There Goes Rhymin' Simon

Amazon.com essential recording
In the early '70s, Paul Simon sounded old before his time: while his harder-rocking peers were hanging on to themes of youthful rebellion and romantic obsession, Simon, already a pop veteran who'd notched records since his teens, focused on the smaller details and defining quirks of real life. His second solo album finds him regarding the passage of time and the fragility of relationships with his usual mix of smart-aleck observations and gentler, more deeply felt melancholy. "Kodachrome" was a breezy delight upon its release that now sounds prescient in its backwards glance at myths of youth, "An American Tune" sustains its mood of graceful maturity against a Bach-inspired guitar arrangement that's still gorgeous, and "Something So Right" remains Simon's most luminous declaration of love. Actually produced in varied studios with shifting session bands (including the chameleons in the Muscle Shoals Sound section), the set also introduced the Roches and notched Simon's first plunge into gospel on "Loves Me Like A Rock." --Sam Sutherland

There Goes Rhymin' Simon,Paul Simon,Warner Bros / Wea,Album Rock,Folk-Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock

There Goes Rhymin' Simon

Average customer rating:

Better than I remember!
a definitive album from wonderful Paul Simon......
my favorite paul simon album.
Simon finds his footing as a solo artist
Top Quality album

There Goes Rhymin' Simon
Paul Simon
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00024WYKS
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Kodachrome
Tenderness
Take Me To The Mardi Gras
Something So Right
One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor
American Tune
Was A Sunny Day
Learn How To Fall
St. Judy's Comet
Loves Me Like A Rock
Let Me Live In Your City
Take Me To The Mardi Gras
American Tune
Loves Me Like A Rock

Amazon.com essential recording

In the early '70s, Paul Simon sounded old before his time: while his harder-rocking peers were hanging on to themes of youthful rebellion and romantic obsession, Simon, already a pop veteran who'd notched records since his teens, focused on the smaller details and defining quirks of real life. His second solo album finds him regarding the passage of time and the fragility of relationships with his usual mix of smart-aleck observations and gentler, more deeply felt melancholy. "Kodachrome" was a breezy delight upon its release that now sounds prescient in its backwards glance at myths of youth, "An American Tune" sustains its mood of graceful maturity against a Bach-inspired guitar arrangement that's still gorgeous, and "Something So Right" remains Simon's most luminous declaration of love. Actually produced in varied studios with shifting session bands (including the chameleons in the Muscle Shoals Sound section), the set also introduced the Roches and notched Simon's first plunge into gospel on "Loves Me Like A Rock." --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Better than I remember!.......2007-06-29

I had this album a couple of decades ago and loved it then. Of course, being an irresponsible young man the vinyl got buckled and I eventually forgot all about it. When I saw the album again on Amazon, I just had to get it - and it's been worth it! Every bit as good as I remember, with such wonderful musical nuances and thought-provoking lyrics. The start of my road back to Paul Simon music.

a definitive album from wonderful Paul Simon.............2007-06-08

I couldn't help but notice that someone from Amazon had added a tag suggestion for THERE GOES RHYMIN' SIMON, calling it one of the definitive 200 albums. That sounds right to me and I'll tell you why. RHYMIN' SIMON was only Paul Simon's second solo album after breaking up with Garfunkel, and he shows such depth as a musician, as well as a songwriter. This isn't just Paul Simon banging away on the guitar in defiance, spurting sharp words about his cynicism for life. He has a full band backing him up while he is spurting sharp words about his cyncism for life (oh, and love, too). Yet, this doesn't grow derivative to my ears. Simon's at his witty, intelligent and unaffected best, here. The album kicks off on a high note with "Kodachrome." Who couldn't take notice of a song that begins with the lines, "If I thought back on all the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all." That hooked me back when I was in high school, and I couldn't agree more. Plus, it has a wonderful, up-tempo piano riff, menacing in the background, just in case the lyrics aren't enough to sustain your attention . RHYMIN' SIMON succeeds in presenting very diverse sounds, with a real soul (and even gospel) influence. The songs that stick out for me the most are "One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor," and "Loves Me Like a Rock." The allbum presented a great group called The Roaches, and I remember distinctly the soul sound of his back-up singers carrying this album out into the southern flavored sounds from the bayous and up into new territory. It sounded beautiful, just really unexpected.

