Paul Simon - PAUL SIMON*****

Mother & Child Reunion/Duncan/Everything Put Together Falls Apart/Run That Body Down/Armistice Day/Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard/Peace Like A River/Papa Hobo/Hobo's Blues/Paranoia Blues/Congratulations

Debut solo album from Paul Simon which put to rest fears that his break with Garfunkel would lead to a diminution of his songwriting talent. Includes the US and UK top 5 hit Mother & Child Reunion, and UK top twenty single Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard. (US:4 UK:1)

“This LP showcases Simon's songwriting talent, and confirms his status as one of the more interesting lyricists of his generation. The two most famous songs are Mother & Child Reunion and Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard - the former is possibly the first well-known use of reggae/ska in mainstream American music.”

“From the upbeat opener Mother & Child Reunion, it’s obvious that Simon was happy to keep penning gloriously accessible songs which really drive home just how much he had developed as a songwriter.”

“While Paul Simon would go on to pen more focused and commercially successful albums, this self titled offering finds him enjoying his hard-won creative freedom by stretching his legs a bit and as such is among his most vigorously enjoyable work.”

“It must have been quite daunting for Paul to go solo, but he pulls it off with ease here with a collection of songs that are timeless and quite beautiful at times such as the lovely song Duncan.”

“This album showcases Simon's unique talents and creative interests with an eclectic, quirky, and yet gorgeously produced solo effort. From the haunting rhythms of Mother & Child Reunion to the comically intimate Duncan, there is more than a little autobiographical influence in all the songs.”

“Despite the record being rather sparse, it spans several genres, with blues, folk, baroque pop, jazz and reggae all being mixed into something which sounds both distantly recognisable yet different at the same time.”

“Now it is just Simon by himself, and the results are great. Overall, this is a quiet, even pensive album that finds him getting into his stride as a solo artist.”

“Paul Simon was the essence of thoughtful pop craft. On his first few solo albums, he hired the best musicians to back him on songs that were carefully composed, lyrically as well as musically.”