Paul Simon

https://www.laweekly.com/los-lobos-on-paul-simon-do-you-mean-zydeco-when-you-say-zy-decko/

It’s funny, I swear I heard Casey Kasem mention a lawsuit — or possible lawsuit — on American Top 40 around ‘86 or ‘87. I can’t remember the context, though, if he was introducing a Simon song or a Los Lobos song. But when I saw that Steve Berlin interview however many years ago I thought, “Oh yeah, I remember that.” I thought the lawsuit Casey mentioned might have had something to do with the production, which was all ‘80s-gated-drums awfulness.

you're thinking of this

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/los-lobos-steve-berlin-labels-paul-simon-a-jerk-alleges-graceland-snub/

oh wait, that's what the LA weekly link says too. sorry, i thought it was something different at first

Iirc, the initial lawsuit in the '80s was over "Gumboots", which was a pre-existing instrumentalk recording that Simon overdubbed lyrics on and then copywrited words & music to himself.

Graceland has more co-writing credits than any other Simon solo album.

which is to say: I think Simon played it pretty fair.

“Graceland” was one of the few CD’s my family owned when I was a kid - highly enjoyed it, but it’s also massively disappointing how much of it was stolen in some way from so many people - not just Los Lobos and Rockin' Dopsie (who weighed a lawsuit but decided it would be too costly) but above all Heidi Berg, and this is on top of the ongoing debate of cultural appropriation.

But true, in his defense, he granted quite a few cowrites. But I think it still falls short.

XP to Soto

Lawyers were involved., Lol.

I think he was generally more on the level with the rest of the African players on the album, but the Zydeco band who did the backing on "That Was Your Mother" also she's him and claimed an experience mirroring that of Los Lobos.

Ha, or what bird said.

But then again...

what was the controversy again, dq? was it that Ladysmith Black Mambazo weren't paid for appearing on the album or something?
― rener, Sunday, December 16, 2001 7:00 PM (twenty-one years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Paul Simon made the singers suck his dick
― Mike Hanle y, Monday, December 17, 2001 7:00 PM (twenty-one years ago) bookmarkflaglink

“Graceland” was one of the few CD’s my family owned when I was a kid - highly enjoyed it, but it’s also massively disappointing how much of it was stolen in some way from so many people - not just Los Lobos and Rockin' Dopsie (who weighed a lawsuit but decided it would be too costly) but above all Heidi Berg, and this is on top of the ongoing debate of cultural appropriation.

― birdistheword,

I suggest reading the Hilburn bio, which devotes a chapter to the question of sources, songwriting, publishing, local recording, and so on. At best I'll say Los Lobos didn't know what they were getting into when told they'd "jam" with Paul Simon.

It probably should be mentioned that Graceland was a real surprise blockbuster --Simon hadn't had a hit single in 5 years, and a big hit studio album in 10. Going in, few even thought this would be a course correction much less a license to print money.

that Myriam Gendron records is one of the best of this century

― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, June 9, 2023 12:19 AM (five days ago) bookmarkflaglink

otm

at any rate The Rhythm of the Saints is better.

You don't wanna know what Simon made those Brazilian drummers do to him tho.

we had a lot of fun
we had a lot of money

there's no... Proof

I suggest reading the Hilburn bio, which devotes a chapter to the question of sources, songwriting, publishing, local recording, and so on. At best I'll say Los Lobos didn't know what they were getting into when told they'd "jam" with Paul Simon.

― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, June 14, 2023 7:36 PM (one week ago) bookmarkflaglink

the fact that the dust jacket of the book makes it look like paul simon has hair tells me all i need to know about the trustworthiness of this bio as a source

Trust me as an expert in other people's trichotillomania.

Good seeing Seven Psalms on some year-end lists.

An inability to fall asleep in a cheap motel due to the loud sex that a couple is having next door sends Duncan off on a long reverie.

^^Underrated Gear! ILE thread title

I hope this Grammy weekend tribute to Paul Simon at the Troubadour was recorded.

Setlist:
Blind Boys of Alabama, “Loves Me Like a Rock”

Jason Isbell and Sadler Vaden, “Kodachrome”

Molly Tuttle and Ketch Secor, “Mrs. Robinson”

Natalie Lafourcade, “You’re the One”

Bobby Rush, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”

Ruthie Foster, “Slip Slidin’ Away”

John Vincent III, “The Only Living Boy in New York City”

Brett Dennen, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”

Larkin Poe, “Paranoid Blues”

Susanna Hoffs with Grace Bowers, “Hazy Shade of Winter”

Gaby Moreno, “Late in the Evening”

Silvana Estrada, “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)”

Sean and Sara Watkins, “Hurricane Eye”

Madison Cunningham, “Kathy’s Song”

Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton, “American Tune”

Johnnyswim, “Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War”

Marcus King, “America”

Allison Russell, “The Sound of Silence”

Dwight Yoakam, “The Boxer”

Jackson Browne, “I Am a Rock”

Rufus Wainwright, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

Rodney Crowell, “Graceland”

Finale, “You Can Call Me Al”

Part two:

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” from the @theTroubadour for @AmericanaFest’s pre-Grammy salute to “The Songs of Paul Simon” pic.twitter.com/yx9QqZiw9E

— Rufus Wainwright (@rufuswainwright) February 6, 2024

Jason Isbell and Sadler Vaden, “Kodachrome”

Fitting, as Patterson Hood's dad plays bass on the original!

That's a great lineup. Would have loved to see that last 6 song stretch in particular.

Rufus oh wow! <3

John Vincent III, “The Only Living Boy in New York City, New York, 10003, USA”

no rhythm of the saints appreciators among the bunch, apparently -- not my people!

(Yeah, I thought ‘City’ sounded odd at the end of that title, wondered if I remembered it wrong, but that’s from Variety.)

Anyone have MGM+?

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/15/entertainment/paul-simon-restless-dreams-review/index.html

The Paul Simon doc, IN RESTLESS DREAMS, is remarkable. I remember before going to work at the mill when I was 18, putting a quarter in the juke and playing "I Am a Rock" and "April Come She Will." Made another 8-hour shift more bearable.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 29, 2024

really want to see the doc!