Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'
Encyclopedia
Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' is an album by Paul Simon
, released in March 1974 by Columbia Records
. It was recorded during Simon's 1973-74 tour in the wake of the release of There Goes Rhymin' Simon
– which produced a number of hit singles ("Kodachrome
" and "Loves Me Like a Rock
") and radio staples (as "Something So Right
" and "Take Me to the Mardi Gras"). However, the album presents a very truncated version of the concerts he performed on this tour, which consisted of up to 24 songs. The album fails to note where the performances were recorded, although according to liner notes in a later Simon compilation, "Duncan" is from a London concert and "American Tune" was recorded in New York City.
Simon was joined by Urubamba
and the Jessy Dixon Singers
, although the individual members are not identified either on the recording or on the liner notes. In addition to "Jesus Is the Answer", included on the album, Jessy Dixon also performed "What Do They Call Him" on tour, while Urubamba performed the instrumentals "Kacharpari" and "Death in Santa Cruz".
The album was Simon's first live release and showed him performing Simon & Garfunkel songs solo in concert for the first time. The variety of songs and richness of styles helped with the album's appeal. Most notable was Simon's fascination in the gospel
, something that materialized in the arrangements on many of the songs, taking distance from Simon's classical folk
early style.
Near the end of the album, an audience member calls out for Simon to "say a few words." He replies: "Say a few words? Well, let's hope that we continue to live."
The album was a moderate success. It reached #33 in the US and was eventually certified gold by the RIAA. However, it failed to chart at all in the UK. Further, two of the live performances were released as a single as part of the promotion for the album: the breakthrough Simon & Garfunkel "The Sound of Silence
" as the A-side, along with Simon's debut single "Mother and Child Reunion
" on the B-side.
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
, released in March 1974 by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. It was recorded during Simon's 1973-74 tour in the wake of the release of There Goes Rhymin' Simon
There Goes Rhymin' Simon
There Goes Rhymin' Simon is the third solo studio album by American musician Paul Simon rush-released on May 5, 1973. It contains songs covering several styles and genres, such as gospel and dixieland . It received two nominations at the Grammy Awards of 1974, including Best Male Pop Vocal...
– which produced a number of hit singles ("Kodachrome
Kodachrome (song)
"Kodachrome" is a song written and recorded by Paul Simon. It appeared on his 1973 album There Goes Rhymin' Simon.-Description:The song is named after the Kodak 35mm film Kodachrome...
" and "Loves Me Like a Rock
Loves Me Like a Rock
"Loves Me Like a Rock" is a 1973 song recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Simon wrote the song, which appears on his solo album There Goes Rhymin' Simon....
") and radio staples (as "Something So Right
Something So Right
Something So Right is an American television situation comedy which ran on two different networks during its time on the air, and in reruns on the USA Network for a number of years after its cancellation....
" and "Take Me to the Mardi Gras"). However, the album presents a very truncated version of the concerts he performed on this tour, which consisted of up to 24 songs. The album fails to note where the performances were recorded, although according to liner notes in a later Simon compilation, "Duncan" is from a London concert and "American Tune" was recorded in New York City.
Simon was joined by Urubamba
Urubamba (group)
Urubamba was a music group consisting of musicians from Argentina and Uruguay, founded in 1956 by Jorge Milchberg. Urubamba, at the time known as "Los Incas" introduced Paul Simon to Andean music in the mid sixties, and then toured and recorded with Simon .Urubamba featured the Argentines Jorge...
and the Jessy Dixon Singers
Jessy Dixon
Jessy Dixon was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pianist, with success among audiences across racial lines. He garnered seven Grammy nominations during his career....
, although the individual members are not identified either on the recording or on the liner notes. In addition to "Jesus Is the Answer", included on the album, Jessy Dixon also performed "What Do They Call Him" on tour, while Urubamba performed the instrumentals "Kacharpari" and "Death in Santa Cruz".
The album was Simon's first live release and showed him performing Simon & Garfunkel songs solo in concert for the first time. The variety of songs and richness of styles helped with the album's appeal. Most notable was Simon's fascination in the gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
, something that materialized in the arrangements on many of the songs, taking distance from Simon's classical folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
early style.
Near the end of the album, an audience member calls out for Simon to "say a few words." He replies: "Say a few words? Well, let's hope that we continue to live."
