Paul Simon - Interview Recorded Live: 7/6/1986 - unknown - , More Paul Simon at Music Vault: www.musicvault.com Subscribe to Music Vault on UA-cam: goo.gl/DUzpUF
Rarely does a musical artist express himself so well and articulately. Love that he honors the late great Phil Ochs. Thank you to Paul. Joy to him and to all who love this cherished soul.
What a great interview this is. The staccato questions in the background and the seemingly "boring" Paul Simon in the foreground. But there's so much richness in his answers and even in his understated appearance. You can feel the soulful joy and (musical) intelligence of this man oozing through the screen. Glad to have found this!
yes,,,,it shows he is a Muician,,,,,, :) not a speaker,he's better at short interview,,,he is a serious dedicated, pioneer in music,,, :) ,,,genius's hate dumb questions,,,,,(from non musicians) lalalalalalala
john sampson glad I'm not the only one! Much like developing his style for music, he wants to be sure that he means what he says. I love that about him.
Yes, I thought the same. Intelligent people always consult their minds before formulating their ideas, and as a listener you have the best version of their thoughts which is so pleasant and demands and earns your attention.
A prolific songwriter. He plucks each note from everywhere and putting them in sequence to create beautiful melodies. Even the lyrics, every word put into phrase and each refrain to connect verses has magic to catch the ears. This is your greatness, Mr. Simon.
This video is great. It may seem slow or “boring” but I actually found it interesting to sit back and just listen to a musician talk. It was fascinating the depth and intelligence of this man, as it felt at times like sitting in a lecture at Berkeley. I particular enjoyed hearing his songwriting process, which was why I was here in the first place. Writing from the Sub-Conscious 👍. Cool video.
Man was gifted with the ability to create n is so exact in his thinking..what a joy to have seen n enjoyed thru all my life his genius n humble nature..God bless him n I thank him for alll the music he has n still is giving the World.❤
I love that Paul Simon allows us (the general public) to see that he is a real person. I saw an interview where the "Leader" of the African National Congress was aloud to address his stance at the time Paul came to record in South Africa ( which was in the height of apartheid) Paul quietly listened to what the gentleman had to say, and what that man said made a lot of sense, and then it was Paul's turn to respond. What he said was amazing in it's simplicity. (I'm paraphrasing here) He said I'm just singer, and if the Government starts to dictate what I can sing about then what I'm doing becomes something else.
Paul is really quite a shy man, I think... A genuine all time genius. Paul, your early work springboard you, to where you are today. Please, don't be dismissive of it. Those are the music I love most. They are timeless... Magnificently sung, with harmony that cannot be repeated by anyone else. You and Art were and are simply sublime. I'm still listening to those early songs today, everyday really. S&G songs has made COVID-19 much more bearable. Thank you both. Stay safe and well. UK.
TIMELESS??? Maybe Bridge over troubled waters? It's Art Garfunkel's VOICE that is timeless. Without Artie, Paul would have just been another nickel and dime act.
@@camioso You have your opinion... I have mine. Correct? ROLLING STONE-1973- "Paul Simon hit the JACKPOT [sic] when Art Garfunkel was born and lived several blocks away. It took Art to make Simon and Garfunkel. This may be arguable, but it's a lot closer to being unarguably".
A great insight into the mind of a modern literary genius. Perfect interview technique, just let him speak in stream of consciousness without constant interruption.
As brilliant as he is and his lyrical content shines, only a mature fan comes to realize how stunning and passionate his knowledge of the guitar was and has become.
Great interview with a legendary musician of depth and intelligence. Paul's explanation of the corporate influence making mainstream music weaker is brilliant. He sums up the problem with top 40 music over the last 30 years.
Listening to this now, perhaps, Paul, your earlier work was your most popular because it was HONEST, topical, unencumbered and spoke to one's soul. Life was more simple back in the 60s in spite of the trails of the age, not just in the USA, but globally. I've never been to the US and I was born in a different country to the one I live in now, but your songs back then (as now) speak to the soul and stir the heart. Your songs transcended politics even though, at the time, I too was a liberal. You are an inspiration. Thank you for the difference you have made to the world - even if now, I'm not politically aligned as you. Stay well.
Paul Simon is one of America's greatest singer , songwriter, composer.History will look up to him as a very influential figure of mindful and personal thought...along side Bob Dylan,John Prine and a few selected of the same ilk.
