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Bodo
Nov-18-2006, 11:35 GMT
IP:
Austria

You live in the UK, there was some marketing for Surprise.
In the rest of the world except maybe the USA this album was not even mentioned somewhere.

My point was that I think Stevens music has absolute nothing new or innovative (creative?), but the media jumps on it as if this would be the best album we got this year. When I visited amazon or barnesandnobles last week this album was on the top page advertised, the music is played on the radio, even in the news they talk about this new album.
Yes, I think that this is not fair. Why does Paul Simon not get any attention for a artistical much better work? Why is there absolut no place for him? (maybe I should have posted this in the German forum, because it might confuse UK residents. In the other big European countries Surprise was just like nothing - in my local CD stores I could not even find the album in the big ´New releases´ section...)


My question now. If Paul Simon wouldn´t have done anything since lets´ say ´Still crazy´ and released Surprise now - would he have got that big response?

(but maybe I am totaly wrong and the response to Cat Stevens was just so big in my country, and so small about Simon here too...)

Bodo
Nov-18-2006, 11:53 GMT
IP:
Austria

BTW: I asked for the real reasons because I could not read anywhere why he did that now - and said for about 30 years that his new religion does not want it that he is making popular music anylonger?
I did not want to imply that he needs money or whatever.

(BTW, I don´t want to start a islamic discussion now, I do not know enough about that and I have the feeling that religious discussions about any religion are too dangerous)


My posting shouldn´t blame Yusuf or Paul for making too much advertisement or their belongin to stay in the public - as a matter of fact it should blame the media, which makes us believe that Yusuf made a really good album (not questionable if you are a fan), and on the other side makes us believe that Paul Simon does not exist.


But, as I said - the reports about Yusuf and Paul Simon might be on a same level in the UK.

Ans
Nov-18-2006, 13:19 GMT
IP:
Netherlands

You are right about not starting a discussion, I too don´t know enough about the subject. At amazon.com there is a product description why he feels like making music again.

johnboy
Nov-18-2006, 20:11 GMT
IP:
United Kingdom

Tunepeg
Great to see your listeni ng to your dads Old stuff , i guess your quite young if you have never heard of cat stevens ... other artists to check out and thier best albums
1. bob dylan (blood on the tracks)
2. james taylor(mudslide slim and the blue horizon)
3.jackson browne ( late for the sky
4.Neil young (harvest )
5. don mclean (american pie)
6.stevie wonder (songs in the key of life
7. carole king (tapestry)
there are many ive probably missed , but if you like simon , stevens then you will Love these.

Håkan
Nov-20-2006, 09:55 GMT
IP:
Sweden

That Paul doesn´t get any attention (or the attention he "deserves") is mainly Paul´s own fault (or responsibility). Paul has always been disinterested in marketing himself and his music, but even if he himself lacks that interest (and doesn´t want to get involved too much personally) he should of course see to that someone (manager, record label, website, whatever) promote his work when its appropriate.

Bodo
Nov-20-2006, 12:06 GMT
IP:
Austria

Yes Hakan, I also think - or ´maybe´ think so. Because on the other side we do not know how much ´public´ work Paul is really doing all days. In fact, I think that he might do much more than we see on the surface (best example would have been the Abbey Road show in May, or this BBC concert on Nov 4). Thats all a lot of work, and no one sees the result. It is either his management making a bad job, or it is a small interest of the media. Imagine Paul McCartney would have done this Abbey Road show, it would be everywhere on the media and every channels wants to air that show.


But on the other side I really think it is a fault of his management too. In 2002 the Montreux Jazz Festival was filmed, a swiss TV channel wanted to air it but Pauls management (or he?..or is Warner) refused that. Maybe because people should buy the YTO DVD.

...What is the reason that Paul Simons song is finally not included on the James T
Taylor tribute DVD? I can not believe it was James Taylor who said: I don´t want that track on my DVD...?

Many many questions...

Scaaty
Nov-20-2006, 12:39 GMT
IP:
Ireland

something else I don´t understand - if any young singer/songwriter is being interviewed - they always mention Dylan, Mitchell, McCarthney, Cohen as their inspiration - never does Paul Simon get an mention. Whys that I wonder?

Håkan 
Nov-20-2006, 13:40 GMT
IP:
Sweden

Bodo, I agree that Pauls management is to blame, but then again, who is responsible for choosing the "right" management? Yes, Paul of course! And he just isn´t interested in these things, he focuses on the "artistic" angle.

I haven´t got the James Taylor tribute DVD yet, but I had already surmised that Paul´s contribution was deleted from the DVD, which I once again presume is Paul´s decision. Bodo, is there anything else missing from the DVD or is it only Paul´s song?

Scaaty, the reason they don´t mention Paul as often as other are mentioned probably goes back to the same explanation. Generally he holds a very low profile when he don´t has any new releases, he don´t like talking about himself and he is not as much public figure if you compare with McCartney for instance. All this contributes to that people tend to forget him easier than other´s of his generation.

Johnny
Dec-10-2006, 17:06 GMT
IP:
Germany

Yesterday, Yusuf appeared on Wetten Dass...? which is a popular German entertainment show. He played two new songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZq8eqX0tv4

Later on, he was asked to play some Old Cat Stevens song. He gave a short rendition of "The wind".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQLPG8WIcBw

I like his old stuff! I don´t mind that he converted to Islam. What bothers me, though, is that he supports the fatwa against Salman Rushdie. He did in 1989 at least. Don´t know if he still does.

Dave C
Dec-11-2006, 15:03 GMT
IP:
United Kingdom

On top of everything else the man is a homophobe.

Micky
Dec-11-2006, 15:10 GMT
IP:
USA - United Staates America

Paul doesn´t look like anyones Grandad I know...He looks better :-)

Baggy wrote on Nov-18 at 03:08

Doesn´t Paul Simon look like some-one´s grandfather too ??

Micky
Dec-11-2006, 15:14 GMT
IP:
USA - United Staates America

I´ve seen Paul mentioned, by young artists, quite a few times. Especially on the net.

Scaaty wrote on Nov-20 at 12:39

something else I don´t understand - if any young singer/songwriter is being interviewed - they always mention Dylan, Mitchell, McCarthney, Cohen as their inspiration - never does Paul Simon get an mention. Whys that I wonder?

Mimi
Dec-11-2006, 18:06 GMT
IP:
Austria

I also have the impression that Paul is mentioned rather often as an influence. I think that he has a very good reputation especially in the music business, but he has no profile as a celebrity and that is the thing, that is important for the media.

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