Music Diary Deal: Stream Paul Simon’s New Album for Free!

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Simon and Garfunkel seem to have been lost to a forgotten era, with their beautiful songs being relegated to easy listening and oldies stations rather that getting the renown they deserve. The same is true for Paul Simon’s later work, with even the brilliant Graceland seeming lost to the specters of the 80’s. He is hoping that his new work, “So Beautiful or So What” will make him more relevant to a younger audience – and I hope the same thing as well.

Well, for those of us who know their talent, and for a younger crowd looking for inspiration and creativity in a sea of cookie-cutter pop stars, NPR has an answer. From now until the CD release on April 12th, they are streaming the entirety of “So Beautiful or So What” for free! Here is what they have to say:

When Paul Simon sings and plays, many languages are spoken: gospel, folk, R&B, African, doo-wop, blues and standard American pop. But they’re all synthesized into one of American music’s most unmistakable voices.

So Beautiful or So What is Simon’s first album since 2006’s Surprise. It’s also his best since Graceland, from the opener (“Getting Ready for Christmas Day”) to the closing title track. “The Afterlife” echoes Graceland’s world fusion, graced with syncopated African rhythms and guitarist Vincent Nguini’s mellifluous guitar playing, while “Dazzling Blue” incorporates Indian rhythms and highlights Simon’s own wonderful guitar playing, which is so often overshadowed by the strength of his lyrics.

“Questions for the Angels” is Simon’s most beautiful song in years, paced just a step above a lullaby while the soft guitars, harp and marimba stand back enough for the words to come through: “If you shop for love in a bargain store / and you don’t get what you bargained for / can you get your money back? / If an empty train in a railroad station / calls you to its destination / can you choose another track?” Simon poses these and other rhetorical questions from the perspective of a wandering pilgrim crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

The album showcases a veteran songwriter who’s still in exquisite form. It’s classic Paul Simon, conveying the sense of place and emotion he’s captured, wondrously and timelessly, since the beginning.

So Beautiful or So What will stream here in its entirety until its release on April 12. Please leave your thoughts on the album in the comments section below.

Head on over to NPR and give it a listen!

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About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!