Zuma , there is an interview of him on David Letterman and even though Paul is always chill you get the feeling he does get irritated pretty easily . It is the one where in the beginning he mentioned something about moving his chair ... I don't know what was going on at that point in his life or maybe it was David Letterman but that is the impression I got that he was a guy whose feathers could get ruffled pretty easily ... even though he would still remain fairly chill
Thanks to the interviewer to let him talk. Some will interrupt and make questions too long and the person had less time to answer. Like they interviewer thought he needed to be heard more then the interviewie. So thank you for that. Mr. Simon is much more articulate than I thought he was going to be. Not that I didn't think he wasn't intelligent, but a lot of artists are more interverts and so have less to say. So this was awesome.
Thank you for sharing your development as an artist. I heard your enchanting song Sounds of Silence in the summer of 1966. My college--St Anselm College --booked you and Art for a concert that Fall. Our gym was packed that night and its memories remain to this day. Your songs filled every inch of that gym and our approval was thunderous. Awesome gift to St A's... an hour and half north of Boston.
Amazing interview! He did an impressive exploration on music from a lot of places around the world and that exhaustive study plus his incredible talent as a songwriter and singer developed him as one of the most important musicians of all time!
Paul Simon and Garfunkel in the park was and is mine and my family's favorite songs/ album. Thank you for sharing this lovely interview. My grandfather's favorite Bridge Over Troubled Water. American Tune is so so beautiful and the audience absolutely loves it. That's the beauty of a live concert.
I could listen to this guy for hours. I've loved his music for a long time, as well as the music of bruce springsteen. Both are huge in the canon of American music, I'm not surprised that Paul might have some reticence in praising the boss............they seem like polar opposites
You can deduce Paul has thought about this for a long time and has integrated his own summarized thoughts and feelings on the subject. This is apparently in lecture form which he has most likely given in a classroom or as a lecture in a large classroom or auditorium sized lecture hall. It is a heavily researched and contemplated intellectual discourse on music expressed with a strong lifelong love and appreciation with the added addition of his natural genius level ability and talent. He has a fine analytical mind and keen emotional expression. Paul has given his whole life to his calling of music and we have been blessed by his creativity and his heartfelt musical creations.
BE WARNED you need to be a Paul Simon enthusiast because he is a slow starter and quite thoughtful. The first question takes 11 minutes in a drip style as he dilutes key movements. The interviewer allows Paul to frame his answers in detail and his pausing style! But it is worth getting beyond the two minute rush grabs we find in our fast paced industry. Morons who cannot handle his egotistical views... it is about him. Good insights if you are patient, Paul’s technical growth etc
@Negus Negast Maybe, but it seems like that would not be a very persuasive argument. What songs have you written that you would cite in support of your argument.
Homeward Bound is way up there on the "best of" in your canon Paul. Sheesh. It's a literal and metaphorical song all at once-amazing artistry. For those being critical about the interview keep in mind Paul Simon has had to live in, endure life in a microscope for decades. Yeah, that might get old. That's not to say he didn't sign up for it, because he did. But in fairness, no one can possibly understand how that must alter your life and skew your views on whatever. I like what Billy Joel said about it years back: you go out on stage, perform your hits, get the crowd worked up, you get worked up, everyone is in a euphoric bubble for a brief time and space, then the show's over, you get in the van, drive away and . . you just slip back into what is your life . . of quiet routines and mundaneness though . . you're a big star at times. Yeah, that would be . . weird. All in all, great insights and reflections in this doc.
He's right about cycles... I mean, look at hip hop in the 90s. Rappers didn't rap to get famous, but it became popular as the movement grew. Now rap is so diluted that there's a lot of hate on "mumble rappers" who just do it for money. Idk how to explain the minimalism we're going through rn in pop music, but it's interesting. I think the next wave of music untapped yet by markets is on UA-cam - musicians are getting popular by doing things that aren't popular to the masses, but are interesting to more niche groups
I extracted the audio from this, and using Audacity, I truncated the silence and it removed the long pauses and the flow from thought to thought is smoother... UA-cam should put such a tool in their platform... Great interview!!!
