I confess, I haven't paid much attention to Paul Simon's music for a while. Graceland has always been a favourite, however, and, on the strength of So Beautiful or So What, I guess I've been missing out on plenty. Simon's composition is at an even higher level, and his vocalsand extraordinary talent for choosing musicians to passionately deliver his songs all come together.
There's a magical and infectious vibe, and not one song you could call a dud. The melodies are to die for, from the hymn-like ballads that have been a Simon specialty, to funky world music beats. The instrumentation is an amazing, eclectic mix: dobro, fiddle, cello, kora, marimba, viola, flutes and celeste, all adding depth and rhythm. And in the driver's seat, the maestro himself. If there's a better album released this year it will have to be a cracker.
Stars: 4.5/5
