August 28, 2006
A Suprise From Paul Simon.
It's a collaboration with Brian Eno, and you can hear it. There is a shimmering quality to the sound and an occasional intrusion of faintly discordant guitar that I hear as pure Eno. It works well for Simon, giving his sound a crispness and an edge.
The songwriting is vintage Simon -- lyrically and musically. The lyrics stand as poetry in their own right. (I'm thinking especially of "Everything About It Is A Love Song" and "Wartime Prayers.") And the music -- well, nobody can blend joy and wistfulness like Paul Simon. Even -- maybe especially -- a bouncy love tune like "Father and Daughter." Just about any songwriter would resolve the verses and the chorus on the song's bright major tonic chord; Simon beautifully leavens the feeling of the song with sadness by resolving it to the relative minor. Poignant and unexpected.
"Surprise" is fresh, vibrant songwriting and performance. Give it a listen. (You can hear the tunes by clicking on each of them here.)
Posted by Eric at August 28, 2006 12:47 PM
Comments
Please come lend a hand at www.CrackingTheSimonCode.blogspot.com - you just love these tracks more once you realize how they all take a single subject and view it from different angles. I've already figured out how "painting my hair the color of mud" and "God will, like he waters the flower on your window sill" fit together. Still need help with three tracks.
Posted by: Martin Rinehart at November 20, 2006 8:09 AM