I am such a Paul Simon fan. I even liked his movie One Trick Pony. It was charming and warm. It said a lot.
Plnnr , you don’t see many folks mentioning Rene and Georgette Magritte… as their favorite Simon song. Haunting .
And by the by, does anyone remember Duncan ? My other favorite…
Yeah, I was afraid that might happen. Really should have been more specific. Though I have to say, the Senator’s harmonies just don’t affect me the same way… 
** Bindlestiff ** - you’re so right about the rhythms. And he seems to be able to do it with almost any style you throw at him - Rock, Folk, South African, Peruvian,. the list goes on… The man is versatile.
Paul Simon rocks. My favourites:
- Sound of silence
- Homeless
- Kathy’s song
- For Emily (whenever I may find her)
- Scarborough fair
- Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
- American tune
- Under African skies
- America
- The boxer
My sister and I became fans because of our dad, who was a huge fan of his work. I’ve loved most everything up to the last solo album, and The Capeman made me cringe. Late In the Evening, The Boxer, 50 Ways…, Something So Right, Boy In the Bubble, Graceland, The Obvious Child are all favorites
Goofy moment: My sister and I singing along to “Homeless” (badly) one night, when her date arrived to pick her up and walked in on us. Just couldn’t explain to him why we loved the song so much.
I am probably the only Simon fan who hates Simon & Garfunkel. His solo songs are much more musically and emotionally complex than anything he ever did with Art. My favorites are his first solo album with Duncan getting a special mention. Lyrically it is the best story song I’ve heard. I am also a huge fan of Rhythm of the Saints and consider that album his greatest musical accomplishment.
As an aside I don’t know him, but I’ve sat one row behind him at Yankees games a couple of times. My stepfather has season tickets there one row back from his season tickets. I’m a Red Sox fan for the record as I’d hate for anyone to confuse my allegiances.
Did he write “Scarborough Fair”? I thought it was a traditional.
Several years ago (when Sen. Simon was running for president) there was a great SNL bit when musician Simon was hosting; Sen. Simon walked on stage and said he thought he was supposed to do the musical number. Then they related stories about getting booked at the wrong events (musician Simon told about how he was wary when he learned he’d have to give a speech about Medicare at a senior center, but he managed to pull it off, etc.)
Also in that episode was the bit where Simon (the musician) could remember everyone he’d ever met in his life, even for just 30 seconds, but then Artie walked up and Paul didn’t recognize him.
–Cliffy
Funny I should see this thread today. As I was coming from the parking lot to the office, I had “A Most Peculiar Man” and “Somewhere They Can’t Find Me” running thru my head. Time to dig out the old vinyl…
Ah, Paul Simon! Graceland is one of my very favorite albums ever. (It’s tied with REM’s Green.) I could listen to them over and over. Well, I do!
My favorite lines:
I am following the river down the highway through the cradle of the Civil War. (“Graceland”)
*Joseph’s face was as black as night/The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes. *(“Under African Skies”)
He’s a poor boy/Empty as a pocket (“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”)
Here’s interesting information about “The Capeman” –
The album song is actually “Scarborough Fair/Canticle.” Simon wrote the intersperced lyrics that constitute “Canticle,” turning the song into an anti-war anthem.
Look for the lines in parentheses on this site to see the “Canticle” portion of the song.
I see. Thank you.
Oh, I can’t say enough about him…he has ALWAYS been my very favorite, ever since I was a kid. I remember belting out “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?” and wanting to see The Graduate just because of the music, but alas, I was too young 
His early solo work, especially There Goes Rhymin’ Simon rocks…and please don’t tell me that you aren’t moved by the lyrics of “An American Tune”. My eyes still well up whenever I hear it.
I’ve always pictured him more as a poet than a singer/songwriter, which is why his works have always moved me deeply. I cried the first time he married (I think his son, Harper, must be in his late 20s, possibly early 30s?). When he married Edie, I was like, “Huh?!?” Also, has anybody ever wondered if her marrying him has done something to her career, as in she hasn’t had a hit in years…
I confess I’m not as crazy about his later work, especially after Graceland. I admired his wanting to explore world music and incorporating it into his work, but, to me, it just doesn’t really work…
I personally love Call me Al, it has a lot of fond memories tied to it for me.
Mini Highjack: Does anyone know if Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians have done something after Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars? I loove that album, but never heard from them again. I think it coincided with them getting married.
lothos
Paul Simon rocks my world.
nods
I am convinced that I am the ONLY person who thinks that album is rich and deeply affecting.
What’s wrong with me?
You’ll be able to calculate my age very precisely by this – but his first solo album was the soundtrack of my last year in high school. Recently bought it on CD, and was delighted to find it holds up. “Papa Hobo,” “Peace Like a River,” etc.
Woohoo, Paul Simon fans! Paul will be honored this year at the Kennedy Center Honors. He was chosen to replace another musical Paul with whom I used to frequently confuse him.
The Kennedy Center Honors are a very classy event, and typically feature both a biography of the honoree and a number of performances in tribute. This show is going to be so cool – other honorees include Chita Rivera, James Earl Jones and Elizabeth Taylor.
Ewww, Elizabeth Taylor? Ewwwwwww…
Guess I’ll have to tape it so I can fast-forward through that segment…