The songs on In the Blue Light-- all of which have new lyrics which significantly alter their meanings (except as noted)-- are:
1. "One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor" (no lyric changes)
2. "Love"
3. "Can’t
Run But"
4. "How
The Heart Approaches What It Yearns"
5. "Pigs,
Sheep and Wolves" (changes are cosmetic)
6. "René
and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War" (just two words changed)
7. "The
Teacher"
8. "Darling
Lorraine" (one minor change)
9. "Some
Folks’ Lives Roll Easy"
10. "Questions
For The Angels" (very small changes)
They originally appeared on these albums:
There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973)
Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)
One-Trick Pony (1980)
Hearts and Bones (1983)
The Rhythm of The Saints (1990)
You’re The One (2000)
So Beautiful Or So What (2011)
What do you think of the album? Personally, I'm a big fan of the new René and Georgette Magritte. There were videos of him performing the new version live before the album was released and I liked them, so I was excited for the studio version. But when I finally listened to it on spotify, idk... It sounds a tad over-produced? I really like the live version.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice blog by the way. Please check out list of hot song 2021 in our website. Thank you!
DeleteMahasvara- Thanks so much for the compliment! I'll check yours out, too.
DeleteGeofanny-- I wrote this blog to explain Simon's songs, not to critique them. But, since you asked, I like the album. It's at once unnecessary and revealing. Like a director's cut of a movie, it's an artistic statement that says, "Given what I know now and an unlimited budget, here's how this REALLY should have gone."
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I hope it starts a trend. The Don Henley album "Building the Perfect Beast," (the hits, at least) I feel should be redone with real horns instead of synthesizers, for instance.
For some great re-interpretations of familiar songs, check out the webseries Postmodern Jukebox (it's on YouTube). It's songs from the rock era done in styles from the 1920s-50s.
I agree with the purpose of redoing the songs, and I'm not saying Paul shouldn't do it. He can do whatever the hell he wants and I will still be listening to all of them. It's just that I'm slightly disappointed after hearing the live version before the studio version was released.
DeleteAs for Postmodern Jukebox, I'm quite familiar with them, and I enjoy some of their covers.
Geofanny-- I understand what you mean about having different reactions to material depending on the timing and presentation. I didn't share your disappointment in this case, but I understand the idea.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I felt disappointed that he chose to revisit Can't Run But. I personally don't think it's his best work, and the Chernobyl reference makes it dated.
Is there a search option please?
ReplyDeleteAnon-- That would be great, if I knew how to create one. You should be able to find my write-up of any given song, however, just using Google.
ReplyDeleteHello Another Paul, love your blog. Would like to let you and your readers know that I am hosting an (early) Happy 80th Birthday Paul Simon Celebration on UVA's community radio station in Charlottesville, VA, WTJU.net, on Friday February 19, 2021 at 6 pm. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMs. Gibbons, I don't usually allow "advertisements" in this space, but in your case I will gladly make an exception!
ReplyDeleteHappy early birthday, Mr. Simon! Why wait for October?
Thank you so much! Indeed, why wait!
DeleteThanks a lot for your blog! Can I please ask if you know what the instrument / instruments are in Questions For The Angels (In the Blue Light Version). I'm curious as to the specific ones used from the 2 minutes 28 seconds point. The section with the instrument only lasts around 20 seconds.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for any feedback!
Anon: You're very welcome.
DeleteLooking at the instrument list in the liner notes for the song, the only thing I see that it could be is a harmonica, if a heavily distorted one. There is a twang to it that makes it sound like a jaw harp, but I don't see anything else on the instrument list that could make that sound, while the reeds in a harmonica might.
Also on the track are a harmonium and a chromelodeon, both electric keyboards, but those don't make the twang I'm hearing.