Stereogum Home

 

October 13, 2005

Paul Simon's Birthday

"Paul Simon" was born Pinchas Saltzman 64 years ago today. His near-perfect album Graceland turns 20 next year, but he's done some great stuff since then, too. Even his last album, You're The One is really nice. Pleasant and meditative more than rockin', but he's definitely earned the status of being able to do whatever he wants artistically. Even The Capeman, flop that it was, was nominated for a Tony Award.

This is a fairly obvious choice from The Rhythm Of The Saints.

Paul Simon - "Born At The Right Time" (MP3)

Posted at 10:57 AM




22 Comments

You're the One is just nice? Hot damn it's a good record...

Posted by: whb at 10/13/05 11:29 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Uh, Graceland is near-perfect? C'mon, we've got to maintain some indie rock standards here, sir. I mean what's next, Enya as indie rock visionary?

Posted by: jedediah (jed2) at 10/13/05 11:29 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Who are you, the Grinch? Graceland is near-perfect. Motion seconded, all in favor say aye.

Posted by: jedediah (jed3) at 10/13/05 11:37 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Props to Paul! Hurrah!

Posted by: Arya at 10/13/05 11:38 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

More importantly, today is JOHN PEEL DAY.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/johnpeelday/2005/

Posted by: bill p at 10/13/05 11:40 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Pinchas Saltzman? I did not know this. Thanks, stereogum for making me || smarter! yeah!

Posted by: andhiwarhol at 10/13/05 11:43 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Aye

Posted by: Rob at 10/13/05 11:43 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Paul Simon is so gay for Moleman.

Posted by: diz.from.mars at 10/13/05 11:48 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Why must you propagate lies?

Posted by: Rob at 10/13/05 11:52 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Before this gets out of hand, I will clarify and say that "Pinchas Saltzman" is a joke, and not Paul Simon's real name. His real name is Paul Simon.

Posted by: jed at 10/13/05 12:09 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

and a damn fine joke, too, I might add

Posted by: Phineas at 10/13/05 12:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

You're The One is a great album. The first record I ever bought was Negotiations and Lovesongs, still one of my all-time favorites. Happy birthday Paul!

Posted by: jess at 10/13/05 12:30 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I was raised on four albums, played on the tape deck in the family van on long m-f'in vacation road trips. They are:

Paul Simon - Graceland
Bob Marley - Legend
Neil Young - Havest
Jethro Tull - Aqualung

And besides Augus and Everything After in 6th grade, they are all the first four CDs I ever bought for myself by myself.

Posted by: Eric Deines at 10/13/05 12:46 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Paul Simonon?

Posted by: Clashed at 10/13/05 1:04 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I too was raised on Graceland. and my parents were cool enough to take me with them when they saw this tour. I don't remmeber any of it but I had the tour t-shirt for years.

Posted by: danfun at 10/13/05 1:09 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Although it was lyrically a failed gamble (various ethnic groups didn't think he had the right to use offensive terms, even if they were couched in a historical context), Capeman was musically a solid album. It basically was a love letter to mid-50's pop music, especially doo-wop.

When's the last time you heard doo-wop treated as anything but music to sell cars or hamburgers?

Posted by: Topher at 10/13/05 1:40 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I too was raised on Paul Simon. My parents also were cool enough to take me to his Rhythm of the Saints Tour when they stopped in Bonner Springs, KS. My first concert ever, and it was grand.

Posted by: Matt at 10/13/05 2:48 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

"You're The One" is monumentally, mind-numbingly awful - especially to a diehard Simon fan such as myself.

Posted by: billy budapest at 10/13/05 5:13 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

holy hell when does SCOTT get back?!?!?! this thing is going down the tubes faster than i can believe! 14 minutes and 59 seconds, for sure.

Posted by: kay at 10/13/05 6:15 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Paul Simon - incredible songwriter. 'Graceland' is easily one of my favorite albums....

Posted by: ryan at 10/14/05 12:00 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I *so* want to spread the "Pinchas" myth. Its on.

Posted by: natalie at 10/15/05 11:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Whoa, I am still reeling, I -along with a sell out crowd - celebrated Paul's 64th birthday with him last night here at the Minneapolis concert. I eyes are still watering! It was awesome 2 and more full hours of classic Paul. The audience sang happy birthday to him. Me- I'm an old fart hippie brought up on "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and "Cecilia" and lived in Africa during Graceland era. He's the saint in my book. If you read these blogs "Happy birthday Paul... I was the one who snuck in the concert hall to watch you rehearse."

Posted by: Ron at 10/13/06 10:47 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Leave a comment


Staff

  • Founder/Editor-In-Chief: Scott Lapatine
  • Executive Editor: Amrit Singh
  • Senior Writer: Brandon Stosuy

Info

Contact

Get Flash to see our mp3 player. Here are our mp3s: Cold Cave - Life Magazine (»)
Pants Yell! - Cold Hands (»)
Bill Quick - Take Me Away (»)
Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel (Wallpaper's Mariah Mashup) (»)
Air - Sing Sang Sung (Black Moth Super Rainbow Remix) (»)
Avi Buffalo - What's In It For (»)
Vampire Weekend - Horchata (»)
Small Black - Kings Of Animals (»)
Max Tundra - Which Song (Passion Pit Remix) (»)
Cold Cave - Theme From Tomorrowland (»)
Tegan And Sara - Hell (»)
Jeff The Brotherhood - Bone Jam (»)
Mount Eerie - Wind's Dark Poem (»)
Tigercity - Fake Gold (»)
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp (»)
Drink Up Buttercup - Even Think (Andrew W.K. Remix) (»)
Florence And The Machine - You've Got The Love (The xx Remix) (»)
Cold Cave - The Laurels of Erotomania (»)
Jookabox - Phantom Don't Go (»)
Jookabox - You Cried Me (»)

Progress Report logo
Commercial Appeal logo
Premature Evaluation logo
Band to Watch logo
Quit Your Day Job logo
The Outsiders logo
The 'Gum Drop logo