Paul Simon 1964/1993
Paul Simon · 1993
201 min · 52 tracks · folk rock
Acoustic folk opens outward into gospel harmonies and South African rhythms while Paul Simon’s voice keeps the stories close.
Top tracks — play these first
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Leaves That Are Green Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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The Sound of Silence — Its stark images and solemn melody establish the searching voice of Simon’s early songwriting, while the electric arrangement helped carry folk-rock onto pop radio.
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The Boxer — A tale of hardship unfolds through carefully observed details, with the wordless refrain and expansive production giving the character’s isolation a communal scale.
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American Tune — Simon sets a weary account of national uncertainty against a melody adapted from a Bach chorale, making private exhaustion and public unease share the same quiet space.
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Graceland — A road trip becomes a way of thinking through separation and renewal, carried by a supple South African rhythm section and backing vocals from the Everly Brothers.
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The Obvious Child — The drumming of Salvador’s Grupo Cultural Olodum gives Simon’s thoughts on aging an urgent physical momentum, opening another chapter in his rhythmic collaborations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation highlights Simon's songwriting depth but lacks the cohesive flow of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Several songs are presented in both original and demo versions, allowing listeners to compare the development of the material.
- Lyrical themes often reflect personal and social issues, with storytelling that invites deeper engagement from the listener.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective journey through decades
- dynamic flow with emotional peaks
- for contemplative afternoons
- engaging storytelling across tracks
- ideal for nostalgic listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A compilation that summarizes Simon's work but isn't a primary entry for new listeners.
- Themes
- musical evolution· African musical influences· personal loss and recovery
- Career context
- Released in 1993, this three-disc retrospective spans Simon’s work with Art Garfunkel and his solo career through 1990’s The Rhythm of the Saints. It arrived after the international success of Graceland, placing his collaborations with South African musicians alongside earlier folk-rock recordings and solo hits.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Cat Stevens· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Leaves That Are Green Start here 2:31
- 2 The Sound of Silence 3:05
- 3 Kathy's Song 3:18
- 4 America 3:27
- 5 Cecilia 2:54
- 6 El Condor Pasa 3:06
- 7 The Boxer 5:08
- 8 Mrs. Robinson 3:55
- 9 Bridge Over Troubled Water (demo) 2:34
- 10 Bridge Over Troubled Water 4:50
- 11 The Breakup 2:18
- 12 Hey, Schoolgirl 2:15
- 13 My Little Town 3:49
- 14 Me and Julio Down by the School Yard 2:42
- 15 Peace Like a River 3:16
- 16 Mother and Child Reunion 2:59
- 17 Congratulations 3:42
- 18 Duncan 5:01
- 19 American Tune 3:45
Disc 2
- 1 Loves Me Like a Rock 3:20
- 2 Tenderness 2:53
- 3 Kodachrome 3:30
- 4 Gone at Last 3:28
- 5 Take Me to the Mardi Gras 3:22
- 6 St. Judy's Comet 3:18
- 7 Something So Right 4:30
- 8 Still Crazy After All These Years 3:49
- 9 Have a Good Time 3:24
- 10 Jonah 3:19
- 11 How the Heart Approaches What It Yearns 2:48
- 12 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover 3:06
- 13 Slip Slidin' Away 4:44
- 14 Late in the Evening 3:55
- 15 Hearts and Bones 5:39
- 16 Rene and Georgette Magritte 3:43
- 17 The Late Johnny Ace 4:47
Disc 3
- 1 The Boy in the Bubble 4:00
- 2 Graceland 4:51
- 3 Under African Skies 3:37
- 4 That Was Your Mother 2:53
- 5 Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 5:48
- 6 You Can Call Me Al 4:42
- 7 Homeless 3:50
- 8 Spirit Voices 3:58
- 9 The Obvious Child 4:09
- 10 Can't Run But 3:36
- 11 Thelma 4:15
- 12 Further to Fly 5:35
- 13 She Moves On 4:57
- 14 Born at the Right Time 5:08
- 15 The Cool, Cool River 5:44
- 16 The Sound of Silence 5:41
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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