Harper Simon - Harper Simon
by Lisa Torem
published: 30 / 5 / 2010
Label:
Play It Again Sam
Format: CD
intro
Magical and brilliant self-titled debut album from Harper Simon, the son of Paul Simon
“She is juniper and roses/She is amethyst and pearl/And though she makes her home in Hollywood/She’s really just a Berkeley girl.” Harper Simon’s translucent character sketch, ‘Berkeley Girl,’ which frames delicate lyrics and melody-driven finger-picking is the 21st Century’s ‘Scarborough Fair’. But, brace yourself for this self-titled album’s other captivating studies. The vision of this Californian singer-songwriter was to “blend the great session players from the 60s” with current musical friends. Consequently, there was much collaboration on this album. But, this beauty was completely his own creation. ‘Shooting Star’ with its grounded thrush of “the northern winds have found their home/high above the timerberline” and ‘Cactus Flower King’, with more tranquil epiphanies, are also solo compositions and after the first listen, it becomes clear that Harper Simon has magically carved his name on the indelible songwriter tree of life. Simon also collaborates with his father Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher on the reflective‘The Shine’ and the tongue-in-cheek, but bittersweet ‘Ha Ha’ with which Petra Haden assists. Throughout the album, a breathtaking sense of place is firmly established: “One time I laughed all the way from Flagstaff, Arizona to Baton Rouge/Left a trail of one-liners in truck stops and diners….” 'Tennessee,' co-written by both Simons, is comical and inviting. The kicker is “I was born in New York City/But my mom’s from Tennessee.” Columbia Records Bob Johnston who produced ‘Nashville Skyline’ lends a truculent hand, as does Sean Lennon on 'Celeste', bassist Mike Leech, who performed on Elvis Presley's ‘Suspicious Minds’ and pianist Hargus “Pig” Robbins who jazzed up Patsy Cline’s ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’. Simon’s voice is tailor-made for the tunes, too. He adds levity and sombre timbre when required. But, the most impressive characteristic of this debut is that it covers a wide range of styles; country, blues, folk and eventraditional – the Shaker hymn ‘All To God’ – for instance, without sounding a foghorn. Harper Simon’s brilliant debut makes listening a down-right joy.
Track Listing:-
1 All To God2 Wishes And Stars
3 The Audit
4 Shooting Star
5 Tennessee
6 Ha Ha
7 Cactus Flower Rag
8 All I Have Are Memories
9 The Shine
10 Berkeley Girl
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/piasrecordingshttps://www.facebook.com/playitweb
http://www.playitagainsam.net/
https://www.youtube.com/user/playitweb
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart