Still Crazy After All These Years

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com essential recording
Paul Simon's third solo album unifies the varied threads running through its predecessors--confessional ballads, wily story songs, agnostic spirituals and snapshots of modern life, circa 1975, are extensions of the models on his self-titled debut and--There Goes Rhymin' Simon. Here, Simon and producer Phil Ramone establish a more cohesive, explicitly urban setting that burnishes the artist's acoustic folk accents to spotlight his sophistication as an inventive composer and, as always, deft wordsmith. Included is his last great collaboration with Art Garfunkel, the bittersweet "My Little Town," a pop gospel romp with Phoebe Snow on "Gone at Last," and the sly adulterer's solution of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" (arguably the antithesis of Willie Dixon's classic "29 Ways"), along with the tender "I Do It for Your Love" and the woozy, dissolute "Have a Good Time." Best of all, of course, is the brilliant title song, shifting from anecdotal verse to soaring bridge and colored by keening strings and Phil Woods's knowing tenor-sax solo. Simon was crazy, like a fox. --Sam Sutherland

Album Description
Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. Rhino. 2006.

Album Details
2006 Digitally Remastered Reissue of the Classic Paul Simon Album in a Limited Edition LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Cover.

Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

still great after all these years February 7, 2005
7 out of 19 found this review helpful

FOR WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD IT
In the mid-70s before disco and punk explosion quality music used to top Billboard and/or Grammies. This album did as it is unthinkable nowadays because of music-biz evolution and degradation.
Anyway the music do the talking, and if you purchase this you'll understand how great these music compositions are.
It has a jazzy and melanchonic feeling, sometimes even sad ("Night game","I do it for your love"). Sometimes euphoric and gospel like "Gone at last" or "My little town" where Simon briefly gets together with Garfunkel.
But surely the two top hits "50 ways to leave your lover" and the title track are really trademarks of that time and album of course.
Despite the precious featurings like Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Micheal Brecker, etc.., really very talented musicians, I don't like the arrangements very much, particularly Simon's vocals'.
They don't have the exuberance of the first years, nor the brilliant sobriety of the 80s.

FOR WHO HAS ALREADY HEARD IT
I just want to point out how great, bigger than life "Silent eyes" is. It is one of Simon's songwriting zenith (but how many others had he got?). The melody comes from gospel and goes in crescendo following great Leon Pendarvis piano performance (it reminds of "Bridge over troubled water")and the lyrics which inquire on what swede director Ingmar Bergman would call "silence of God" (a metaphor for agnostic faith searching). One problem: Simon's vocals are quite terrible and awful even because he usually is (and considers himself as) a storyteller, but this song needs more. It needs a performer like Elvis, Eric Burdon or Jacques Brel were. Anyway for appretiating it better I suggest you to imagine what could it be sung by Art Garfunkel.
If you can buy the sheet of music and play it on your piano.

THE EXTRAS - FOR WHO HAVE ALREADY OWED IT
The Paul Simon remastered&expanded series showcases high sound standard quality and the extras usually don't feature any new song, but alternate takes or work in progress.
Here we have an alternate version of "Slip slidin' away" (why not the original?) and "Gone at last" with Jessy Dixon Singers which is by far superior than the original.
I know this will disappoint many listeners and fans too. Otherwise I consider this a clever way to maitain albums' integrity and to enjoy Simon's best talent: songwriting. It can be as well considered as a graduate music lesson.
Thanks again Maestro.

5 out of 5 stars

Crazy Thirty Years On May 9, 2005
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Still Crazy After All These Years is Paul Simon's masterpiece. The album perfectly captures all of his strong suits, songwriter, understated vocals and great arrangements. It also contains a collaboration with his erstwhile partner Art Garfunkel. The song, "My Little Town" is a brilliant piece of music, with lush orchestration, nostalgic lyrics and of course the beautiful harmonies of the two men. "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" is shuffling song about infidelity that became Mr. Simon's only number one solo single. "Come At Last" is a gospel flavored duet with Phoebe Snow and "Have A Good Time" is fast paced tune. "I Do It For Your Love" is a jazzy song with great lyrics and the title track is one of his all-time greatest songs. The album became his first and only solo number one album and won the 1975 Grammy for Album of The Year. The remastered sound is a great improvement over the original cd issue. The two bonus songs really don't add much to collection, but the demo version of "Gone At Last" is worth a listen.

5 out of 5 stars

Paul Simon in a different direction October 29, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The best way to describe this album would be "melodically pleasing and mellow". In fact, the mellow atmosphere combined with the excellent songwriting will show you that Paul Simon really is a great singer and songwriter. He can do it all, folks. Buy this collection for a completely consistent album.

5 out of 5 stars

Simon at a solo peak November 27, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Every album Paul Simon produced in the early to mid 70's is worth buying and this is no exception. There are some great songs: the title track, "My Little Town" with Art Garfunkel, "50 Ways To Leave Your Love", "Gone At last" and "Have a Good Time". The other tracks certainly aren't weak, but for me these are the best.

The musicians on the album are all first-rate. The drummer is mainly Steve Gadd (including his famous intro to 50 Ways) with Grady Tate on one track. Theres variously Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, David Sanborn and Eddie Daniels playing Saxophone (all top Jazz players). Phil Woods plays the storming solo Saxophone outro to "Have a Good Time".

The highlight for me (as a Pianist) is the late Richard Tee's superb uptempo Gospel Piano playing on "Gone at Last". It won't be to everybodies taste but its easily my favourite track on the album. If you like that style of playing investigate albums by the group Stuff of which Richard Tee and Steve Gadd were both members - as indeed was Gordon Edwards who plays bass on "Gone at Last".

After this album Simon never reached these heights again until the release of Graceland 11 years later. This is a laid-back masterpiece and should be in your collection.

5 out of 5 stars

A MUST HAVE!!! April 2, 2007
1 out of 5 found this review helpful

For serious Paul Simon fans only!!! This cd showcases the first glimpse of his musical genius!!! Still a relevant cd 30 yrs after it was first released!!!

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