my favorite paul simon album........2007-03-13

i love "graceland" for all its creativity and big-hearted soul, but "there goes rhymin' simon" is still my favorite paul simon achievement. this is a work of utter perfection from beginning to end, which could serve as a blueprint for the art of songwriting and pop music production. each song is a literate, tasteful gem of songcraft. the music is stunning in it's beauty and the overall sound is a wonder of production. the musicianship exquisite, each note seemingly placed just as is required by the songs themselves. the great gospel group "the dixie hummingbirds" appear on a couple of tunes, adding their wonderous harmony to the mix. also of note; richard davis, who plays such classic acoustic bass on van morrison's "astral weeks", appears here, playing acoustic bass on "something so right." this is a classic american album that has stood the test of time. songcraft seldom reaches this peak of excellence.

Simon finds his footing as a solo artist.......2007-01-28

Simon's second solo album regained the confidence and self-assurance that he'd developed as part of Simon & Garfunkel. His musical excursions here include bluesy doo-wop, New Orleans pop, gospel and Memphis soul, all filtered through his writerly compositions. Simon deftly choreographed an impressive guest list that includes The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Roches, horns arranged by Alan Toussaint, and strings arranged by Quincy Jones. His mastery weaves multiple studios and backing bands (including the players of Muscle Shoals) into a surprisingly cohesive album.

In addition to the hits ("Kodachrome" and "Love Me Like a Rock"), Simon produced an album full of memorable songs that are clearly apart from his former work with Garfunkel. The brass party on "Take Me to the Mardi Gras," gospel backing vocals of "Tenderness," Jamaican stylings of "Sunny Day," and country underpinnings of "St. Judy's Comet" are fresh elements in Simon's catalog, and even the Garfunkel-esque "American Tune" feels like a declaration of independence with Simon singing unaccompanied.

The 2004 reissue of this title features a crisp remaster by Bill Inglot that shows off the album's terrific original engineering (courtesy of Phil Ramone and Jerry Masters), along with four acoustic demos as bonus tracks. The extras are educational, but none compare with Simon's finished masters. For Simon's fans, this is a must-have; but even those who've gone the greatest hits route should think about including this album in their collection. [©2007 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Top Quality album.......2006-11-03

The songs remind me of the early seventies. One of Paul's best solo album. Kodachrome, Loves me like a rock, Mardi Gras and other great tracks. This is a good 'Ryhthm' album. Better than his first solo album.

Kevin

Average customer rating:

In the pocket
A bigger hit than the debut!
Now the years are rolling by me
ouch
Fun, Quirky, Serious...Rhymin' Simon

There Goes Rhymin' Simon
Paul Simon
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Still Crazy After All These Years
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Paul Simon

ASIN: B000002LBW
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Kodachrome
Tenderness
Take Me To The Mardi Gras
Something So Right
One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor
American Tune
Was A Sunny Day
Learn How To Fall
St. Judy's Comet
Loves Me Like A Rock

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

In the pocket.......2005-10-25

Along with the also heartfelt Hearts and Bones, one of Paul's
slightly overlooked records that was "in the pocket". So soft
and tender it can make you cry. Rubbed off the needle on the record player as the gentle melodies whirled into memories.

A bigger hit than the debut!.......2005-03-30

Paul Simon scored more hits with this album than his 1972 solo debut. There are four Top 20 hits which are KODACHROME,a trademark for Kodak's color film,ST. JUDY COMET,LOVES ME LIKE A ROCK and SOMETHING SO RIGHT. All songs appeared on NEGOTIATIONS AND LOVE SONGS 1971-1986,released in 1988. The other songs are good. On the cover is a photo of a teenage Paul Simon,circa 1950's.

