I wouldn’t expect anyone to agree, but “Sounds Of Silence” will always be my favorite album of Paul Simons career, followed by the next three Simon & Garfunkel albums. Their harmonies just can’t be beat, plus on the nostalgia side those albums were such a part of my childhood.. But I agree that the first three Simon solo LP’s are just superb, as is “Hearts And Bones”...Also agree with you about “Breakaway” being solo Garfunkel’s best.. Enjoyed the video John as usual..
I don't think it's their best (Parsley for me), but I really enjoy Sounds of Silence. Particularly the musical continuity between Somewhere They Can't Find Me, Anji, and We've Got A Groovy Thing Goin'.
And now for something completely different... Yes Paul Simon is a talented songwriter and a decent singer but he doesn't move me the way Art Garfunkel does. "Watermark" I always place in my top 10 list of best albums. Every track is like a masterpiece in a museum, each has its own arrangement to suit the song and with nearly all of them written by Jimmy Webb there's a consistency of quality. His 1st album had the hits 'I Shall Sing' (hard to find a brighter song) and 'All I Know' which he knocks out of the park. His 4th "Fate for Breakfast" is also very good, plenty to love there like 'Miss You Nights' which is a heart-breaker and the closer 'Take Me Away' is remarkable. There were a couple of light & breezy songs though starting to creep in. His 5th and 6th were not as good song-wise but he was still in top voice. I was lucky enough to see him in concert, an intimate outdoor affair at the local state park with the sun just setting over the water, it was excellent. He brought his small son along who looked like a miniature version of him.
Very interesting choices and excellent commentary. Thank you for the video, John. My all time favourite Paul Simon album would also have to be his first solo album, Paul Simon. I also love Graceland as it was my first exposure to Paul Simon. I would be one to prefer his solo work over his S&G work but of course there are some massive songs in that catalog. I had the great pleasure to see him in concert recently as well as during his Rhythm of the Saints tour and he was a fine live performer as well. His band was especially great on the latter tour. Thanks again for posting as it got me wanting to dive back into my Simon & S&G collections!
Bob Dylan's cover of 'The Boxer' is NOT better but it's hilarious. He sings it in his Okie voice and his country crooner voice at the same time but in now way is it harmonizing or even in sync. It never fails to make me smile.
Some surprise opinions in there. But that's what I like about this channel. 'Songbook' down at 14? Rhythm Of The Saints 18? Parsley Sage very low as well? Great stuff as usual.
I just got the Essential Paul Simon 2 CD compilation set recently and now I'm going to listen to some of the deep tracks/ballads you recommend and then might have to buy some of Simon's solo albums - especially Crazy since I already like My Little Town which seems to be the only "hit" I knew that is not on Essential. I liked how you summarized the vibe (i.e. more happy, dark, etc.) on certain solo work which is good information to have when considering any of Paul's other albums.
Thanks John! Really interesting discussion there for me because Paul Simon was the first songwriter I got into in a big way as a teenager. I have all of the albums you discussed except for Breakaway. Briefly my thoughts as follows... - One Trick Pony - Glad to see this get some love. I wouldn't rank it quite so highly as you, but the ballads on there are beautiful. - Live Rhymin' - I was pleased to see you pick out that version of Duncan for special praise. I absolutely love it. "Inspired," as you said. - Hearts and Bones - I actually like the cover art. It works for me and fits the lyrical subject matter perfectly, I feel. Each to their own :-) - Bridge Over Troubled Water - I would rank it a little lower, mostly for production reasons - it's just not easy on the ear for me with the exception of a few tracks. It does of course contain its fair share of outstanding songs, though. - Paul Simon's Concert in the Park - This is the only glaring omission for me. A few years ago I put together a list of my no. 1 favourite album of each year from 1969 to present. PSCITP was my pick for the year 1991. The live versions of the Rhythm of the Saints songs really come into their own on there, particularly The Coast, Born at the Right Time and The Cool, Cool River, which are all incredible.
Such an interesting post John. Where to start? You really stirred it up with this one - perhaps as a function of you joining the party later than me (no shade intended) and so not chronologically. I don't object to your No.1 choice although it would be Bookends for me. That said, I would select the killer line on your chosen album (which I bought on musicassette from Rumbelows in Gosport High Street) as "It's carbon and monoxide, the old Detroit perfume". Perfect, just perfect.
I am a huge Paul Simon/S and G fan. I was buying their albums at the time of their release and would listen over and over. My favorite period of Paul solo was from his first solo (which is my favorite) up until Graceland. I was not a Graceland fan either - I liked a few songs but to me it was no comparison to his earlier work. I really liked Hearts and Bone and One Trick Pony as well. I would definitely have PSRT much higher up the chart than Graceland. Fun to watch the review - thanks!
My top 4 is the same as yours except swap the top 2. I was flooded when I was first heard There Goes Rhymin Simon. Theres such a beautiful variety of sounds and they're all fun and uplifting in their own way. Not sure about Paul's affected accent on Was a Sunny Day, though, lol
A well-considered and balanced ranking. I also appreciate your inclusion of live albums. (Not sure why many ranking vlogs feel the need to exclude them.) I just recently got reacquainted with Paul's RHYMIN' SIMON and was reminded of how joyful the disk was. The recent reissue includes demos of several songs and allows a glimpse into Simon's meticulous working methods. I agree that GRACELAND is a good but over-rated album. A product of its time. Nice to see a Garfunkel album making your list. BREAKAWAY is easily his best though there are many interesting performances scattered throughout his discography. Great job, John!