@John Sampson,Yes he thinks before he talks and you can watch that as you said. I like when encourage he says I'm not that serious. with a smile and a smirk. smile smile
''When the companies get bigger, and the corporations get bigger the music get's blander', and less interesting''. So true Paul. It's even more true today. All about big corporations compressing sound, and manufacturing songs using algorithms these days. Hired hands from corporations writing songs for talentless artists. It's not how it used to be
Zappa said a gem: The old record company execs smoked cigars, wore suits, and would throw money to anyone to make a record - to find out if the public liked that new artist. But that period ended.
Bleeker Street is the most influential song to me and just is the Magnum Opus of their catalogue or Sound of Silence. Their music should always be exalted, both as a duo and as individual artists!
Pauls a bright guy - his analysis of the musical scenes then and now is so true. Today its bland lacks individuality. Probably engineered to be dumb like tv
I agree wholeheartedly. When an artist or band is more concerned about selling their music, then the music itself suffers. Commercialism kills the muse.
I think this guy is one of the greatest singer songwriters ever. When he passes (horrible thought) the world really will lose a true artist of Michael Angelo or Leonardo da Vinci proportions.
Paul says The Boxer is quintessential SandG. I agree but I would add Bleecker St, America, and of course Sounds of Silence. Love how he laughs at himself being so SERIOUS... an affliction. I have to say the questions are driving Paul into technicalities.
Now you know why he is a success - he's a very bright person that worked very hard. And also understandable why he left Art who has a great voice, but perhaps not as driven.
The interviewer was terrible. Paul was very thoughtful and honest in his answers. He was a very talented artist. I miss the Simon and Garfunkel days of music.
Does anyone know where all these interviews came from around the mid 1980s ? It's like someone was making a monster documentary on rock music and never finnished it or maybe it was for a television series.
Paul never felt comfortable talking in interviews and was shy in his early years. He said in some of his interviews he probably never would have done so well without Art. Art was more verbal and outgoing at a younger age. Paul has grown more in his thoughts and can express himself better now.
1975 Still Crazy is released -- a huge selling popular hit album; 1980 One Trick Pony album is released - not a hit album; 1983 - Hearts and Bones is released - not a hit album; 1986 Graceland album is released - a huge super successful big selling iconic album **** so it was 11 years between hit big selling albums for Paul -- he went out on a huge limb with Graceland and he made it because he followed his muse
I'd love to hear Paul do this synopsis again but include 1986 to 2020. His comment about the music of the mid 1980s being guided by what will sell rather than by creativity (and as a result being uninteresting) perfectly describes the X Factor generation of meaningless blandness.
I can honestly say I knew who Paul Simon was musically with There goes Rhymin' Simon Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard, Love me Like a Rock.etc before I knew who the Beatles were. Band On The Run was as important as The Beatles I took guitar lessons to play Paul Simon songs. From 'Rhymin' Simon' Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover And Still Crazy After All These Years
Such a handsome face. Also vulnerable, in a way. One of our greatest. Would like to meet and discuss world literature and poetry. Also the mystery of love. 💐
Hard to believe he's almost 80 years old now . Never thought Dylan was even close to what Simon has achieved. Possibly Gordon Lightfoot his only other equal in the singer / songwriter class . Jimmy Webb could be close to his equal on songwriting .
Paul's talking about writing a political song, American Tune, at 37 minute mark. Wonder what he is thinking and writing today about the politics and what's going on in America.
Rarely does a musical artist express himself so well and articulately. Love that he honors the late great Phil Ochs. Thank you to Paul. Joy to him and to all who love this cherished soul.
One of the greatest songwriters of all time.
Paul Simon sure is. He is a legend.
@Lane Marlon I just tried it and not only did it not work, my computer was hijacked with ransomware. Avoid!
...the greatest. This is not debatable.
God said Paul Simon is the GOAT.
@Lane Marlon you're right. No one cares, bot.
As far as legends go....up there with the Beatles and Stones.
Genuine man, not trying to impress anybody, thoughtful, clear, great artist.
What a great interview this is. The staccato questions in the background and the seemingly "boring" Paul Simon in the foreground. But there's so much richness in his answers and even in his understated appearance. You can feel the soulful joy and (musical) intelligence of this man oozing through the screen. Glad to have found this!