Now the years are rolling by me.......2003-12-05

For me this is Paul Simon at his best, with excellent performances of American Tune, Duncan or The Boxer. This Boxer is actually my favourite version of the song, including those he used to perform with Garfunkel. Featuring an impressive combination of andean instruments played by the Peruvian group Urubamba, it also includes the "original" but rarely performed, additional verse (Now the years are rolling by me...), and the famous flute interlude which replaced this verse in the classic S&G versions is wisely moved to the end, resulting in a memorable closing to the cut.

If you like the blend of gospel sound with Paul's music, he also brought the Jessy Dixon Singers to this live performance, offering a new and stimulating approach to songs like Sound of Silence or Bridge over Troubled Water.

I would say this is a good product for those who feel less enthusiastic about Paul Simon's solo career when compared to the good old days with Garfunkel; it is a good example of Paul's talent and includes classics such as America or Homeward Bound. Very good.

ouch.......2003-12-04

my least favorite simon album. the writing is forced and inconsistent. not very good.

Fun, Quirky, Serious...Rhymin' Simon.......2003-04-06

The first thing that occurs to me about this album is that Paul Simon is written all over it. Well, not literally, but I really enjoy this album because it almost seems like the prototypical Simon album. Well no, each of his solo albums have been so unique. But anyway, "Rhymin' Simon" has just about everything you could ask for, this time around with a really great gospel-ish slant. So, let's see what we have here:
-Kodachrome: the commercial hit of the album, and it's a great song; fun, upbeat, and truly unique. It's a classic; there's no other saong like it...and I love the lyrics--this man could write a song about AnYthinG.
-Tenderness: Here's some of the gospel element (thanks to the Dixie Hummingbirds--they rule), a slower, more pensive song dealing with a reality of human relationships--now you've got to love the way he writes songs not about "LOVE" but you know, tenderness/brutal honesty/truth...
-...Mardi Gras: Here's a little Cajun flair, a song that I almost wish would move more, but it's fun and an interesting departure for Simon.
-Something So Right: Pretty...honest reflection on personality/relationships...but too lush and produced for my tast.
-One Man's Ceiling...: I love this song. My favorite on side one (ok, I admit I'm sticking to the LP) Simon sounds sOUlful on this, man...gospel-y, fun, but not ToO fun :) The title sums up the song, which is a quirky little insight but works amazingly well for the topic of a song!
-American Tune: I think this is a very beautiful song, a really simple melody, weary, almost timeless I think. The words are simple but powerful (though some say pretentious). But this is not pretentious--it's indescribably 'what it is.' Oh well, the bridge is my favorite part, it's earnest but never cloying. HOWEVER, I wish they could LAY OFF THE STRING SECTION!Find a live version, simpler=better for this song, in my opinion.
-Was a Sunny Day: This song sounds quite perky, but it's eerie. An odd little story of a "navy man" and a "high school queen," but it fits. I like this song...I admit I like the way he says "speedooo." You've gotta love the way this dude says his vowels :)
-...How to Fall: a good solid LESSON, but come on, it's a nice song...great dark beginning, then melts away, then back...
-St. Judy's Comet: I adore this song. I'm a sap, but I do. NOT that it's a sappy song, I'm just a sap that a song about his kid can get me like this one does...anyway, it's a great tune, sounding almost reminiscent of the later "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"...except more wholesome because this is an endearingly self-critical bedtime song for the kid. ("'Cause if I can't sing my boy to sleep, well it makes your famous daddy look so dumb...") Low key but it moves...very nice.
-Loves me Like a Rock: I always think of this as the companion song to "Kodachrome"--they're almost like one song in my mind. This song is awesome: more gospel influence, Simon's really getting into it, and the words have that funny-serious feeling that unifies all the songs on this album.