Hi John, though I am not particularly into simon and garfunkel, "There goes Rhymin Simon" was in my house growing up courtesy of my mum who was a semi-professional singer. It remains one of the 5 albums I would have on a desert island. "Something so right" is one of my favorite tracks of all time.
I love the top two, but I would probably flip them personally. I find myself enjoying There Goes Rhymin' Simon for the reasons you mentioned, though you didn't mention the contribution of the Dixie Hummingbirds on several tracks. They absolutely nail it on Loves Me Like a Rock and I'm sure you'd agree! That said, Paul Simon's solo debut was a landmark album for me, so big thumbs up and thanks for recommending the DVDs as well!
I have most of their original albums as a duo from the 1960's with tracks such as Scarborough Fair, Sound of Silence, Feelin' Groovy, Dangling Conversation, and many rare tracks such as Cloudy, Peggy O, and who could forget Bridge over Troubled Water. I have made a cd compilation of their best stuff from their earlier albums and "Love" to play it most days. Their vocal harmonies are flawless, and Paul's songwriting is exceptional. Such a shame they split in 1970 appearing 10 years later to do a one off concert in Central Park in New York, which I also have. Their music is "Timeless"
Great top 5 John which is hard to argue with & you should do a best of the rest of your collection without the usual suspects!! It would be great to see what else you like.
I'm not sure if production is an issue with the Paul Simon Songbook, it's voice and guitar. Great versions of some songs like I Am a Rock, Kathy's Song, Leaves That Are Green, April Come She Will.
had "Paul Simon" the first album when it first came out in the seventy's....got me into collecting on S&G albums....even their first recording on 78rpm "Hey School Girl"...I collected all his albums ever since....but not fond of his later ones. \
I’m so pleased to see you think so highly of One Trick Pony. I bought this when it first was released and even if you ignore the excellent compositions, the superlative musicianship and strong vocals I think the production on this album is second to none. I’ve always been a huge admirer of Steely Dan’s’
Caught the post button. As I was saying, I’ve admired Steely Dan since their beginnings and as feted as they are for their production values I really feel that this particular LP can stand alongside them. I’ve a few Simon solo albums and with Garfunkel but this is the one which I usually pop on when I feel the urge for some Simon.
Got them to number 1 though and propelled them into stardom. If that never happened we probably wouldnt have had all this great music. But i agree, i prefer the original. :)
I enjoyed the review, although I would have ranked albums differently. Regarding Greatest Hits, Etc. -- that album contains perhaps my favorite American Tune version... I love the cello closing. Unfortunately, I haven't found a modern/digital version of that one.
Totally agree with One Trick Pony. Right from the start I always said how good it was. Really shocked at how no-one rated it. But that’s a very very fair top 20. By the way, you should check out the film One Trick Pony. I really quite like it. And the live performance of Long Long Day is better than the performance on the LP. Also in the film you get the awesome Soft Parachutes, that you don’t get on the LP.
I agree with your choice of the Paul Simon songbook as number one. A few great tracks you didn't mention from it were "A most peculiar man", "He was my brother" and "Side of a Hill".
Johnny Rocker Paul Simon & Van Morrison are head and shoulders above Dylan, recall how deftly Paul laid waste to Dylan on “A Simple Desultory” and “The Boxer”.
Zach Blakemore he’s a highly anointed brother, oddly enough I’m more familiar with his back catalogue than his hits just listen to the power of “Summertime in England / Common One”, “Linden Arden Stole the Highlights”, “wonderful remark -1972” or “Beauty of the days gone by”
Art Garfunkel had the voice but it was Paul Simon who had the real talent so his best move was to go alone and show the world who was the driving force of that duo. Garfunkel solo work is best forgotten but Simon is now rightly regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. My favourite song is: Kodachrome and favourite album: There Goes Rhymin' Simon. America has to be my favourite of them as a duo.
@jackson pine The voice might be everything to you my friend but not to me. We are all different. I value much more songwriting skills than just a great voice, which undoubtedly Art Garfunkel had. All I've said is that it has been proven who has succeeded after the split and it certainly hasn't been Mr Garfunkel. Bridge Over Troubled Water is one of my favourite songs, an absolute classic but you are not going to tell me it's all down to Art Garfunkel because it's NOT.
@jackson pine I'm not bashing anybody. All I've said is that I prefer songwriters to somebody just having a great voice. Elvis Presley had a great voice but I don't rate him because he never wrote a decent song in his life(A bit like your mate, Garfunkel). Real talent to me is writing your own material, not just having a great voice and singing somebody else's songs. Frank Sinatra is another one, loved by millions but not by me. We all have different tastes, values and ideas so you stick to listening to Bright Eyes and I'll enjoy Late in the Evening.
My top 3 list Poul Simon/Art Garfunkel 1.Poul Simon- Graceland 2.Simon/Garfunkel- The concert in central park. 3.Simon/Garfunkel-Bridge over trouble water.
Paul Simon up there with Paul McCartney , John Lennon and Brian Wilson in my opinion and no i havent forgotten Bob Dylan ... My personal favourites...Homeward Bound...Old Friends and Something so Right...
I was of the same opinion on SBOSW and then l got it, give it another go it really is excellent...a slow burner so to speak. I also liked lTBL which you weren't keen on but l agree with you on Surprise a superb album. My first S & G album was the greatest hits from 81 or 82 but l can remember Mrs Robinson on release amazingly enough even though l was under 5! Very interesting hearing your view's as ever.l'll check out Breakaway I've never heard of it... I've not explored AG's catalogue so l will start!
