Music
Paul Simon has always been attracted to new kinds of sounds. From his early band Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s through solo albums like Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints in the '80s and '90s, up through his recent albums So Beautiful or So What and Stranger to Stranger, Simon has made music that does what the very best art can do: it resonates with our experience, re-frames it, and introduces new timbres and ideas.Recently, Simon’s curious mind has brought him into the world of contemporary classical music, mining the microtonal sound world of Harry Partch for his last record, and, just last month, collaborating with 10 composers and the ensemble yMusic on a set at the Eaux Claires music festival. On this episode of Meet the Composer – the final of Season Three – we hear Simon's perspective on his career and his most recent projects, as well as exclusive audio from the festival collaboration itself. Heard a piece of music on this episode that you loved? Find out what it was here: 0:18—Andrew Norman: Music in Circles | Listen2:23—Paul Simon: Insomniac’s Lullaby | Listen5:04—Simon & Garfunkel: Mrs. Robinson | Listen6:09—The Penguins: Earth Angel | Listen7:05—Tom & Jerry: Hey Schoolgirl | Listen7:48—Simon & Garfunkel: Sound of Silence | Listen8:13—Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water | Listen8:48—Paul Simon: Still Crazy After All These Years | Listen9:09—Paul Simon: Hearts and Bones | Listen10:00—Boyoyo Boys: Son Op | Listen10:41—Paul Simon: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes | Listen11:03—Paul Simon: Boy in the Bubble | Listen11:30—Paul Simon: Homeless | Listen11:58—Paul Simon: Graceland | Listen12:53—Ladysmith Black Mambazo: The Alphabet | Watch13:22—Paul Simon: Under African Skies | Listen14:50—Paul Simon: Crazy Love, Vol. II | Listen15:38—Eddie Palmieri: Ay Que Rico | Listen15:53—Various Artists: Hausa Street Music | Listen 16:06—Various Artists: Oru Para Todos Los Santos | Listen16:12—Various Artists: Songhay Gulu Drummers | Listen16:24—Paul Simon: Further to Fly | Listen17:08—Paul Simon: Obvious Child | Listen18:58—Marcos Balter: Bladed Stance | Listen20:56—Timo Andres: Safe Travels | Listen23:40—Harry Partch: Cloud-Chamber Bowls | Listen24:33—Harry Partch: The Bewitched, Scene One | Listen25:14—Paul Simon: Insomniac’s Lullaby | Listen26:27—Vincenzo Bellini: Casta Diva, from Norma | Listen27:58—Sergei Prokofiev: Cello Sonata in C major, op. 119 | Listen29:15—Paul Simon: Another Galaxy | Listen31:44—Paul Simon: Kathy’s Song | Listen32:14—Paul Simon: Train in the Distance | Listen32:44—Paul Simon: Train in the Distance [acoustic demo] | Listen35:08—Bob Dylan: The Ballad of a Thin Man | Listen35:34—Gabriel Kahane: Veda (1 Pierce Dr.) | Listen36:10—Paul Simon [arr. Gabriel Kahane]: Train in the Distance37:32—Danny Brown: Ain’t It Funny | Listen40:14—Paul Simon [arr. Robert Sirota]: America42:32—Simon & Garfunkel: Sound of Silence | Listen44:17—Simon & Garfunkel: America | Listen46:15—Paul Simon [arr. Rob Moose]: Sound of Silence