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Micky 
Jun-04-2006, 16:58 GMT
IP:
USA - United Staates America

I couldn´t believe this review...is the man some kind of fool?

************************************

CD reviews: Paul Simon, Tool, Ralph Stanley
Paul Simon

`Surprise�

2 stars

PAUL SIMON IS ONE of the all-time great pop songwriters, on par with Bob Dylan in the poetry vein and his superior in crafting warm, engaging, harmonious melodies.

He also has released fewer clunkers than Dylan, who, when he`s bad, is truly bad. In five decades, Simon`s facility has failed him entirely only once ` the `Capeman� project in the late `90s.

But it fails him again on `Surprise,� a collaboration with avant-garde producer Brian Eno. The problem isn`t so much Simon`s lyrics but his melodies, which lack their usual grace. Only `War Time Prayers� reveals some hint of his Old melodic craft.

The rest, from Eno`s abrasive and overused soundscapes to the wet-blanket feel of Simon`s voice, is indulgent and dull. This would have been a much more pleasant and welcome `Surprise� had the prickly Simon chosen old partner Art Garfunkel instead for a long-overdue Simon & Garfunkel studio set.

` Howard Cohen, Miami Herald

Matthias
Jun-04-2006, 17:50 GMT
IP:
Austria

Don´t be too angry! It´s useless to discuss musical tastes. Some years ago I would have been really, really angry about this review, but now I don´t care what other people think. Paul recorded a GREAT album and I enjoy it very much. Just forget Mr. Ralph Stanley. Let him wait for another S&G album. He´ll wait for a long, long time!

Matthias
Jun-04-2006, 17:52 GMT
IP:
Austria

sorry, don´t forget Ralph Stanley but Howard Cohen!

David_Johnson
Jun-04-2006, 18:29 GMT
IP:
United Kingdom

´The problem isn`t so much Simon`s lyrics but his melodies, which lack their usual grace. Only `War Time Prayersâ? reveals some hint of his Old melodic craft.´

I actually agree with him on this one. If Paul hadn´t been famous before this album came out then this album would get nowhere. Sorry to say but this album is awful, except Wartime Prayers.
But I have not gone off Paul Simon at all, He is absolutely the greatest singer/songwriter of all times. He just needs to get back to his routes like maybe another Paul Simon Songbook now that he has more songs to sing.

That is my view!

Micky
Jun-04-2006, 19:04 GMT
IP:
USA - United Staates America

Please don´t think I´m direspecting your view, but, sorry David, but there´s a lot of people, here and elsewhere, who will disgree with you on that score. I can´t get the songs out of my head it´s so well written. There isn´t a track I don´t Love. I have read only a few reviews that arn´t so good, but this one is incredibly negative.

Maybe I´m just musically stupid, but I think it has pleanty to give and I deffinately don´t think Paul has lost it as a writter. His writting is as fresh now as it was 20 years ago.

But like you, it´s my point of view and that of many others.

Bodo
Jun-04-2006, 19:55 GMT
IP:
Austria

Is that all?

I´m sure this guy was not even listening to the CD, he is one of those boring fools who want Art Garfunkel on every Cd, so he even does not listen to that CD.

I am angry that everyone is allowed to write reviews in papers.

suzi
Jun-04-2006, 20:25 GMT
IP:
Unknown

The album is wonderful (in my opinion). It took over Graceland as my favorite and I Love Graceland

David_Johnson
Jun-04-2006, 20:38 GMT
IP:
United Kingdom

Bodo do you always have to have it your own way? Can you not face it that some people have their own views and opinions? You like it, Some people don´t. Paul Simon I like, But Suprise........ I´m sorry if I have offended you but that is that.

nancy
Jun-04-2006, 20:41 GMT
IP:
USA - United Staates America

I think it is now my favorite, as well. I can´t quit listening to it, and I am still finding fresh insights even now. I know that not everyone will Love it (how boring if we were all the same), but I certainly adore and respect it.

Mimi
Jun-04-2006, 20:44 GMT
IP:
Austria

I think the last paragraph of the review says it all. It is o.k. that this guy would like to have a new S&G Record coming out, it is not o.k. that this is "masked" as a review. Just because it is not what he would have liked it to be, it has to be bad stuff.

As much as I like to Old stuff, I am quite sure, that it definitly would not work to try to write like that again. There are a lot of artists that do things like that and really appreciate, that Paul tries to reinvate himself everytime he makes a new record.

I am sorry for those, who don´t get what they want, but I am very satisfied with what I get.

Bodo
Jun-04-2006, 20:45 GMT
IP:
Austria

Hello David

I do not understand exactly why you attack me - because my attack was against the article Micky posted.

My point is that this article includes nothing, not even a good critic. I just shows that the reviewer was not listening to the album, and he only expected AG to sing with Paul again because of this reunion thing.
In one sentece he only wrote: The album is crap, because AG is not singin on it.

I don´t know where you read that I said something against you.

Bodo
Jun-04-2006, 20:49 GMT
IP:
Austria

And David - my point was not that ´I want it my own way´ - but when someone writes reviews for a newspaper than he should be able to make a REAL review, and not just write his own little opinion. No wrong, he should not be able, he HAS TO forget about his own small opinion.

Bodo
Jun-04-2006, 20:51 GMT
IP:
Austria

Exactly my opinion Mimi

Micky
Jun-04-2006, 21:04 GMT
IP:
USA - United Staates America

I agree Mimi. To go back to what you were is kind of silly to be honest. Why would anyone do such a thing? I Love Simon and Garfunkel, big fan, but I´m a bigger Paul fan. Although I would be a liar if I said I was glad I didn´t see them on their tour in 2004. That would have been amazing to see.

But I have no desire to see a new album by the guys and I don´t even think Paul could write like that anymore. He only occassionaly writes the perfect Simon and Garfukel song, like American Tune or even, possible, Wartime Prayers. But it´s rare.

I love how Paul´s grown and evolved over the years and I´ve grown with him and all his songs sing to me in one way or another.

I say, keep it up Paul :-)

David_Johnson
Jun-04-2006, 21:06 GMT
IP:
United Kingdom

Ok my mistake Bodo I appologise!

Thats your opinion and I respect that. LOL

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