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Dan Epstein's avatar

Yeah. I'm with you on everything.

Except Sir Paul. The first time I watched the video, I though it sad. LIke Jeez, someone tell him it's time to hang it up? The second time I watched the video online I was incredibly moved to see and old man singing a wistful song about his childhood. And was moved. Kind of like when I hear Louis Armstrong doing "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans".

And, every time I watch Paul Simon do basically anything I am impressed by his remarkably clean perfect guitar playing. This morning listening to "American Tune"...I am simply gutted.

Thanks for a nice piece Jessica.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS5MNK0_X_Q

Hillel Schenker's avatar

I will just note that the first time I heard Paul Simon (and Art Garfunkel), I didn't even know it was them. They called themselves Tom and Jerry, and had a local hit in New York with "Hey, Schoolgirl" in 1957: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wkxsE0-04E. I started to listen to music when I was 13, and there were split sessions in junior high. I went from 8 to 12, and all my friends went from 12 to 4, so with nothing to do, I turned on the radio. Just in time for the arrival of Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles and....Pat Boone.

Norma B.'s avatar

Just to say that Paul Simon entertained my freshman class at Queens College--that was 1963. Wish I could remember the songs he performed but I do remember really enjoying his music and especially his guitar!

Liz Johnson's avatar

Thanks for sharing your writing. I enjoy reading your thoughts and especially your philosophical take on things.