This is like a university lecture in musicology
yes,,,,it shows he is a Muician,,,,,, :) not a speaker,he's better at short interview,,,he is a serious dedicated, pioneer in music,,, :) ,,,genius's hate dumb questions,,,,,(from non musicians) lalalalalalala
@@sherlockholmeslives.1605 That's because you're only used to your ex-wife.
@@sherlockholmeslives.1605 Please be kind enough to tell me about it.
@@sherlockholmeslives.1605 O gosh, I understand now. My joke wasn't for you at all. It was for some dude that says PS is boring. Sorry, Mike.
My thoughts exactly during the first few minutes.
Love the way he thinks first what he is about to say. Fascinating to listen to........
john sampson glad I'm not the only one! Much like developing his style for music, he wants to be sure that he means what he says. I love that about him.
He kinda looks like he's boring himself though
Yes, I thought the same. Intelligent people always consult their minds before formulating their ideas, and as a listener you have the best version of their thoughts which is so pleasant and demands and earns your attention.
He is deep in thought. He considers everything that everyone says to him.
@@balthasardenner5216 he's probably heard it all before?
The best Paul Simon interview ever. This man is completely amazing.
A prolific songwriter. He plucks each note from everywhere and putting them in sequence to create beautiful melodies. Even the lyrics, every word put into phrase and each refrain to connect verses has magic to catch the ears. This is your greatness, Mr. Simon.
One of the most thoughtful and well spoken musician / songwriters of our time.
He is a crap speaker! Please see my comment above.
@@sherlockholmeslives.1605 Nah We don’t want to. Rather listen to Paul talk thanks.
Paul Simon is a genuine artist and a world scholar.
A WORLD SCHOLAR?!?!
#AZIZ....A WORLD SCHOLAR? What planet are you from?
This video is great. It may seem slow or “boring” but I actually found it interesting to sit back and just listen to a musician talk. It was fascinating the depth and intelligence of this man, as it felt at times like sitting in a lecture at Berkeley. I particular enjoyed hearing his songwriting process, which was why I was here in the first place. Writing from the Sub-Conscious 👍. Cool video.
Man was gifted with the ability to create n is so exact in his thinking..what a joy to have seen n enjoyed thru all my life his genius n humble nature..God bless him n I thank him for alll the music he has n still is giving the World.❤
I love that Paul Simon allows us (the general public) to see that he is a real person. I saw an interview where the "Leader" of the African National Congress was aloud to address his stance at the time Paul came to record in South Africa ( which was in the height of apartheid) Paul quietly listened to what the gentleman had to say, and what that man said made a lot of sense, and then it was Paul's turn to respond. What he said was amazing in it's simplicity. (I'm paraphrasing here) He said I'm just singer, and if the Government starts to dictate what I can sing about then what I'm doing becomes something else.
This man is brilliant.
Paul is really quite a shy man, I think... A genuine all time genius. Paul, your early work springboard you, to where you are today. Please, don't be dismissive of it. Those are the music I love most. They are timeless... Magnificently sung, with harmony that cannot be repeated by anyone else. You and Art were and are simply sublime. I'm still listening to those early songs today, everyday really. S&G songs has made COVID-19 much more bearable. Thank you both. Stay safe and well. UK.
TIMELESS??? Maybe Bridge over troubled waters? It's Art Garfunkel's VOICE that is timeless. Without Artie, Paul would have just been another nickel and dime act.
@@billgoldstein4215 Stop baiting
@@camioso You have your opinion... I have mine. Correct? ROLLING STONE-1973- "Paul Simon hit the JACKPOT [sic] when Art Garfunkel was born and lived several blocks away. It took Art to make Simon and Garfunkel. This may be arguable, but it's a lot closer to being unarguably".
A great insight into the mind of a modern literary genius. Perfect interview technique, just let him speak in stream of consciousness without constant interruption.
As brilliant as he is and his lyrical content shines, only a mature fan comes to realize how stunning and passionate his knowledge of the guitar was and has become.
What a great mind.
Thank you for posting & sharing. Paul Simon has contributed a tremendous body of work & has touched & brought joy to many people around the world.
I love you and that's all I know, Paul Simon
Everyone LOVES Paul... Think it's his INFJ Songs are so inspiring...?
Haha. I caught the Art Garfunkel quote. 🇨🇦
Great quote& all that needs 2 B said.
@@lousmith1107What does INFJ means?