Paul, - I've got a lovely orange lollipop for you and a clean handkerchief - perhaps a kingfisher bird sometimes has to dive deeper and longer to snatch at the fish??
It is a real pity John that you don't have a copy of 'Wednesday Morning 3 am' as it is a great debut, if not their very best LP. It is clear you have have hardly listened to it by your comments. I much prefer their early stuff compared to you, as I think their qualities while evolving were ALWAYS very good. Same with early Dylan, same with the Beatles. I think 'With the Beatles' is THE perfect early Beatles LP (#5 to me) and for me is 10 times better than Abbey Road for ex or Let it be where I agree with Lennon's well motivated if unpopular dismissal of both, 'Abbey Road' as 'the sound of a band dying' which it was and 'Let it Be' as 'garbage' (a little harsh perhaps but far more right than wrong). For example I LOVE 'Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme', A perfect top 3 LP for me with INCREDIBLE sound and harmonies. The are no weak songs on that LP and I like the so called 'basic' music, like I do on 'Blond on Blond', it fits and does not take away from the songs qualities like some 'epic' music accompaniment does. The minimalism leaves the song at the center while adding energy. Compare the 'Sound of Silence' versions. Both versions are very good but the band version is more uplifting without killing the spell and I prefer it as do most. It is very clear how much you like music from the era of your teens, which is a very common response while I disliked that same era in my life, being notably 'stuck in the 60's' as my friends mocked my Grateful Dead, Beatles, Syd Barrett, Doors and even Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground obsessions.. The mid 70's was an era which I despised as a era of turgid Prog crap after the magic of the acid 60's and early 70's hippie era of genius in overflow. I felt CHEATED. I missed out on Hendrix etc. Glitter Rock?? KISS?? Dull pseudo classical Prog (please give me Bach or Mozart!! 10,000 times better). It made me a punk skinhead into electronic music like Eno, Pil, Talking Heads, later Depeche Mode etc. I don't look at music as nostalgia but sound energy. I love everything from Cab Calloway, Billie Holliday, Gershwin, Little Richards, Snoop Dogg, Outkast, Tom Waits, the Beatles all the way to Radiohead, kd Lang, Zeppelin. I was AT the Simon and Garfunkle 1981 concert you have the Live LP from, as I had been in Central Park with Al DiMeola, Paco de Lucia and John McLaughlin, that same year. Just as earlier I saw Zeppelin at Knebworth '79, my last year in the UK, before moving to NYC permanently in December, See the 'Kashmir' and 'Achilles last Stand' from that one on U tube) also seeing an incredibly vital Robert Plant last year in June in Stockholm.!) It was indeed an awesome experience. I do my own version of 'The only Living Boy in New York' btw , a beautiful song on 12 string. We agree on their greatness though! 'Still crazy after all these Years' is another great LP. Lost interest after that and was NOT into the 80's stuff. The 'Graceland ' LP left me stone cold. I thought it was exploitative and crude and I liked the simple fun of 'Call me Al' even if it is not a GREAT song. Listen to Fela Kuti instead. The REAL deal. 'Zombies'!! Someone somewhat older than even you!! Peace be unto you John and thank you so very much for your videos, which I watch every time now. Yes so we disagree sometimes, but so what, as you say. Hell, I even argue with my self sometimes!
@@duncandavies1966 John Lennon felt the same way and afterwards the Beatles indeed died. So I would say we we got it right. 'With the Beatles' is a perfect LP done with breakthrough intensity, freshness and with no weak songs while having the time to correct mistakes and get the perfect sound unlike the first rushed 'live' album. 'Abbey Road' is 3 maybe 4 good tunes and everything else is B Grade filler songs saved by the genius of George Martin. Half the LP is unfinished tunes stitched together to make something sound nice. It does SOUND nice but it is still a weak LP compared to the genius of what came before. 1969 was the year of everybody else but the Beatles. I have felt that way since 1969. Thank God for Spotify. I have 111 songs by the Beatles. 8 from those last two LP's. No boring 'All you need is Love', No 'Hey Jude', No 'She Loves you'. Just the great stuff. Like 'Old Brown Shoe', 'Don't Let me Down'. 'Hey Bulldog', 'I am the Walrus', 'Happiness is a warm gun', 'Fool on the Hill', 'A day in the life', 'Don't Bother Me', 'Eleanor Rigby', you know the truly great stuff. The Beatles were DONE by 1969 Zeppelin were the new King's of Brit Rock (BBC Radio One even used 'Whole Lotta Love' instead of the earlier 'Drive My Car' Beeb beeb' Beatles Jingle and everyone was into the USA in 1969, even Led Zeppelin. Woodstock, Hendrix, the Doors, Santana, the Grateful Dead, James Brown, Zappa, Creedance Clearwater, and Lennon moving there followed by the Stones, need I say more? All doing better more vital exciting music than 'Let it Be' or 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer'. I even don't like the dirge 'I Want You.' Yeah it's heavy but It's still a tiresome dirge and I'm a Lennon fan. Only his 'Because' (nice harmonies) and 'Come Together' pass muster. Harrison is in top form and Ringo in there too and Martin working his butt off to make this mess sound good. (He copied/improved on the concept the Grateful Dead had done in 1968's 'Anthem of the Sun' where various recordings were spliced together to make a longer complex sequence out of bits, perfectly arranged). However Paul and John were finished creatively and both were in love with a woman (Linda and Yoko) all of them wanting to do their own thing. Even 'Come Together' was a bit of a rip off as Paul stated. There is no 'Eleanor Rigby' or 'I am the Walrus' genius here other than George Harrison! That is why John said it was the sound of a band dying. He was right and he was there. When I listen to 'With the Beatles' it was the first properly produced Beatles LP. Fantastic sound and graphics and all fresh beautifully performed Pop Rock songs done with enthusiasm and panache. 100% effort. I prefer it to the more stiff and by the number's 'A Hard days Night' as that LP has a few songs I don't think are that good.
