THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS PRESENT "COVER ART: THE SPLENDOR OF THE COVER SONG," EP. # 4. TODAY'S HONOREE: THE SINGULARLY AMERICAN VOICE OF PAUL SIMON.

Paul Simon set the standard for a New American Songbook. Reviewing these selections one is struck by the elegance of his melodies - on a par with that other Paul from Liverpool, but with a lyrical sophistication to rival America’s Nobel Laureate poet, Bob Dylan. “America”, as performed here by David Bowie, presents a barren landscape, - mirroring the mundane with the spiritual - to rival the literary prowess of a Hemingway; and the classically inspired “American Tune,” as interpreted by the wizard of New Orleans, Allen Toussaint, quietly goes to the heart of our nation’s ambivalence. I can’t contain my tears whenever I hear it. Simon and Garfunkel were known as a unified entity. It took awhile for Paul to extricate himself from his childhood performing partner, Artie. Garfunkel, with his singular, choir-boy voice, needed Simon to provide the words for his divine instrument.  But Simon didn’t need Garfunkel, and if Artie’s acting ambitions hadn’t interfered with Paul’s musical ones, Simon might never have had the confidence to go it alone. Lucky for us it turned out the way it did. Because, since going solo, Simon has amassed a body of work that defines America’s last half century. Ray Charles: Still Crazy After All These YearsDavid Bowie: AmericaJustin Townes Earle: GracelandThem: Richard CoryWailin’ Jennys: Loves me Like a RockEverything but the Girl: The Only Living Boy in New YorkAnnie Lennox: Something So RightThe Blue Airplanes: The Boy in the BubbleBlossom Dearie: 59th St. Bridge Song Allen Toussaint: American Tune