Introduction
There Goes Rhymin' Simon is the third solo studio album by singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Launched on May 5, 1973, by Columbia Records, the album is a follow-up to his self-titled launching in 1972. Produced by Paul Simon and Roy Halee, There Goes Rhymin' Simon showcased a wide variety of musical designs, including gospel, reggae, and Dixieland jazz, showing Simon's signature eclectic method to songwriting.
Background
After the release of his eponymous solo launching, Paul Simon continued to explore numerous musical styles and discovered inspiration in his personal life experiences. The styles of There Goes Rhymin' Simon handle topics like aging, love, and spirituality. Simon tape-recorded the album in different studios across the United States, such as New York, Los Angeles, and Muscle Shoals in Alabama, allowing him to work together with a diverse group of talented musicians and producers.
Music and Lyrics
There Goes Rhymin' Simon showcases a vast array of musical impacts, marking a substantial departure from the folk-rock noise of Simon & Garfunkel, the duo that at first brought Simon to popularity. The album opens with "Kodachrome", a vibrant and memorable pop tune that commemorates a popular film stock of the time.
Tracks like "Loves Me Like a Rock" and "Tenderness" display Simon's love for gospel music, utilizing effective singing consistencies to develop a soulful noise. The gospel impact can also be heard in the stirring "American Tune", which inserts Johann Sebastian Bach's "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded". The song reviews the battles and unity of the American individuals in the face of misfortune.
The album delves into reggae with "Was a Sunny Day", a breezy tune about a chance encounter between two strangers that evolves into a gorgeous relationship. This love for reggae would later resurface on Paul Simon's Graceland album. There Goes Rhymin' Simon also includes "Take Me to the Mardi Gras", a song filled with Dixieland jazz components that transport the listener to New Orleans.
Lyrically, the album exposes a more reflective, fully grown, and reflective Paul Simon. Songs like "The Vampires" and "St. Judy's Comet" check out styles of aging, showing Simon's own concerning terms with aging. "Something So Right", a genuine love tune, includes Simon's tender and reflective side, while still imbued with his keen sense of wit.
Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, There Goes Rhymin' Simon got prevalent praise from critics for its adventurous musical styles and deeply affecting lyrics. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, and generating a number of hit singles, consisting of "Kodachrome", which reached second on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
There Goes Rhymin' Simon cemented Paul Simon's status as one of the preeminent singer-songwriters of his generation and contributed to his excellent 12-time Grammy-winning profession. The album is still revered years later as a work of art of Simon's solo work and an important addition to the American music canon.
In conclusion, There Goes Rhymin' Simon marked the continuation of Paul Simon's illustrious career as a singer-songwriter following the dissolution of Simon & Garfunkel. The album's abundant tapestry of musical styles, poetic lyrics, and sophisticated production techniques make it a standout entry in Simon's discography and a timeless classic in popular music.
Artist: Paul Simon
Paul Simon, from his humble beginnings in Newark to Grammy-winning albums like Graceland. Read quotes and stories about the legendary singer-songwriter.
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