Paul Simon

I had not realized that this was Paul Simon’s first recording after breaking with Art Garfunkel. One can wonder what his voice might had added to the sound. That said, Paul carries on in what is beginning to end a beautiful disk. Cut after cut presents soft rock at its finest. No head banging but complex mixes of county guitar and fiddle, a taste of the Latin and international sound that will come later. Do not let the term soft rock fool you. Paul Simon is a message kinda man and if you dare to listen your brain will be engaged.Peace Like a River come close to being a classic 70’s radical protest song. (You can beat us with wire you can beat us with chains but you just can’t out run the History Train) But it is not angry and it is unclear who is being challenged. Paranoia Blues is almost whimsical, but there is a challenge that you if are to be the singer’s friend you have to know he expects his friends to take his side. Papa Hobo, begins with a complaint about pollution and become an appeal for the working poor: Sweep upI been sweeping up the tips I've madeI been living on GatoradePlanning my getawayDetroit, DetroitGot a **l of a hockey teamGot a left-handed wayOf making a man sign up on thatAutomotive dream, oh yeah, oh yeahOf the all-time Paul Simon standards, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard shines on this disk and Duncan is among my most favorite and Run that Body Down is wicked fun.My summation: The clean, complex sound beautifully underwrites some great thinking person’s lyrics. You do not have a Paul Simon collection without the Paul Simon CD.

I was familiar with a few of these tracks from various greatest hits collection, but the rest of the tracks are priceless. This album is so much better than its hits. Even the subtle songs that don't seem that significant at first end up being the ones I'm whistling in the shower. I'm surprised that Peace Like A River didn't get more airplay back in the day, because it is phenomenal. It was a good hit for him and you can find some great live versions on Youtube.I usually just play an album end to end and then move on, but quite a few of these tracks really beg to be replayed a couple of times before moving on to the next one.One other nice surprise from this album is the Amazon pricing with AutoRip. I usually don't buy CDs anymore and just buy the MP3 album from Amazon, but this CD was cheaper than the MP3 album and it included AutoRip. So I was able to instantly add it to my Amazon Cloud account and then the CD came in the mail a few days later. Nice!

The album started off strong with "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Duncan", Along with a solid song in "Peace Like A River" but that's about it. Every other track is too similar sound and just doesn't stand out IMO. It's almost too Paul Simon sounding for Paul Simon and lacks the creativity that he usually has with his solo albums. It seems very stripped down and that's not really a good thing.

I've loved this album for decades but never had a chance to pick it up. Finally, after 47 years, I got my chance, and it was well worth it. What a great album for Simon to release to initiate his solo career. "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" has never sounded better!

Long a personal favorite, I was pleased to pick up this remastered and expanded version of the album. No need to dwell on the record itself, per se, but must note that the demos of "Duncan" and "Me and Julio" are revelations - in the case of "Duncan" it is virtually a different song and provides a fascinating look behind one of my favorite Simon songs. You can hear it evolving right before your ears - and it started off pretty good to begin with. The demo of "Julio" is less startling, but the "old" lyrics are a kick and the solo acoustic version is bouncy and intimate. In all, this is a solid purchase for Simon fans and for anyone new to him, through the new album, perhaps, will soon cherish this first solo release.

When it comes to vinyl records, this one is a must own. Every track on it reminds you why music on vinyl is so special. Paul Simon's self-titled album belongs in everyones record collection. Easy to listen to and really showcases his abilities. I own the first press as well and can happily vouch that this repress is very good quality. They did a great job mastering this album and the quality shows when listening. If you don't own the original vinyl then have no fears about picking this one up.

Ive always loved this album, a friend of mine would always play this at work, some great tunes like Peace like a river Paranoia Blues and some well known tracks like Mother and child Reunion Duncan just to mention a few,Happy to have this C.D.in my collection.

I just picked up this version. Who could add anything worth while about the music. Classic. I thought it sounded a little hot and had to check to see if it had surccombed to the loudness war but it was OK. Sounds great....the Paranoia Blues is an example of that really clear it pops... Papa Hobo sounds good too. Almost so crisp they hurt your ears... this will get REALLY expensive... Hopefully you'll get to hear it if you're a fan. FWIW

A fantastic collection of Pauls songs he recorded with Art as Simon and Garfunkel but these recordings are Paul on his own, just Paul and his guitar and are of very high standard. Its lovely to hear them as Paul wrote them in the raw. However I was rather annoyed at the record company for putting a sticker on with no code to download the digital files that your suppose to get with these. Someone slipped up big time there so this is going to annoy others too. Luckily for me I bought the CD as well so I can of course just rip them myself.

Perhaps not quite in the same league as the two albums which followed and a bit melancholy in places but this is still a wonderful album, featuring songs such as Mother & Child Reunion, Me & Julio Down By The School Yard and Paranoia Blues. Roy Halee engineered and co-produced and, of course, there's the usual stellar cast of musicians plus a guest appearance by, of all people, Stephane Grappelli. It's tempting to write that they don't make 'em like this any more but, really, they don't make many. If, as they say, you were there at the time, indispensable.

I think this might be my favourite Paul Simon album, I like the stripped back approach, and the album benefits from the rough-around-the-edges sound. His next few 70's records went slightly too syrupy for me (although 2nd album There Goes Rhyming Simon is a masterpiece).Duncan, Run That Body Down just superb, but Peace Like A River has to be one, if not the best Paul Simon song. It's a relaxing listen, with Simon's clever and intricate wordplay over his fluid guitar playing. Can't go wrong with this one.

Before that really smooooth 70s feel came in on albums like "Still Crazy..." this was a great, highly inventive acoustic folk/rock/pop album. Me and Julio has to be one of the most fun songs to sing along to and the demo version with a slightly different melody is that rare thing: a worthwhile bonus track. Love PS.

Well the album's an outstanding album. This though is a word of warning: Japanese Vinyl Replica Edition [Import] is an Audio CD NOT Vinyl! Plus seller BadlandsUK do not answer communications.Excellent album though- I'm looking forward to getting the copy I wanted.Oh, and for some reason, for the version described,Amazon have the track listing as including the songs from PAUL SIMON and THERE GOES RHYMIN' SIMON. The album only has the tracks from the PAUL SIMON album, plus some demo versions of songs on there.