@@duncandavies1966 Sadly you are probably right. People not listening to their best stuff because of the 'era' and cliches. Funnily enough since writing to you I divided my Spotify list of my essential 111 Beatles' tunes into early (1962-65) mid (1966-67) and late (1968-69). And just by chance all three come to about roughly the same length (about1 hr 40 min) with more earlier but shorter tunes. I chose the pieces I still enjoy after 50 years. Out of 32 songs from 1968 to 1969, only 8 come from those last two LP'S. I don't even like the other songs really anymore. They are not talent less, they are just dull and tedious. 'The Long and Winding road'. It's not bad but It's wrist slitting music. Not hot. Compared to 'I saw her standing there'.from their first or from my preferred second, 'Don't bother me', 'All I've Got to do', 'Rollover Beethoven', 'Money', 'Please Mr Postman, I wanna be your Man (the Stones first single) 'It won't be Long', 'You've really got a hold on me'. That's a great album with no filler, great tunes performed beautifully and inspired and well recorded. Yes it is clearly better. The rest is snobbery about 'pop'. The Beatles were always a Rock Band; just more than just that. In Hamburg they were speed punk Rockers in leather (see 'Twist and Shout' or 'Boys' for a taste of that era). The Pop thing was an affectation for success reasons. The Beatles hit the stage running in 63. Sometime give that LP a whirl sometimes. It will surprise you.
Vlad Drakul To say those who prefer later-period Beatles do so because it’s a cliche is disingenuous. Abbey Road, Pepper and The White Album are critically acclaimed and considered some of the best albums ever recorded. And the vast majority of Beatles fans agree (I’m not talking about casual listeners here). You disagree, and that’s fine, but saying that everyone else is wrong and you’re right is silly. There is no right and wrong.
I agree with John about Graceland. I loved it at the time but now it's seems smothered in it's production and the songs really have nothing to do with Africa.
I put Garfunkels first three albums on par with Simon's. I prefer Garfunkels Fate for Breakfast and Scissors Cut above Simon's Still Crazy and The godawful One Trick Pony. Simon's Hearts and Bones I put above Graceland. There I said it.
So. This guy John Heaton. Is he a musician? I listen to some record reviews & I find this guy frustrating, boring, & faceless. I always tune into reviews where you get to hear some music. If I was doing record reviews, I'd have a guitar & piano at hand to show what particular musician is doing what. Or I could just sit there & drone on & on never cracking a smile, joke. Or I could rave about a juicy chord progression or lyric, or make a "Yuk" sound or funny face when lamenting how bad a song, performance, or solo was.
There is an English musician by the name of John Heaton. I had never heard of him until a few days ago - he didn't make a splash in the US. Maybe that is who you are thinking of.
Half an hour long John Heaton video? Yes! Yes and please and thank you.
I wouldn’t expect anyone to agree, but “Sounds Of Silence” will always be my favorite album of Paul Simons career, followed by the next three Simon & Garfunkel albums. Their harmonies just can’t be beat, plus on the nostalgia side those albums were such a part of my childhood.. But I agree that the first three Simon solo LP’s are just superb, as is “Hearts And Bones”...Also agree with you about “Breakaway” being solo Garfunkel’s best.. Enjoyed the video John as usual..
I don't think it's their best (Parsley for me), but I really enjoy Sounds of Silence. Particularly the musical continuity between Somewhere They Can't Find Me, Anji, and We've Got A Groovy Thing Goin'.
Top 5 Paul Simon SoloAlbums:
1. You're the one
2. There's goes the rythmin' Simon
3. Paul Simon
4. Harts and bones
5. So beautiful or so what
And now for something completely different...
Yes Paul Simon is a talented songwriter and a decent singer but he doesn't move me the way Art Garfunkel does. "Watermark" I always place in my top 10 list of best albums. Every track is like a masterpiece in a museum, each has its own arrangement to suit the song and with nearly all of them written by Jimmy Webb there's a consistency of quality.
His 1st album had the hits 'I Shall Sing' (hard to find a brighter song) and 'All I Know' which he knocks out of the park. His 4th "Fate for Breakfast" is also very good, plenty to love there like 'Miss You Nights' which is a heart-breaker and the closer 'Take Me Away' is remarkable. There were a couple of light & breezy songs though starting to creep in. His 5th and 6th were not as good song-wise but he was still in top voice.
I was lucky enough to see him in concert, an intimate outdoor affair at the local state park with the sun just setting over the water, it was excellent. He brought his small son along who looked like a miniature version of him.
My favorites are Parsley Sage Rosemary And Thyme and Bookends
Very interesting choices and excellent commentary. Thank you for the video, John. My all time favourite Paul Simon album would also have to be his first solo album, Paul Simon. I also love Graceland as it was my first exposure to Paul Simon. I would be one to prefer his solo work over his S&G work but of course there are some massive songs in that catalog. I had the great pleasure to see him in concert recently as well as during his Rhythm of the Saints tour and he was a fine live performer as well. His band was especially great on the latter tour. Thanks again for posting as it got me wanting to dive back into my Simon & S&G collections!
