New York Voices - New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

One of the best

Coloratura | USA | 01/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to a few (note: very few) of the previous "reviewers" claims that this album seems poorly recorded, or that (horrors!) the talent level of NYV is sub-par, you can be assured that this album (like all of their others) sounds fabulous. True, they do not simply copy the song stylings of Paul Simon; if you want to hear lifeless "covers" turn on American Idol. The arrangements are tight: they turn the up-tempo "Cecelia" into a 6/8 ballad with counterpoint to die for, and "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" is at once laidback and edgy. The harmonies are true and are not a result of the phony "filter and processing" that so many lesser talented artists subject on their listeners. In short, if you want Paul Simon: buy Paul Simon; if you want great arrangments of Paul Simon: try this album."

Fresh interpretations of Paul Simon's music.

Thomas J. Kephart | Marine City, Michigan | 10/02/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The New York Voices have blended their vocal style with the timeless music of Paul Simon. This is not a note for note copy of the original Paul Simon or Simon and Garfunkel tunes, but a jazzy updating of them. I especially like the Voices' latin reworking of "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard," the lush "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright," and the humor of "Why Don't You Write Me?" All in all, a worthwhile purchase for people who appreciate the magic of the voice as a musical instrument."

The Best of Post-Tin Pan Alley

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 01/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A criticism sometimes levelled at jazz singers is that they concentrate so much on re-creating Tin Pan Alley that they forget about the "second golden age" of popular music, or the era of roughly 1964-1975 (i.e., from Beatles to disco). A valid criticism; but the Voices answer it with a vengeance here. At times, this album out-Simons Simon. Listen to how the Voices cover "Loves Me Like a Rock", "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard", "Why Don't You Write Me," or the shimmering set-ender, an octet of the Voices and string quartet's "Old Friends/Bookends." In each case, they improve on the original. (I wouldn't say that about some of the others, such as "Cecelia," "Baby Driver," or "Punky's Dilemma," but the fact that they can improve on anything from this '60's icon is a semi-miracle.) Highly, highly recommended--especially for those not stuck in "the first golden age" of pop."

A must-have for vocal jazz enthusiasts

amydoc2 | Charlotte, NC | 01/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first introduced to New York Voices in college and I have been hooked ever since. If you love vocal jazz, great harmonies, and inspiring arrangements, this is the cd for you. Always innovative and never boring, NYV Sings the Songs of Paul Simon will leave you speechless. Mother and Child Reunion, and St. Judy's Comet are my favorites, but you can't go wrong with any of these songs.If you like tribute albums that just sound like the original, but with a different singer, this is not the cd for you."

A Must Have!!!

F. S. Wood | Portland, ME USA | 02/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has not come out of my player yet since it was released. I am a huge Paul Simon fan and a long time NYV fan also. The harmonies, as always, are perfect and they did justice to all those wonderful songs. (Mother and Child Reunion a personal favorite.) I've bought this CD for 10 of my best friends and they all loved it too. Something you can play over and over and never retire."

Search - New York Voices :: New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon

CD Details

Similarly Requested CDs

Member CD Reviews

CD Reviews