Search - Paul Simon :: Negotiations & Love Songs

Wow, I'm surprised nobody here really 'got' it

bigboote66 | Cambridge, MA United States | 09/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many people have wondered here at the strange selection of the songs on this album. I've listened to it for years and always thought the theme was obvious: Simon has put together a little biography of his life, from songs written at the time. From his childhood through his years w/Garfunkle, joys of fatherhood and the arc of his relationship/marriage/divorce with Carrie Fischer, it's all here in a tidy little package. The chronicle mostly concentrates on his Fischer years; I'm not sure why he finishes up with Diamonds & Al, other than the fact that they were hits around the time the album was released and served to give it a little momentum in the stores.Back in those days, Simon was incapable of writing a bad song. You can't go wrong buying this one, but don't treat it as a greatest hits CD -- accept it as a little story of Simon's life, which is what his songs have always been about anyway."

Terririfc Retrospective Of Paul Simon's Solo Career

Barron Laycock | Temple, New Hampshire United States | 04/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"No one cut quite so high or bright an arc in American pop music during the late sixties and early seventies as did Paul Simon. Whether alone as in his later career or with long-time collaborator Art Garfunkel, he consistently surprised, delighted and edified his audiences with thoughtful, memorable, and amazingly durable songs and melodies that one still finds himself humming late into the night. While Paul has been uncharacteristically quiet as of late, no one will ever deny his lasting appeal or his talent as both a singer and as a songwriter. What we have hear, then, is a selective compilation of his solo work, ranging from the haunting "Mother and Child Reunion" to the comical but lyrical "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard", from "Something So Right" to "Kodachrome", and from "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" to "Still Crazy After All These Years". All of these songs, as well as the many others included here, are all intelligent, sophisticated, and fun to listen to. While few have the power or meaning of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or "The Boxer", they are all still memorable and evocative, proof positive that Paul Simon can stand alongside anyone, including Bob Dylan, in terms of depth of talent and extent of success. This is a wonderful retrospective of Paul Simon's solo work. Enjoy!"

Diverse Collection

Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 08/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An interesting collection from 1988 that is a combination of some of Paul Simon's greatest hits with some lesser known gems. One such gem is "Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War," which combines a bit of folk and is wonderful song that I am unable to recall having previously heard.



Of course there are quite a number of songs for which Paul Simon is famous, ranging from early hits "Mother and Child Reunion" to later hits such as "You Can Call Me Al." While this collection is not truly a greatest hits, it certainly seems to come close to one.



Paul Simon has had a fascination with rhythmic music, perhaps epitomized by his much lauded "Graceland" album, which was both a critical and commercial success. That rhythm is well-evidenced by the selections chosen for this collection. Of course Paul Simon is much more than "Graceland" and more than just fascinated with rhythm as he has consistently created magical and beautiful music throughout his solo career.



This CD is an eclectic collection of some of Paul's more enduring and artistically created music. Worth having even in comprehensive collections."