The album was a moderate success. It reached #33 in the US and was eventually certified gold by the RIAA. However, it failed to chart at all in the UK. Further, two of the live performances were released as a single as part of the promotion for the album: the breakthrough Simon & Garfunkel "The Sound of Silence
The Sound of Silence
"The Sound of Silence" is the song that propelled the 1960s folk music duo Simon & Garfunkel to popularity. It was written in February 1964 by Paul Simon in the aftermath of the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. An initial version preferred by the band was remixed and sweetened, and has become...
" as the A-side, along with Simon's debut single "Mother and Child Reunion
Mother and Child Reunion
"Mother and Child Reunion" is a song by Paul Simon on his album, Paul Simon , his first solo album after Bridge Over Troubled Water. It was released as a single on February 5, 1972, reaching #4 on the U.S...
" on the B-side.
Side 1
- "Me and Julio Down by the SchoolyardMe and Julio Down by the Schoolyard"Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" is a song by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon from his 1972 self-titled album.-Lyrical subject:The song is about two boys who have broken a law, although the exact law that has been broken is not stated in the song and has become a matter of some debate...
" – 2:47 - "Homeward BoundHomeward Bound (song)"Homeward Bound" is an American folk song written by Paul Simon, performed by Simon and Garfunkel, produced by Bob Johnston and recorded on December 14, 1965. The song describes his longing to return home, both to his then girlfriend, Kathy Chitty in Brentwood, Essex, England, and to return to the...
" – 2:45 - "American TuneAmerican Tune"American Tune" is a song written and first performed by Paul Simon. The song first appeared on There Goes Rhymin' Simon , Simon's second solo album following the breakup of Simon and Garfunkel...
" – 3:58 - "El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)El Cóndor Pasa (song)El Cóndor Pasa is a song from the zarzuela El Cóndor Pasa by the Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles, written in 1913 and based on traditional Andean folk tunes....
" (Simon, Jorge Milchberg, Daniel Alomía RoblesDaniel Alomía RoblesDaniel Alomía Robles was a Peruvian composer and ethnomusicologist. He is best known for composing the song El Cóndor Pasa in 1913 as part of a zarzuela, a musical play that alternates between spoken and sung parts, by the same name...
) – 4:08 - "DuncanDuncan (song)"Duncan" is the second song of Paul Simon's February 1972 album Paul Simon, his first solo endeavor after the dissolution of the duo Simon & Garfunkel. The song was also released as a single in July 1972 as "Duncan" b/w "Run That Body Down"....
" – 5:11 - "The BoxerThe Boxer"The Boxer" is a folk rock ballad written by Paul Simon in 1968 and first recorded by Simon & Garfunkel. It was released as the follow-up single to their number one hit "Mrs. Robinson", and reached #7 in the US charts. It later appeared on their last studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, along...
" – 6:11
Side 2
- "Mother and Child ReunionMother and Child Reunion"Mother and Child Reunion" is a song by Paul Simon on his album, Paul Simon , his first solo album after Bridge Over Troubled Water. It was released as a single on February 5, 1972, reaching #4 on the U.S...
" – 4:00 - "The Sound of SilenceThe Sound of Silence"The Sound of Silence" is the song that propelled the 1960s folk music duo Simon & Garfunkel to popularity. It was written in February 1964 by Paul Simon in the aftermath of the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. An initial version preferred by the band was remixed and sweetened, and has become...
" – 4:27 - "Jesus Is the Answer" – 3:28
- "Bridge over Troubled WaterBridge over Troubled Water (song)"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon & Garfunkel's album of the same name. The single was released on January 26, 1970, though it also appears on the live album Live 1969, released in 2008. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at...
" – 7:10 - "Loves Me Like a RockLoves Me Like a Rock"Loves Me Like a Rock" is a 1973 song recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Simon wrote the song, which appears on his solo album There Goes Rhymin' Simon....
" – 3:16 - "AmericaAmerica (Paul Simon song)"America", written by Paul Simon, is a song popularized by 1960s folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. It was included in their album Bookends, released on 3 April 1968, and is notable as one of the few rock records to have a completely unrhymed lyric....
" – 4:35
2011 Reissue bonus tracks
- "KodachromeKodachrome (song)"Kodachrome" is a song written and recorded by Paul Simon. It appeared on his 1973 album There Goes Rhymin' Simon.-Description:The song is named after the Kodak 35mm film Kodachrome...
" – 2:55 - "Something So RightSomething So Right (song)"Something So Right" is a song by Paul Simon. It was originally featured on his 1973 album There Goes Rhymin' Simon.In 1976, the song was recorded by Miami soul singer Gwen McCrae giving name to her album Something So Right....
" – 4:34