Dreaming out loud, ..authentic and substantial
Love how articulate he is. Really enjoying and finding his musical influences fascinating.
Great interview with a legendary musician of depth and intelligence. Paul's explanation of the corporate influence making mainstream music weaker is brilliant. He sums up the problem with top 40 music over the last 30 years.
i love his
voice and his music...
This interview says it all on how he became a really brilliant songwriter! I like this man!
His intelligence shines through
Listening to this now, perhaps, Paul, your earlier work was your most popular because it was HONEST, topical, unencumbered and spoke to one's soul. Life was more simple back in the 60s in spite of the trails of the age, not just in the USA, but globally. I've never been to the US and I was born in a different country to the one I live in now, but your songs back then (as now) speak to the soul and stir the heart. Your songs transcended politics even though, at the time, I too was a liberal. You are an inspiration. Thank you for the difference you have made to the world - even if now, I'm not politically aligned as you. Stay well.
Paul Simon is one of America's greatest singer , songwriter, composer.History will look up to him as a very influential figure of mindful and personal thought...along side Bob Dylan,John Prine and a few selected of the same ilk.
Man, is this guy calm/chill/dry/methodical. I bet he never gets high blood pressure. Love this interview.
Zuma , there is an interview of him on David Letterman and even though Paul is always chill you get the feeling he does get irritated pretty easily .
It is the one where in the beginning he mentioned something about moving his chair ... I don't know what was going on at that point in his life or maybe it was David Letterman but that is the impression I got that he was a guy whose feathers could get ruffled pretty easily ... even though he would still remain fairly chill
Very nice interview, thank you for all the music Mr. Simon.
Paul Simon comes across as the most sane and down to earth artist I’ve heard. Genuinely likable
A living Legend and a musician to be remembered in future. Am personally thankful for having listened to his music and still do
Thanks to the interviewer to let him talk. Some will interrupt and make questions too long and the person had less time to answer. Like they interviewer thought he needed to be heard more then the interviewie. So thank you for that.
Mr. Simon is much more articulate than I thought he was going to be. Not that I didn't think he wasn't intelligent, but a lot of artists are more interverts and so have less to say. So this was awesome.
Thank you for sharing your development as an artist. I heard your enchanting song Sounds of Silence in the summer of 1966. My college--St Anselm College --booked you and Art for a concert that Fall. Our gym was packed that night and its memories remain to this day. Your songs filled every inch of that gym and our approval was thunderous. Awesome gift to St A's... an hour and half north of Boston.
BRILLIANT
What he accomplished in South Africa will be talked about for generations!
Graceland is such an amazing album touches your soul its pure electric. Could be best of all time.
Absolute n.º 1 Songwriter.
Thank you. Amazing interview by a true thinker. Coincidentally, Simon was the first influence of my musical awakening.
Amazing interview! He did an impressive exploration on music from a lot of places around the world and that exhaustive study plus his incredible talent as a songwriter and singer developed him as one of the most important musicians of all time!
Paul Simon and Garfunkel in the park was and is mine and my family's favorite songs/ album. Thank you for sharing this lovely interview. My grandfather's favorite Bridge Over Troubled Water. American Tune is so so beautiful and the audience absolutely loves it. That's the beauty of a live concert.
I met this man in Memphis briefly and really until I heard this interview I had no idea how well versed and intelligent this man was or became.
35:38 Is a favorite point with him smiling at how serious he sounds.
Paul Simon probably could have been successful in any number of fields other than music, because he's so intelligent. Good thing he chose music.
He is so articulate and knowledgeable
I could listen to this guy for hours. I've loved his music for a long time, as well as the music of bruce springsteen. Both are huge in the canon of American music, I'm not surprised that Paul might have some reticence in praising the boss............they seem like polar opposites
The 2 Pauls the best songwriters
You can deduce Paul has thought about this for a long time and has integrated his own summarized thoughts and feelings on the subject. This is apparently in lecture form which he has most likely given in a classroom or as a lecture in a large classroom or auditorium sized lecture hall. It is a heavily researched and contemplated intellectual discourse on music expressed with a strong lifelong love and appreciation with the added addition of his natural genius level ability and talent. He has a fine analytical mind and keen emotional expression. Paul has given his whole life to his calling of music and we have been blessed by his creativity and his heartfelt musical creations.
