released in celebration of Paul Simon's acceptance of the First-ever Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, from the Library of Congress. I highly recommend this collection!
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al, June 25, 2007
WIth the past few years, we really haven't seen much in the way of great sales from older acts like Elton John, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne. Although they've made great albums, people would rather seem more interested in acts that are more about hype like Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Usher, and the sleezy socialite who really has no career, Paris Hilton. That hasn't left much in the way of great performers like Paul Simon. Spanning nearly 6 decades of great music, Paul's music is more meaningful, and still remains straight from the heart. Recently, he celebrated his 35th anniversary as a solo act, and won the honorable 1st ever Gershwin Prize for Song for his melodic style, we are often forgetful about his real talent of songwriting and craftsmanship, and this hits record shows that trail well.
The 2007 Essential Paul Simon, is a double album that expands very well from his previous single disc album On My Way, and brilliantly shows his era as one of the best songwriters of our times. The collection includes tracks from his first hits from the 1970's, all the way to his recent record, Surprise. The songs in the collection are remastered very well, and reflect on his career nicely. The album includes great classics including Me & Julio Down By The School Yard, his guilty pleasure gem You Can Call Me Al, the driven-styled Graceland, Slip Slidin' Away, as well as recent tunes like Outrageous, and his Oscar-nominated surprise hit Father And Daughter from the 2004 animated Nickelodeon film The Wild Thornberries Movie. The collection really does feel like a walk down memory lane, and reminds people of true songwriting that isn't about looks or selling yourself out in endorsements, it is about heart.
Although the album doesn't at all reflect on any memories as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, it is all about Paul and his solo efforts on this album, and it works very nicely. If you haven't heard any of his albums like Graceland, or Still Crazy After All These Years, you missed a really wonderful era of great music. The Essential Paul Simon is a must buy for nostalgia buffs, and new listeners alike to Paul Simon's genius. I absolutely recommend this greatest hits album as it is one of the best records released this year.
Album Cover: B
Songs: B+
Price: B 1/2-
Remastering: A-
Overall: B 1/2+
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nearly flawless, June 26, 2007
The Essential Paul Simon contains nearly every Paul Simon track you could ever want, but it does omit the minor hits "Allergies" and "(What A) Wonderful World". This is truly a fitting collection to one of popular music's greatest songwriters.
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