Bob Dylan's cover of 'The Boxer' is NOT better but it's hilarious. He sings it in his Okie voice and his country crooner voice at the same time but in now way is it harmonizing or even in sync. It never fails to make me smile.
This list has encouraged me to get out those Paul Simon albums out again, it has been a while! Thanks.
Thanks for your brilliant reviews John, keep up the good work ...
Review of tumbleweed connection by Elton?
Some surprise opinions in there. But that's what I like about this channel. 'Songbook' down at 14? Rhythm Of The Saints 18? Parsley Sage very low as well? Great stuff as usual.
Hi John. I really like the 'You're the One' album. Nice to see the vinyl version of Stranger to Stranger.
I just got the Essential Paul Simon 2 CD compilation set recently and now I'm going to listen to some of the deep tracks/ballads you recommend and then might have to buy some of Simon's solo albums - especially Crazy since I already like My Little Town which seems to be the only "hit" I knew that is not on Essential. I liked how you summarized the vibe (i.e. more happy, dark, etc.) on certain solo work which is good information to have when considering any of Paul's other albums.
Fantastic 🙏 Paul Simon is up there will the best of them . Such a amazing songrighter . Thanks for sharing your top 20 👍
Thanks John! Really interesting discussion there for me because Paul Simon was the first songwriter I got into in a big way as a teenager. I have all of the albums you discussed except for Breakaway.
Briefly my thoughts as follows...
- One Trick Pony - Glad to see this get some love. I wouldn't rank it quite so highly as you, but the ballads on there are beautiful.
- Live Rhymin' - I was pleased to see you pick out that version of Duncan for special praise. I absolutely love it. "Inspired," as you said.
- Hearts and Bones - I actually like the cover art. It works for me and fits the lyrical subject matter perfectly, I feel. Each to their own :-)
- Bridge Over Troubled Water - I would rank it a little lower, mostly for production reasons - it's just not easy on the ear for me with the exception of a few tracks. It does of course contain its fair share of outstanding songs, though.
- Paul Simon's Concert in the Park - This is the only glaring omission for me. A few years ago I put together a list of my no. 1 favourite album of each year from 1969 to present. PSCITP was my pick for the year 1991. The live versions of the Rhythm of the Saints songs really come into their own on there, particularly The Coast, Born at the Right Time and The Cool, Cool River, which are all incredible.
Thanks for your brilliant reviews John
When I was 16 my grandmother gave me her copies of Bookends and Bridge and those two albums have taken up more time on my player than any others
Such an interesting post John. Where to start? You really stirred it up with this one - perhaps as a function of you joining the party later than me (no shade intended) and so not chronologically. I don't object to your No.1 choice although it would be Bookends for me. That said, I would select the killer line on your chosen album (which I bought on musicassette from Rumbelows in Gosport High Street) as "It's carbon and monoxide, the old Detroit perfume". Perfect, just perfect.
I am a huge Paul Simon/S and G fan. I was buying their albums at the time of their release and would listen over and over. My favorite period of Paul solo was from his first solo (which is my favorite) up until Graceland. I was not a Graceland fan either - I liked a few songs but to me it was no comparison to his earlier work. I really liked Hearts and Bone and One Trick Pony as well. I would definitely have PSRT much higher up the chart than Graceland. Fun to watch the review - thanks!
Great video John!!
Hi John, really enjoying your channel. Perhaps you could do a review of your hi-fi system? Might be interesting.
My top 4 is the same as yours except swap the top 2. I was flooded when I was first heard There Goes Rhymin Simon. Theres such a beautiful variety of sounds and they're all fun and uplifting in their own way. Not sure about Paul's affected accent on Was a Sunny Day, though, lol
Bookends was their Sgt. Pepper.
A well-considered and balanced ranking. I also appreciate your inclusion of live albums. (Not sure why many ranking vlogs feel the need to exclude them.) I just recently got reacquainted with Paul's RHYMIN' SIMON and was reminded of how joyful the disk was. The recent reissue includes demos of several songs and allows a glimpse into Simon's meticulous working methods. I agree that GRACELAND is a good but over-rated album. A product of its time. Nice to see a Garfunkel album making your list. BREAKAWAY is easily his best though there are many interesting performances scattered throughout his discography.
Great job, John!
My mom got me Simon and Garfunkle's greatest hits Christmas 1974. About the best gift I ever got as it started me on my musical journey.
Hi John, though I am not particularly into simon and garfunkel, "There goes Rhymin Simon" was in my house growing up courtesy of my mum who was a semi-professional singer. It remains one of the 5 albums I would have on a desert island. "Something so right" is one of my favorite tracks of all time.
I love the top two, but I would probably flip them personally. I find myself enjoying There Goes Rhymin' Simon for the reasons you mentioned, though you didn't mention the contribution of the Dixie Hummingbirds on several tracks. They absolutely nail it on Loves Me Like a Rock and I'm sure you'd agree! That said, Paul Simon's solo debut was a landmark album for me, so big thumbs up and thanks for recommending the DVDs as well!
Great video as always. Have you ever thought about the amount of Christian imagery in Paul Simon’s songs considering he is Jewish?
I've always liked Garfunkel's first solo album Angel Claire and would have included it in the bottom end of my top 20.