BE WARNED you need to be a Paul Simon enthusiast because he is a slow starter and quite thoughtful. The first question takes 11 minutes in a drip style as he dilutes key movements. The interviewer allows Paul to frame his answers in detail and his pausing style! But it is worth getting beyond the two minute rush grabs we find in our fast paced industry. Morons who cannot handle his egotistical views... it is about him. Good insights if you are patient, Paul’s technical growth etc
Paul Simon reflecting on his own life in an interview isn't egotism.
If he spent the interview dissecting his fellow musicians, that would be.
what a smart guy
Arguably, the greatest living songwriter.
@Negus Negast I'm sure he probably is but that doesn't affect my argument.
@Negus Negast Maybe, but it seems like that would not be a very persuasive argument. What songs have you written that you would cite in support of your argument.
Dylan!
very arguably....he was a Putz
VERY, VERY arguably
He has perfect features . gorgeous
Such an intelligent man just compare this interview compared to other musicians who usually speak 4-5 words and can’t speak those well
Homeward Bound is way up there on the "best of" in your canon Paul. Sheesh. It's a literal and metaphorical song all at once-amazing artistry. For those being critical about the interview keep in mind Paul Simon has had to live in, endure life in a microscope for decades. Yeah, that might get old. That's not to say he didn't sign up for it, because he did. But in fairness, no one can possibly understand how that must alter your life and skew your views on whatever. I like what Billy Joel said about it years back: you go out on stage, perform your hits, get the crowd worked up, you get worked up, everyone is in a euphoric bubble for a brief time and space, then the show's over, you get in the van, drive away and . . you just slip back into what is your life . . of quiet routines and mundaneness though . . you're a big star at times. Yeah, that would be . . weird. All in all, great insights and reflections in this doc.
You can tell by the way he speaks he’s highly intelligent.
looks like he has too many drugs to me
He's right about cycles... I mean, look at hip hop in the 90s. Rappers didn't rap to get famous, but it became popular as the movement grew. Now rap is so diluted that there's a lot of hate on "mumble rappers" who just do it for money. Idk how to explain the minimalism we're going through rn in pop music, but it's interesting. I think the next wave of music untapped yet by markets is on UA-cam - musicians are getting popular by doing things that aren't popular to the masses, but are interesting to more niche groups
I know what I know... Paul Simon is a legend
Charles Finley just...no
I have said what I have said....
Paul Simon sung the first song I remember.... 50 ways. I love this dude too....
He’s been around since rock took off in the 50s so has seen it all. I love his music, lyrics are amazing, voice is so effortless.
I extracted the audio from this, and using Audacity, I truncated the silence and it removed the long pauses and the flow from thought to thought is smoother... UA-cam should put such a tool in their platform... Great interview!!!
WBC Jenison Pulpit & Teaching It would just make it less human.
I prefer to watch in the entire context because you get the feel of the person more.
The pauses and extended silences are what make the interview.
Brilliant interview.
MTV in the 80s to Instagram and the rest of today’s social media being the new machine
One of his best interviews.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼✨Fantastic Paul Simon!✨🎆🤩
@John Sampson,Yes he thinks before he talks and you can watch that as you said. I like when encourage he says I'm not that serious. with a smile and a smirk. smile smile
''When the companies get bigger, and the corporations get bigger the music get's blander', and less interesting''. So true Paul. It's even more true today. All about big corporations compressing sound, and manufacturing songs using algorithms these days. Hired hands from corporations writing songs for talentless artists. It's not how it used to be
Zappa said a gem: The old record company execs smoked cigars, wore suits, and would throw money to anyone to make a record - to find out if the public liked that new artist. But that period ended.
Well chosen words. This was fascinating.
And a joyous human element you are, Mr. Paul Simon.
It’s funny that all the most replayed moments are when he’s drinking water 😂
Genius just love him and his cute smile .I could listen to him all day love his voice .he is brilliant
Bleeker Street is the most influential song to me and just is the Magnum Opus of their catalogue or Sound of Silence. Their music should always be exalted, both as a duo and as individual artists!
Pauls a bright guy - his analysis of the musical scenes then and now is so true. Today its bland lacks individuality. Probably engineered to be dumb like tv
I agree wholeheartedly. When an artist or band is more concerned about selling their music, then the music itself suffers. Commercialism kills the muse.
