PAUL SIMON S 69007 (-72) UK

 Of all good he's done after the split with Garfunkel this remains my favorite. I can't hear a bad moment on it. The lyrics oozes reality and the melodies are gripping. Apparently recorded at many different locations - Paris, New York, San Francisco and Kingston, Jamaica. On "Duncan" he's backed by Los Incas, earlier behind the Simon & Garfunkel hit "El Condor Pasa". The (too) short "Hobo's Blues" embellished by violin from Stephane Grappelli (1908-97), one of the great jazz names of the thirties and forties with Quintette du Hot Club de France. Further on "Mother And Child Reunion" he recorded with local Jamaican musicians. It's high quality all through I get the impression every note and word was carefully balanced to make it. Usually I embrace some kind of imperfection to make the music more bona fide. There's non such here, but so well done I cede anyway. Also the audio on this UK press is smashing - big and natural. Still loving it all so can't pick absolute favorites, but giving a few exemples below. Issued and reissued on every possible format all over the world through the years. I can't coun't them all. Premiere US on Columbia (KC 30750). EU 2010 CD on Sony/Columbia (88697820232) came with three bonus tracks. First UK had label as shown here in a glossy stickered cover with "silver" pic/lyric/credit inner.