Personally, still crazy is my favorite solo album of his. Musically, there is some awesome complex stuff going on throughout
Love the title track
im annonymous ... me too, plus my little town, those two tracks started my first ever mixed tape when I first got my driving licence in 1980.
James shugg my little town is so good! It’s got all these parts that don’t ever really repeat, all kinds of keychanges
@@croatoansounds ya love that track to
@@jashugg yes love that track i agree
yeah.....a friend of mind lent me that Simon compilation album and that was also how I got into his solo music. Good Review.
I have most of their original albums as a duo from the 1960's with tracks such as
Scarborough Fair, Sound of Silence, Feelin' Groovy, Dangling Conversation, and many
rare tracks such as Cloudy, Peggy O, and who could forget Bridge over Troubled Water.
I have made a cd compilation of their best stuff from their earlier albums and "Love"
to play it most days. Their vocal harmonies are flawless, and Paul's songwriting is
exceptional. Such a shame they split in 1970 appearing 10 years later to do a one
off concert in Central Park in New York, which I also have. Their music is "Timeless"
I agree with you on most of your choices. I wouldn't have placed One Trick or Still Crazy so high. Thanks for the excellent reviews.
Great top 5 John which is hard to argue with & you should do a best of the rest of your collection without the usual suspects!! It would be great to see what else you like.
I'm not sure if production is an issue with the Paul Simon Songbook, it's voice and guitar. Great versions of some songs like I Am a Rock, Kathy's Song, Leaves That Are Green, April Come She Will.
had "Paul Simon" the first album when it first came out in the seventy's....got me
into collecting on S&G albums....even their first recording on 78rpm "Hey School Girl"...I collected all his albums ever since....but not fond of his later ones.
\
I’m so pleased to see you think so highly of One Trick Pony. I bought this when it first was released and even if you ignore the excellent compositions, the superlative musicianship and strong vocals I think the production on this album is second to none. I’ve always been a huge admirer of Steely Dan’s’
Caught the post button. As I was saying, I’ve admired Steely Dan since their beginnings and as feted as they are for their production values I really feel that this particular LP can stand alongside them. I’ve a few Simon solo albums and with Garfunkel but this is the one which I usually pop on when I feel the urge for some Simon.
i think drums were used on the sounds of silence album to get the "folk-rock" feel of the time but agree totally unnecessary
Yeah, definitely a record company decision to make it more rock and roll with the drums.
Got them to number 1 though and propelled them into stardom. If that never happened we probably wouldnt have had all this great music. But i agree, i prefer the original. :)
I found You're the One took a few listens before the songs began to speak to me. It's now one of my favourites of his.
I enjoyed the review, although I would have ranked albums differently. Regarding Greatest Hits, Etc. -- that album contains perhaps my favorite American Tune version... I love the cello closing. Unfortunately, I haven't found a modern/digital version of that one.
Totally agree with One Trick Pony. Right from the start I always said how good it was. Really shocked at how no-one rated it. But that’s a very very fair top 20. By the way, you should check out the film One Trick Pony. I really quite like it. And the live performance of Long Long Day is better than the performance on the LP. Also in the film you get the awesome Soft Parachutes, that you don’t get on the LP.
I agree with your choice of the Paul Simon songbook as number one. A few great tracks you didn't mention from it were "A most peculiar man", "He was my brother" and "Side of a Hill".
The Paul Simon Songbook was recorded in the U.K. when he was living there and toured the folk clubs. I think it was recorded in under an hour.
What drums on Homeward Bound? Are you referring to an alternate take?
For me, PS is the best songwriter to emerge from the 1960's.
Paul Simon is good but can’t hold a candle to Bob Dylan . No offense you’re entitled to your opinion I’ll stick to the Facts :)
@@mikelynch7271 You're entitled to your opinion too. No worries there. Unfortunately you're not entitled to your own facts :)
Johnny Rocker Paul Simon & Van Morrison are head and shoulders above Dylan, recall how deftly Paul laid waste to Dylan on “A Simple Desultory” and “The Boxer”.
Hanif Barnwell yes van Morrison is a god. So undiscovered
Zach Blakemore he’s a highly anointed brother, oddly enough I’m more familiar with his back catalogue than his hits just listen to the power of “Summertime in England / Common One”, “Linden Arden Stole the Highlights”, “wonderful remark -1972” or “Beauty of the days gone by”
Terrible idea to shuffle Paul Simon and S&G albums
Art Garfunkel had the voice but it was Paul Simon who had the real talent so his best move was to go alone and show the world who was the driving force of that duo. Garfunkel solo work is best forgotten but Simon is now rightly regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. My favourite song is: Kodachrome and favourite album: There Goes Rhymin' Simon. America has to be my favourite of them as a duo.
@jackson pine The voice might be everything to you my friend but not to me. We are all different. I value much more songwriting skills than just a great voice, which undoubtedly Art Garfunkel had. All I've said is that it has been proven who has succeeded after the split and it certainly hasn't been Mr Garfunkel. Bridge Over Troubled Water is one of my favourite songs, an absolute classic but you are not going to tell me it's all down to Art Garfunkel because it's NOT.
@jackson pine I'm not bashing anybody. All I've said is that I prefer songwriters to somebody just having a great voice. Elvis Presley had a great voice but I don't rate him because he never wrote a decent song in his life(A bit like your mate, Garfunkel). Real talent to me is writing your own material, not just having a great voice and singing somebody else's songs. Frank Sinatra is another one, loved by millions but not by me. We all have different tastes, values and ideas so you stick to listening to Bright Eyes and I'll enjoy Late in the Evening.
