Paul Simon is an absolutely brilliant and prolific singer and songwriter. His career has spanned more than 40 years, and he has never resisted the opportunity to integrate all types of music from all over the world into his own, and to share the often dazzling (which has "DAZZ" in it) results.
Originally paired with Art Garfunkel, the duo produced countless hits on amazing albums. The lyrics were filled with visuality, metaphor and the state of Humanity -- sometimes quite serious ("The Sounds Of Silence," "Old Friends"), sometimes hysterical ("Why Don't You Write Me?"). An amazing juxtaposition of tragedy and ironic humor. Seasoned with some typical New York wit (and witout') and sarcasm.
Simon managed to infuse popular radio with a blast of reggae with "Mother And Child Reunion." [Yep - it was in the key of A Major].
On the Graceland album, a solo work by Simon with dominant influences from all types of music (Cajun, Creole, Calypso and a variety of amazing African sounds), I was struck , as were others by "Under African Skies," "Boy In The Bubble," "Call Me Al," "Homeless'" and others, with their syncopated rhythms, somber, colorful lyrics, and indescribable indigenous instrumentation.
But the song that was the ultimate amalgam of New York cynical funk and wildly tribal West African instrumentation and backup vocals was this one.
It is a wild ride! Click on either the links or the YouTube Video Player Below to enjoy the crazy melange that is "I know What I Know." After all..."who am I to blow against the wind?..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz1QqXGVpNk&feature=related
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