So Beautiful or So What

1. linclink

   Apr 12, 2011

   10

   Paul Simon's last album "Surprise" ended up being my favorite album of that decade. It was his best work since 1990's "Rhythm Of The Saints".Paul Simon's last album "Surprise" ended up being my favorite album of that decade. It was his best work since 1990's "Rhythm Of The Saints". "So Beautiful Or So What" is as great an album as that. This makes a two album run, from 2006-2011, by Simon that is on par with his "Bookends" & "Bridge Over Troubled Water) run with Simon & Garfunkel, from 1968-1970, or his "Hearts & Bones" to "Graceland" to "Rhythm Of the Saints" solo run from 1983 to 1990. The album is as eclectic as Simon's best & most ambitious works. He & Phil Ramone have still given it a cohesive feel that is as sublime as they often are subtle. Though it comes from a different angle than the Brian Eno collaboration "Surprise" it is nearly as neo-Psychedelic again in the multi-layered depths of sonic thrills that always serve songwriting of the highest order. With these two albums I can safely say that there is simply no one, elder statesman, or newer artist, that is putting out work this challenging & yet accessible, and is as thrilling as it is nourishing. The rock critic Bill Flanagan quoted Elvis Costello, who wrote the liner notes for the album, as saying that this is the best album of the last 15 years. To that I'd add that I'm betting that this early on I've found what will most likely be my favorite album of this decade...that is unless...Paul Simon equals himself again before it's done. And having seen him in 2006, and judging by the recent live performances to promote the new album, he is also still a live force to be reckoned with. He's touring in small halls & clubs with a large band at reasonable prices. He's cut out sugar, caffeine, alcohol, dairy & doesn't smoke either- all in the interest of keeping himself in top condition for recording & performing. Thanks Paul. My advice to anyone out there is to get this album & give it a chance, and do whatever you have to do to catch him on this tour. It's hard to believe that he'll turn 70 this October. With his life choices, and the vitality & magic of the music he's making he seems ageless, and as one marvels at the glorious results of his efforts, you have to wonder if he might not just be able to keep it going on indefinitely. BTW- he's mentioned that he's been recording with his wife Edie Brickell recently. One hopes a full album might come to fruition there, thus breaking yet more new ground for both of them. Check out the video of their duet working with Willie Nelson backing them on "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain".… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
2. zmleslie

   Dec 30, 2011

   10

   Paul Simon's latest album is a surprise hit, no question about it. Not only is it his best creative effort in decades (if not, some of hisPaul Simon's latest album is a surprise hit, no question about it. Not only is it his best creative effort in decades (if not, some of his most creative works in his vast discography), it proves that after being in the music industry for over 40 years, he still remains a highly relevant musician and song-writer in this day and age.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. LeadBox

   May 13, 2011

   10

   Dealing with reflections over life, â

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5. JohnL

   Apr 16, 2011

   10

   I'm blown away. I loved the last album, "Surprise", and was concerned as to how he'd possibly follow it up. I needn't have worried. This isI'm blown away. I loved the last album, "Surprise", and was concerned as to how he'd possibly follow it up. I needn't have worried. This is equally as stunning in a different manner. It's an album that is as subtle as is it is sublime. I'm going to be catching him live, two nights in a row & I hope we get to hear lots of songs from this album. I doubt I'll hear anything as stunning this year, if not this decade.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
6. john_stuart

   May 19, 2011

   9

   As I've gotten older, I've often wondered what would happen to the surviving icons of my youth, which happily coincided one of the greatestAs I've gotten older, I've often wondered what would happen to the surviving icons of my youth, which happily coincided one of the greatest explosions of creativity in the history of music, the Dylan- and Beatles-led pop/rock revolution of the 60's. Would they become nostalgia acts, like the doo-wop package tours that hit amusement parks and beachside venues every summer? Would they becoming little more than diligent miners of their youth, continually re-working their old songs in modestly different styles: orchestral, acoustic, etc.? Some of his contemporaries have followed these paths, but if any see fit to emulate Paul Simon, now pushing 70 yet still creating music as vital and urgent as the work of his 20s and 30s, then we can still look forward to many wonderful things from his fellow aging Boomers.
   
   Simon's latest offering, typically long-in-the-making, does not stray far from his time-tested formula of gentle folk-rock spiced with influences from a global and ever-wider circle of musical influences. At his worst, Simon's songs can seem lazy and inconsequential, but at his best, as on every track of this new album, the music flows with effortless grace and the lyrics are full of wry wisdom. This is Simon's must sorrowful album, suffused with references to death, war, god, and the regrets, common to all human beings, that gather around personal failures. At the same time, there is a sense of peaceful (yet hard-won) acceptance of life's limitations ("It seems like our fate / To suffer and wait / For the knowledge that we seek"), while quietly savoring the sweet moments with good humor.
   
   In short, "So Beautiful Or So What" is the confident, contemplative work of an old master who has not become deaf to his muses, but is instead still using his art to make sense of the world and his own life. It is a great gift to anyone with ears to listen. May Simon continue to share his extraordinary musical talent and philosophical insights with us for many years to come, before he has to "stand in that line / Just to glimpse the Divine ..."… Expand

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7. Comrade_Critic

   Apr 13, 2011

   9

   I can't believe my favorite album of 2011 so far was put out by a 69 year old. There's a couple songs on this album that I'm not huge on, butI can't believe my favorite album of 2011 so far was put out by a 69 year old. There's a couple songs on this album that I'm not huge on, but overall this is Simon's most solid record since Graceland. If you're a Paul Simon fan you won't be disappointed with So Beautiful or So What. If you're a fan of good music, you won't be either.… Expand

   • 1 of 3 users found this helpful
8. gimmedatsammich

   Jun 1, 2011

   3

   Gotta say, I was seriously disappointed by this album. It seems Paul has become more of a poet than a singer. The only song in "So BeautifulGotta say, I was seriously disappointed by this album. It seems Paul has become more of a poet than a singer. The only song in "So Beautiful or So What" that was even remotely catchy was "Getting Ready for Christmas." The rest just seemed like poems set to dreadfully boring musical accompaniments. I know this sounds very harsh, but this album is laughable compared to the masterpiece that was "Graceland" (my favorite record of all time.) You could actually sing along to the tracks in "Graceland". Not so in SBOSW. The only thing this album is good for is for putting you to sleep.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful

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