From melodic in a diatonic sense to melodic in a chromatic sense is such a great leap in musical dexterity. Jazz is such an example.
I think this guy is one of the greatest singer songwriters ever. When he passes (horrible thought) the world really will lose a true artist of Michael Angelo or Leonardo da Vinci proportions.
Yes but is Michelangelo all together.
#beddeasby6323 Michelangelo?!?? Leonardo da Vinci ?!?? What planet are you from Dude? I guess you might as well add Mozart and Johnny Mercer too.
@billgoldstein4215 go shit on someone else’s parade numbnuts!
Wow...deep subject...hope I fall in.
.It's a turn-around jump shot
It's everybody jump start
It's every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.
He is one of mine.
Was it just me or was he being extremely polite about Bruce Springsteen at the end there?
Paul says The Boxer is quintessential SandG. I agree but I would add Bleecker St, America, and of course Sounds of Silence. Love how he laughs at himself being so SERIOUS... an affliction. I have to say the questions are driving Paul into technicalities.
Now you know why he is a success - he's a very bright person that worked very hard. And also understandable why he left Art who has a great voice, but perhaps not as driven.
Very deep!!!!
There is a lot of subjects and thoughts going on in this interview.
Bang on. Almost 30 years ago. Musicians making songs that SELL
The Paul Simon songbook taught me guitar - I wanted to play like him Graceland did it thankyou Paul
I think I'm going to like this interview.😊
The interviewer was terrible. Paul was very thoughtful and honest in his answers. He was a very talented artist. I miss the Simon and Garfunkel days of music.
Does anyone know where all these interviews came from around the mid 1980s ? It's like someone was making a monster documentary on rock music and never finnished it or maybe it was for a television series.
Paul Simon, in increasing notes of a scale in a song, I think was best shown in 'Still Crazy After All these Years.' Check Paul with Dick Cavet 75ish
Watching again I see were your question comes from.
Paul
Paul never felt comfortable talking in interviews and was shy in his early years. He said in some of his interviews he probably never would have done so well without Art. Art was more verbal and outgoing at a younger age. Paul has grown more in his thoughts and can express himself better now.
The selling process is now more important than the creative process, and the popular music is more bland and irrelevant than it has ever been.
Poignant statement friend
1975 Still Crazy is released -- a huge selling popular hit album; 1980 One Trick Pony album is released - not a hit album; 1983 - Hearts and Bones is released - not a hit album; 1986 Graceland album is released - a huge super successful big selling iconic album **** so it was 11 years between hit big selling albums for Paul -- he went out on a huge limb with Graceland and he made it because he followed his muse
I'd love to hear Paul do this synopsis again but include 1986 to 2020. His comment about the music of the mid 1980s being guided by what will sell rather than by creativity (and as a result being uninteresting) perfectly describes the X Factor generation of meaningless blandness.
Could you imagine Paul Simon listening to a Black Flag record?
Any time corporations get involved in anything, quality goes down and cost goes up.
I bookmark this as a sleeping aid. Not joking. I just let it play 5 minutes and I'm OUT. G'nite ya'll
Library of Congress, get you a CONCORDANCE ASAP
Hes totally correct well said paul
I can honestly say I knew who Paul Simon was musically with There goes Rhymin' Simon Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard, Love me Like a Rock.etc before I knew who the Beatles were. Band On The Run was as important as The Beatles I took guitar lessons to play Paul Simon songs. From 'Rhymin' Simon'
Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover And Still Crazy After All These Years
Such a handsome face. Also vulnerable, in a way. One of our greatest. Would like to meet and discuss world literature and poetry. Also the mystery of love. 💐
35:20 is the truth. If you aren't laughing it's not worth it.
Hard to believe he's almost 80 years old now . Never thought Dylan was even close to what Simon has achieved. Possibly Gordon Lightfoot his only other equal in the singer / songwriter class . Jimmy Webb could be close to his equal on songwriting .
I'm listening to him, but i can't help wondering going on with him during this interview.
Paul's talking about writing a political song, American Tune, at 37 minute mark. Wonder what he is thinking and writing today about the politics and what's going on in America.
Paul Simon is 45 years old here -- he does not look it at all -- he looks way younger
He is right about corporate influence. On music..and almost everything else too