"The Paul Simon Songbook" by Paul Simon
"The Paul Simon Songbook" was recorded during a significant transitional period in Paul Simon's career.
"The Paul Simon Songbook" by Paul Simon
Release Date: August 1965
Recording Location: Levy's Recording Studio, 73 New Bond Street, London
Producer: Reginald Warburton and Stanley West
Historical Context:
"The Paul Simon Songbook" was recorded during a significant transitional period in Paul Simon's career. After the initial commercial failure of Simon & Garfunkel's debut album "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.," Simon traveled to England, where he immersed himself in the burgeoning folk scene. This album reflects his experiences during this time, capturing Simon's raw and reflective songwriting style before the commercial success of Simon & Garfunkel's later work. The songs in "The Paul Simon Songbook" would later be re-recorded with Art Garfunkel and gain widespread popularity, but this album offers a unique, stripped-down version of Simon's early compositions.
You can listen to this album on YouTube.
Musicians:
- Paul Simon: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Track Listing:
Side One:
1. "I Am a Rock" – A powerful anthem of self-reliance and emotional isolation, showcasing Simon's lyrical prowess and poignant melody.
2. "Leaves That Are Green" – A reflective song about the passage of time and the inevitable changes it brings, featuring simple yet effective guitar accompaniment.
3. "A Church is Burning" – A socially conscious track addressing racial tensions and violence, with a somber tone and vivid imagery.
4. "April Come She Will" – A short, poetic piece describing the changing seasons and the transient nature of love.
5. "The Sound of Silence" – One of Simon's most iconic songs, exploring themes of alienation and communication breakdown, later re-recorded with Simon & Garfunkel.
6. "A Most Peculiar Man" – A narrative song about loneliness and societal neglect, painting a stark picture of an individual's life and death.
Side Two:
1. "He Was My Brother" – Written under the pseudonym Paul Kane, this song is a tribute to Simon's friend who died in the civil rights movement, filled with a sense of loss and determination.
2. "Kathy's Song" – A heartfelt love song dedicated to Simon's girlfriend at the time, Kathy Chitty, reflecting on love and longing.
3. "The Side of a Hill" – A haunting anti-war song, later integrated into the arrangement of "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon & Garfunkel.
4. "A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)" – A satirical critique of contemporary culture and politics, marked by its biting humor.
5. "Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall" – A contemplative song about the search for meaning and the acceptance of life's uncertainties.
6. "Patterns" – A philosophical exploration of life's repetitive nature and the struggle to find individuality within it.
"The Paul Simon Songbook" provides a raw and intimate look at Paul Simon's early songwriting, offering a glimpse into the development of songs that would later become classics in the Simon & Garfunkel repertoire. The album stands as a testament to Simon's lyrical and melodic talent, capturing his artistic vision during a formative period in his career.
