Greatest Hits: Shining Like A National Guitar - Paul Simon

I bought this album in the supermarket and the checkout woman told me she would be coming round my house to listen to it and then the supervisor, when she came back with the disc from the cigarette counter where I should have asked for it, told me I was getting something really, really good. I'm waffling, I know, but what words can do Paul Simon justice? This compilation has some of my favourite songs on it: 'Graceland', 'Me and Julio..', 'Still Crazy', the one with all the drumming from 'Rhythm of the Saints', 'The Obvious Child', 'Mother and Child Reunion' ... Actually the list goes on and on. Not all the ...  Read the complete review

I have borrowed this album from my friend and I'm still not willing to return her back yet. hehe.. Basically, this 19-song compilation picks some of the best spots in Paul Simon's solo albums. Pre-Graceland gems like Mother And Child Reunion, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, Late In The Evening, Slip Slidin' Away, Kodachrome and Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard, are welcomed nostalgic moments. The real highs, however, are the four cuts from his magnum opus, Graceland: the title track (a tribute to Elvis Presley), the played-to-death You Can Call Me Al, The Boy In The Bubble and Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes. Few things sound dated here and ...  Read the complete review

Greatest Hits: Shining Like A National Guitar - Paul Simon Nice to see Paul's solo work on offer in this compilation -though it's certainly not the first 'greatest hits' that has featured his solo work -for you who remember the only vinyl version (showing my age now -lol!!) If you don't have any of the albums that these tracks were taken from, then you could do a lot worse than using this album as your 'jumping in' point to familiarize yourself with an often (but not quite always) very talented songwriter. Highlights include - 50 ways to leave your lover -with it's wonderful snare drum motif, tongue in cheek lyrics and sudden mood ...  Read the complete review

Although the last thing Paul Simon needed was yet another "greatest hits" compilation, this collection stands out. The remastering quality is extremely high which is a distinct pleasure. The sequencing of the tracks appears to have been given a lot of thought, and unlike so many other works, this collection can be listened to as a whole album. The Graceland songs definitely stand out in terms of style but some of the earlier efforts are equally great. If you have all of Paul Simon's albums then this CD is of no real use to you but if you are a fan of his like myself but with none of his albums this collection is magnificent. Standout ...  Read the complete review