April come she will and Duncan are the tracks I favour lately
My top 3 list Poul Simon/Art Garfunkel
1.Poul Simon- Graceland
2.Simon/Garfunkel- The concert in central park.
3.Simon/Garfunkel-Bridge over trouble water.
Paul Simon up there with Paul McCartney , John Lennon and Brian Wilson in my opinion and no i havent forgotten Bob Dylan ... My personal favourites...Homeward Bound...Old Friends and Something so Right...
I was of the same opinion on SBOSW and then l got it, give it another go it really is excellent...a slow burner so to speak. I also liked lTBL which you weren't keen on but l agree with you on Surprise a superb album.
My first S & G album was the greatest hits from 81 or 82 but l can remember Mrs Robinson on release amazingly enough even though l was under 5! Very interesting hearing your view's as ever.l'll check out Breakaway I've never heard of it... I've not explored AG's catalogue so l will start!
Mate, dig into Wednesday Morning 3AM more when you can. It really has got some great tunes on it.
From what I’ve read, the drums were added to a lot of S&G tracks without their knowledge!
is that abba album autographed if so by who ?
signed by all four members :- )
Big fan of you, wish I could have a picture with your autograph on.
I'm waiting for your ROXY MUSIC WORST TO BEST
Paul, - I've got a lovely orange lollipop for you and a clean handkerchief - perhaps a kingfisher bird sometimes has to dive deeper and longer to snatch at the fish??
Agree with top two bookends at three
Didn't Stevie ray Vaughn play on lets dance?
It is a real pity John that you don't have a copy of 'Wednesday Morning 3 am' as it is a great debut, if not their very best LP. It is clear you have have hardly listened to it by your comments. I much prefer their early stuff compared to you, as I think their qualities while evolving were ALWAYS very good. Same with early Dylan, same with the Beatles. I think 'With the Beatles' is THE perfect early Beatles LP (#5 to me) and for me is 10 times better than Abbey Road for ex or Let it be where I agree with Lennon's well motivated if unpopular dismissal of both, 'Abbey Road' as 'the sound of a band dying' which it was and 'Let it Be' as 'garbage' (a little harsh perhaps but far more right than wrong). For example I LOVE 'Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme', A perfect top 3 LP for me with INCREDIBLE sound and harmonies. The are no weak songs on that LP and I like the so called 'basic' music, like I do on 'Blond on Blond', it fits and does not take away from the songs qualities like some 'epic' music accompaniment does. The minimalism leaves the song at the center while adding energy. Compare the 'Sound of Silence' versions. Both versions are very good but the band version is more uplifting without killing the spell and I prefer it as do most.
It is very clear how much you like music from the era of your teens, which is a very common response while I disliked that same era in my life, being notably 'stuck in the 60's' as my friends mocked my Grateful Dead, Beatles, Syd Barrett, Doors and even Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground obsessions.. The mid 70's was an era which I despised as a era of turgid Prog crap after the magic of the acid 60's and early 70's hippie era of genius in overflow. I felt CHEATED. I missed out on Hendrix etc. Glitter Rock?? KISS?? Dull pseudo classical Prog (please give me Bach or Mozart!! 10,000 times better). It made me a punk skinhead into electronic music like Eno, Pil, Talking Heads, later Depeche Mode etc. I don't look at music as nostalgia but sound energy. I love everything from Cab Calloway, Billie Holliday, Gershwin, Little Richards, Snoop Dogg, Outkast, Tom Waits, the Beatles all the way to Radiohead, kd Lang, Zeppelin.
I was AT the Simon and Garfunkle 1981 concert you have the Live LP from, as I had been in Central Park with Al DiMeola, Paco de Lucia and John McLaughlin, that same year. Just as earlier I saw Zeppelin at Knebworth '79, my last year in the UK, before moving to NYC permanently in December, See the 'Kashmir' and 'Achilles last Stand' from that one on U tube) also seeing an incredibly vital Robert Plant last year in June in Stockholm.!) It was indeed an awesome experience. I do my own version of 'The only Living Boy in New York' btw , a beautiful song on 12 string. We agree on their greatness though! 'Still crazy after all these Years' is another great LP. Lost interest after that and was NOT into the 80's stuff. The 'Graceland ' LP left me stone cold. I thought it was exploitative and crude and I liked the simple fun of 'Call me Al' even if it is not a GREAT song. Listen to Fela Kuti instead. The REAL deal. 'Zombies'!!
Someone somewhat older than even you!! Peace be unto you John and thank you so very much for your videos, which I watch every time now. Yes so we disagree sometimes, but so what, as you say. Hell, I even argue with my self sometimes!
"With The Beatles is 10 times better than Abbey Road"
Can I have what you're smoking please.
@@duncandavies1966 John Lennon felt the same way and afterwards the Beatles indeed died. So I would say we we got it right. 'With the Beatles' is a perfect LP done with breakthrough intensity, freshness and with no weak songs while having the time to correct mistakes and get the perfect sound unlike the first rushed 'live' album. 'Abbey Road' is 3 maybe 4 good tunes and everything else is B Grade filler songs saved by the genius of George Martin. Half the LP is unfinished tunes stitched together to make something sound nice. It does SOUND nice but it is still a weak LP compared to the genius of what came before.
