Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
Paul Simon
Tue Jul 18 2023Description
Paul Simon's latest album has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. He writes his lyrics in a conversational style and draws inspiration from personal experiences, wishes, and other people's lives. The placement of songs in the album is based on ear appeal and as an end piece. Simon pays attention to dynamics and balance of individual notes on his guitar. Chris Thiele, a brilliant mandolin player, noticed subtle sounds in Simon's record that added to its desired effect. The album confronts mortality and seeks forgiveness, with songs that change topics like conversations do. The duet between the narrator and Edie in 'Sacred Harp' captures generosity mixed with reluctance and ends with a beautiful image of mist.
Insights
Music Reviews Reflect the Writer
Paul Simon believes that music reviews are more about the writer than the piece of music being critiqued.
Creating Music as an Orchestra
Simon treats his guitar as an entire orchestra, using rhythm and adding percussion instruments like bells.
Subtle Sounds Add Depth
Chris Thiele noticed subtle sounds in Simon's record that added to its desired effect.
Songs as Conversations
Songs can change topics like conversations do, without upsetting the listener.
'Sacred Harp' Captures Generosity and Reluctance
'Sacred Harp' is a powerful section with beautiful lyrics that capture generosity mixed with reluctance and ends with a beautiful image of mist.
Duet Between Narrator and Edie
The song features a duet between the narrator and Edie, with the narrator's voice fading out to create a unique sound.
'Sacred Harp' Uses Unusual Interval
'Sacred Harp' uses an unusual interval that is not commonly heard in songs.
Characters in the Song Seek Spiritual Bliss
The characters in the song may seem broken but are actually seekers of spiritual bliss.
Songs Can Be Interpreted Differently
Pleasure is found when songs can be interpreted differently by various communities of people.
Chapters
- Paul Simon's Latest Album
- Placement of Songs in the Album
- Creating Music and Lyrics
- Chris Thiele and Subtle Sounds
- Confronting Mortality and Seeking Forgiveness
- The Duet and Unusual Interval
Paul Simon's Latest Album
00:06 - 08:58
- Received overwhelmingly positive reviews
- Simon believes music reviews are more about the writer than the music itself
- Lyrics are written in a conversational style and draw inspiration from personal experiences, wishes, and other people's lives
- 'Weight' was written as the final piece of the album to provide a satisfying conclusion
- 'Trail of Volcanoes' was initially removed from the album but later found its place due to its rhythmic pulse
Placement of Songs in the Album
08:29 - 18:07
- Based on ear appeal and as an end piece
- 'Trail of Volcanoes' lyrics were written without a specific thought in mind but have an appropriate thought for the entire song
- Repetitive rhythm in 'Trail of Volcanoes' gives a sense of pleasure after floating without a tight rhythm
- 'Weight' became the subject of the seventh song after someone commented that hearing the first six songs made them feel like they didn't want to die
Creating Music and Lyrics
17:56 - 26:41
- Process starts with a thought that gets put into a pile for potential editing
- Simon pays attention to dynamics and balance of individual notes on his guitar in the Seven Psalms album
- Treats guitar as an entire orchestra, using rhythm and adding percussion instruments like bells
- Demonstrates different percussion instruments used, including an elephant bell and a suspending bell
- Deeper spirituality in Simon's music is expressed through unspoken conversation without words
- Reviewers often focus on the words rather than other aspects of the music
- Musician Chris Thiele noticed subtle sounds in Simon's record that added to its desired effect
Chris Thiele and Subtle Sounds
26:20 - 35:02
- Chris Thiele is a brilliant mandolin player
- Subtle sounds used throughout the piece stretch to a horizon and make the guitar sound bigger
- Composer wants listeners to become aware of the conversation happening in the background
- Lyrics are praised for their quality and humor
- Writing in this record is considered some of the best
- Meaning of the record is better left unexplained for most listeners
- Structure intentionally breaks certain moods inferred from the first two songs to create a different mood in the third song
- Third song has a bluesy feel and adds variety to the piece
- One song described as fun, with mischief, street sass, jokes, and commentary on popular culture
Confronting Mortality and Seeking Forgiveness
34:33 - 42:44
- 'Darling Lorraine' exemplifies Paul Simon's writing style of establishing something and then amending it with humor
- Songs can change topics like conversations do, without upsetting the listener
- 'Sacred Harp' is a powerful section with beautiful lyrics that create an entire scene in just four lines
- 'Sacred Harp' feels southern and womanly, with a description of regional perfumes
- Edie's voice adds power to the song and fits the character in the story
- The song features a duet between the narrator and Edie, with the narrator's voice fading out to create a unique sound
- The emotional range of 'Sacred Harp' captures generosity mixed with reluctance and ends with a beautiful image of mist
- Characters in the song are actually seekers of spiritual bliss
- Pleasure is found when songs can be interpreted differently by various communities of people
The Duet and Unusual Interval
42:15 - 51:23
- Edie was the perfect choice for the character in the story
- Song reflects how we observe and think, with sounds coming and going without following traditional musical structures
- Edie and the narrator have sung together before, and her versatile voice fits well with different characters in the song
- 'Sacred Harp' uses an unusual interval that is not commonly heard in songs
- The mist mentioned in the lyrics takes on different meanings throughout the song, adding depth to its storytelling
- The characters in the song may seem broken but are actually seekers of spiritual bliss
- Pleasure is found when songs can be interpreted differently by various communities of people