1969 was the year of everybody else but the Beatles. I have felt that way since 1969. Thank God for Spotify. I have 111 songs by the Beatles. 8 from those last two LP's. No boring 'All you need is Love', No 'Hey Jude', No 'She Loves you'. Just the great stuff. Like 'Old Brown Shoe', 'Don't Let me Down'. 'Hey Bulldog', 'I am the Walrus', 'Happiness is a warm gun', 'Fool on the Hill', 'A day in the life', 'Don't Bother Me', 'Eleanor Rigby', you know the truly great stuff. The Beatles were DONE by 1969 Zeppelin were the new King's of Brit Rock (BBC Radio One even used 'Whole Lotta Love' instead of the earlier 'Drive My Car' Beeb beeb' Beatles Jingle and everyone was into the USA in 1969, even Led Zeppelin. Woodstock, Hendrix, the Doors, Santana, the Grateful Dead, James Brown, Zappa, Creedance Clearwater, and Lennon moving there followed by the Stones, need I say more? All doing better more vital exciting music than 'Let it Be' or 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer'. I even don't like the dirge 'I Want You.' Yeah it's heavy but It's still a tiresome dirge and I'm a Lennon fan. Only his 'Because' (nice harmonies) and 'Come Together' pass muster. Harrison is in top form and Ringo in there too and Martin working his butt off to make this mess sound good. (He copied/improved on the concept the Grateful Dead had done in 1968's 'Anthem of the Sun' where various recordings were spliced together to make a longer complex sequence out of bits, perfectly arranged). However Paul and John were finished creatively and both were in love with a woman (Linda and Yoko) all of them wanting to do their own thing. Even 'Come Together' was a bit of a rip off as Paul stated. There is no 'Eleanor Rigby' or 'I am the Walrus' genius here other than George Harrison!
That is why John said it was the sound of a band dying. He was right and he was there. When I listen to 'With the Beatles' it was the first properly produced Beatles LP. Fantastic sound and graphics and all fresh beautifully performed Pop Rock songs done with enthusiasm and panache. 100% effort. I prefer it to the more stiff and by the number's 'A Hard days Night' as that LP has a few songs I don't think are that good.
Vlad Drakul fair enough if that’s your opinion, but you won’t find many Beatles fans agreeing with you.
@@duncandavies1966 Sadly you are probably right. People not listening to their best stuff because of the 'era' and cliches. Funnily enough since writing to you I divided my Spotify list of my essential 111 Beatles' tunes into early (1962-65) mid (1966-67) and late (1968-69). And just by chance all three come to about roughly the same length (about1 hr 40 min) with more earlier but shorter tunes. I chose the pieces I still enjoy after 50 years. Out of 32 songs from 1968 to 1969, only 8 come from those last two LP'S. I don't even like the other songs really anymore. They are not talent less, they are just dull and tedious. 'The Long and Winding road'. It's not bad but It's wrist slitting music. Not hot. Compared to 'I saw her standing there'.from their first or from my preferred second, 'Don't bother me', 'All I've Got to do', 'Rollover Beethoven', 'Money', 'Please Mr Postman, I wanna be your Man (the Stones first single) 'It won't be Long', 'You've really got a hold on me'. That's a great album with no filler, great tunes performed beautifully and inspired and well recorded. Yes it is clearly better. The rest is snobbery about 'pop'. The Beatles were always a Rock Band; just more than just that. In Hamburg they were speed punk Rockers in leather (see 'Twist and Shout' or 'Boys' for a taste of that era). The Pop thing was an affectation for success reasons. The Beatles hit the stage running in 63. Sometime give that LP a whirl sometimes. It will surprise you.
Vlad Drakul To say those who prefer later-period Beatles do so because it’s a cliche is disingenuous. Abbey Road, Pepper and The White Album are critically acclaimed and considered some of the best albums ever recorded. And the vast majority of Beatles fans agree (I’m not talking about casual listeners here). You disagree, and that’s fine, but saying that everyone else is wrong and you’re right is silly. There is no right and wrong.
I agree with John about Graceland. I loved it at the time but now it's seems smothered in it's production and the songs really have nothing to do with Africa.
Angel Clare and Watermark DIDNT make it?? I love your videos, but you cut me to the quick. Ouch.
Graceland ranked number 11 yet it is the only one you chose to get/have signed?
it is signed not by PS but by various members of Ladysmith Black Mombazo at the stage door of the Albert Hall April 87
@@johnheaton5667 Well you certainly missed out there!
Hearts and Bones is right up there in my opinion....probably top 3 for mine....it's incredibly strong, don't get put off by the dated production.
I put Garfunkels first three albums on par with Simon's. I prefer Garfunkels Fate for Breakfast and Scissors Cut above Simon's Still Crazy and The godawful One Trick Pony. Simon's Hearts and Bones I put above Graceland. There I said it.
One Trick Pony? Hmm...
Denny Seiwell played drums with Wings not guitar.
One trick pony movie is availble here on youtube check it out it's good.
La-la-laaa - la-laa-laaa
Really!!!! Did he even listen to the Simon and Garfunkel Albums!!!!!
So. This guy John Heaton. Is he a musician? I listen to some record reviews & I find this guy frustrating, boring, & faceless. I always tune into reviews where you get to hear some music. If I was doing record reviews, I'd have a guitar & piano at hand to show what particular musician is doing what. Or I could just sit there & drone on & on never cracking a smile, joke. Or I could rave about a juicy chord progression or lyric, or make a "Yuk" sound or funny face when lamenting how bad a song, performance, or solo was.
Show us all how it's done then.
There is an English musician by the name of John Heaton. I had never heard of him until a few days ago - he didn't make a splash in the US. Maybe that is who you are thinking of.
is this guy always this dull?!